Orthotics expert started learning about them at an early age

Henry Orthotics in Comox has recently changed its name to SOS Orthotics, legal name Strathcona Ortho Solutions Ltd.

SOS ORTHOTICS OWNER Trevor Pritoula works a new scanner unit at his Comox business. He is pictured with client Ozzie Vezina.

SOS ORTHOTICS OWNER Trevor Pritoula works a new scanner unit at his Comox business. He is pictured with client Ozzie Vezina.

Henry Orthotics in Comox has recently changed its name to SOS Orthotics, legal name Strathcona Ortho Solutions Ltd.

Eugene Henry, whose name has been synonymous with orthotics in Campbell River and the Comox Valley, is transitioning into retirement and conducting business solely out of his Campbell River office.

Trevor Pritoula joined Henry’s office in 2005 to be the primary clinician and to better service the Comox Valley. Pritoula has worked in many facets of the orthotic industry — including education, research and fabrication — but enjoys the patient interaction and work involved with clinical practice.

His combined qualifications of a kinesiology degree and Canadian certified pedorthic designation have complemented the services provided by Henry since he opened the Guthrie Road business six years ago. Although the name of the clinic has changed, Pritoula is committed to offer the same, if not better service and successful treatment for his clientele.

Aside from his qualifications, Pritoula knows firsthand how orthotics work to treat and prevent specific problems: he has worn them faithfully since the age of 12 when his parents, upon noticing his flat feet, had him fitted with orthotics.

SOS Orthotics has a solid reputation in the general and medical communities to provide successful treatment outcomes, and to help educate clients about specific problems as well as preventive measures and medicine.

“Our focus is always to identify the contributing factors through a thorough assessment and correct each of the problems to encompass better overall function,” Pritoula said.

The SOS Orthotics team consists of a Canadian board-certified pedorthist, kinesiologist and support staff, all of whom are experienced veterans with a sincere commitment, professional/product expertise, and service excellence.

The business offers a variety of services to treat and address all lower extremity problems, including toe splints, compression therapy/stockings, custom/non-custom orthotics (footbeds), footwear and footwear modifications, along with a variety of knee and ankle braces.

“Using the different ‘tools in our tool box,’ we continually provide positive treatment outcomes for a variety of sport, trauma, or general lower extremity injuries or symptoms,” Pritoula said.

SOS Orthotics also carries a cutting edge, 3-D digital foot scanner, the only one of its kind in the northern area of the Island. Scanner technology is based on the same principles and obtains a virtual image of the foot contours in a corrected alignment as the traditional plaster casting methods for fabricating a custom foot orthotic.

Most of our clients are referred by their primary health care provider or specialist — physicians, orthopedic doctor, physiotherapist, chiropractor and massage therapists to assist in the treatment of a specific lower extremity problem.

SOS Orthotics is a fully accredited clinic and Pritoula is a member in good standing with College of Pedorthics of Canada and The Pedorthic Association of Canada.

To learn more about pedorthics, visit http://www.pedorthic.ca/ or http://www.cpedcs.ca.

SOS Orthotics is located at 110-2100 Guthrie Rd. Call 250-339-5892. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Evening and weekends available by appointment only.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Comox Valley Record