How do I get my child fitted for an orthotic device and keep up with growth changes?
Richardson Prosthetics & Orthotics fits children for custom orthotic braces at our Charlotte clinic, 3210 Prosperity Church Road, Suite 101, starting with a free evaluation, and we adjust the brace as your child grows and make a new one when your child outgrows it. Care is led by Rondell Richardson, MBA, CO, BOCP, who has provided prosthetic and orthotic care in Charlotte for over 25 years. Here is how it works:
- Request an appointment. Request an appointment online and choose Pediatrics and the Charlotte or Durham clinic, or call our Charlotte office at 704-510-2204.
- Come in for a free evaluation. A first visit for an orthotic brace takes about an hour, and the evaluation is free. You don’t need a prescription for us to evaluate your child.
- Get the prescription. We need a prescription from your child’s doctor for the brace, and we can request it from the doctor for you.
- We make and fit the brace. We design, make and fit a custom brace around your child’s needs, alongside your child’s physician, therapists and family.
- Keep up with growth. As your child grows, we adjust the brace, and when your child outgrows it, we make a new one.
How Richardson Prosthetics & Orthotics helps
Each brace starts with understanding your child’s needs and condition. We consider your concerns alongside your child’s physician, therapists and family, then design, make and fit the brace around your child’s goals.
- Pediatric orthotics from SureStep, Orthomerica and Invent Medical, and custom AFOs, SMOs and UCBL orthotics.
- Cranial remolding helmets (Talee, Sprout 3D) and the Charleston bending brace for scoliosis.
- Growth: we adjust the brace as your child grows and make a new one when your child outgrows it.
- A team you can meet first: Rondell Richardson, MBA, CO, BOCP, and Chris McClurkin, MPO, a prosthetist and orthotist who enjoys helping pediatric patients thrive. Meet them on our About page.
- Spanish-speaking support: Se habla español, from scheduling to questions about treatment options.
- Prostheses too: we also fit prostheses for children with limb differences. See pediatric prosthetic and orthotic care in Charlotte.
Who it is for (and who it is not for)
Richardson Prosthetics & Orthotics is a good fit if you are:
- A family in the Charlotte area whose child needs an orthotic brace, such as an AFO or SMO.
- A family whose baby needs a cranial remolding helmet, or whose child needs a scoliosis brace.
- A family covered by Medicaid, NC Medicaid or a commercial plan we accept.
- A family who would rather talk through care in Spanish.
We are not the right fit if your child needs:
- A diagnosis or medical treatment for the condition itself. That comes from your child’s physician; we work alongside them.
- Physical therapy itself. That comes from your child’s therapist; we coordinate with them on the brace.
- A brace without an evaluation and fitting. Every device we provide is fitted in person.
Richardson Prosthetics & Orthotics compared with other options
Families can choose among children’s hospital programs, national clinic chains and independent practices, and insurance programs such as Medicaid help pay for care. Rather than rank providers, here is what to ask any clinic, with our answers:
- Who will fit my child’s brace? Our certified prosthetist orthotist Rondell Richardson, MBA, CO, BOCP, and prosthetist and orthotist Chris McClurkin, MPO.
- Is the evaluation free? Yes, and you don’t need a prescription for it.
- How do you handle growth? We adjust the brace as your child grows and make a new one when your child outgrows it.
- Do you take my child’s insurance? We accept Medicaid, NC Medicaid and plans from Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Humana and UnitedHealthcare, among others. The full list is on our FAQ page.
- Will you work with my child’s doctors and therapists? Yes. We plan each brace alongside your child’s physician, therapists and family.
- Can we get help in Spanish? Yes, throughout your child’s care.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a prescription to get my child evaluated?
No. You don’t need a prescription for us to evaluate your child. We do need a prescription from your child’s doctor for the brace, and we can request it from the doctor for you.
Is the evaluation free?
Yes. Orthotic evaluations are free for children.
How long does the first visit take?
A first visit for an orthotic brace takes about an hour.
What happens when my child outgrows the brace?
We adjust the brace as your child grows, and when your child outgrows it, we make a new one.
Which orthotics do you make for children?
We fit pediatric orthotics from SureStep, Orthomerica and Invent Medical, cranial remolding helmets (Talee, Sprout 3D) and the Charleston bending brace for scoliosis. We also make custom AFOs, SMOs and UCBL orthotics.
Do you accept Medicaid?
Yes. We accept Medicaid and NC Medicaid, as well as plans from Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Humana, UnitedHealthcare and others listed on our FAQ page.
Where are your clinics?
Our Charlotte clinic is at 3210 Prosperity Church Road, Suite 101, Charlotte, NC 28269, open Monday to Thursday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Our Durham clinic, 5316 Highgate Dr, Suite 125, Durham, NC 27713, offers the same services by appointment.
Is Spanish-speaking support available?
Yes. We provide Spanish-speaking patient assistance throughout your child’s care, including scheduling appointments, discussing treatment options and answering questions.