Shaping the future: See you in Cologne!

On October 24 and 25, Cologne will once again be the meeting place for the worldwide community of pedorthists. All important partners from the industry will be presenting their products and services at ORTHOPÄDIE SCHUH TECHNIK - International Trade Fair and Congress. Scientific findings on foot care will be presented at the congress and future strategies for the trade will be discussed.

“ORTHOPÄDIE SCHUH TECHNIK - International Trade Fair and Congress” has developed into the world‘s most important trade fair dedicated exclusively to orthopedic footwear technology. Since its launch in 2011, the number of visitors and exhibitors has increased continuously. Pedorthists from all over the world will meet again at the 8th edition in 2025 to find out about the latest trends in technology and the treatment of foot problems.

At the trade fair, you will find a large selection of national and international suppliers from the industry: from materials, aids, machine technology and new measurement and production technologies to comfort shoes, podiatry suppliers and service providers from the industry.

The two-day congress with about 25 specialist lectures and almost as many seminars offers a complete overview of orthopedic footwear technology and provides decisive impulses for the further development of the trade and the link to related fields of work.

Congress

This year, the congress will focus on two main topics:

Myths and facts

The treatment of foot problems is based on ideas about how the foot functions biomechanically and what effect can be expected from interventions - medical or pedorthist – based on this understanding.

But are our ideas about the foot and its function still in line with current research findings? Which of our ideas about the foot and the correct treatment are still tenable according to current scientific findings, or do they need to be reconsidered or abandoned? And what consequences does this have for pedorthists in the treatment of foot problems?

Shaping the future

Pedorthics faces many challenges: Health insurance companies and therefore reimbursement prices are under pressure in many countries. In many places, there is a shortage of skilled workers, which is forcing new solutions in the manufacture of assistive devices.

Digital technologies can be helpful here, but they are also increasingly enabling providers and investors from outside the industry to enter this market. How is the trade changing as a result? What are the qualifications of pedorthists if their products can also be manufactured by machines or external service providers?

Despite all the challenges, the chances are very good that the pedorthist will continue to play the main role in the treatment of foot problems in the future. This is because he is the specialist for movement, combining medical and biomechanical knowledge with expertise and experience of materials and the many ways of manufacturing an assistive device individually for a patient. Instead of complaining about the current situation, it is therefore important to shape the future with a new self-image as a trade. We will shed light on these questions with renowned experts from science and the trade. Be part of it. Bring your knowledge up to date and join in the discussion.

(see also Call for Abstracts)