Once an athlete, now an orthetist

PHOTO PROVIDED Erica Webster of Creative Orthotics and Prosthetics fits 3-year-old Salina Tanner with a prosthetic foot.

HAMMONDSPORT - As a former Hammondsport school district athlete and college athlete, Erica Webster is no stranger to sports injuries. Not only did she suffer a few bruises and strains along the way, she also witnessed injuries among her teammates and saw firsthand how braces could help an athlete gain additional support while the body healed.

That experience eventually turned into a passion for helping not only athletes, but also children and adults who need braces or artificial limbs. Now a certified orthotist and prosthetist, Webster has returned to her hometown as a member of Creative Orthotics and Prosthetics. "I always knew that I would come back to my hometown area to serve those in need," she says.

Webster's patients include Salina Tanner, a 3-year-old child who lost her foot in an accident. "When I first saw Salina and her mother," Webster recalls, "there was concern as to whether or not Salina would be able to return to the active life of a 3-year-old. I reassured her mother that I would be able to provide a new foot that would allow Salina to run and play again. Salina has since been fitted with a prosthesis decorated with Care Bears, allowing her to run and play."

Beyond prosthetics, Webster sees many cases that can be addressed through orthotics. Extradepth shoes can be used to protect a diabetic's foot, and a custom shoe can fit a patient with an unusually shaped foot. Orthotics also deal with off-the-shelf and custom bracing for ligament injuries of the ankle or knee, osteorthritis of the knee, back pain, fractures and post-surgical needs.

Creative Orthotics and Prosthetics has clinics throughout western New York, including Ira Davenport Hospital. "The locations allow me to work closely with the physician and physical therapist," says Webster. "It creates a beneficial clinical team for the patient. One of my goals is to provide patients with a high level of care as conveniently as possible. With the clinics at these local hospitals, I can do that."

Webster can be contacted by calling 800-784- 7215 for an evaluation. Creative Orthotics and Prosthetics participates with all insurances.