This is Stavros’ story about how the Step-On ankle-foot-orthoses (AFOs) changed his life. He is a 25 year old man with Charcot-Marie-Tooth, a hereditary disease affecting the peripheral nerves of the legs, leading to weakness, poor sensation, muscle atrophy and other symptoms.

Stavros had been experiencing problems with his walking and balance, resulting in short walking distances and frequent falls, which were affecting his quality of life. After starting to use the Step-On AFOs he noticed an immediate improvement in his walking, which gave him back his independence from walking aids, better stability, stopped his falls and improved his overall quality of life.

Step-On active dynamic AFOs have some unique features, setting them aside from other off-the-shelf AFOs. Firstly, the stiffness of the AFO (which affects the ability to pull the foot and toes up) can be adjusted to the exact gait characteristics of each user and also continue to be adjusted as the user’s needs change over time. Secondly, Step-On AFOs offer an unparalleled range between 22 degrees of dorsiflexion (upwards movement of the foot) and 11 degrees of plantar flexion (downwards movement), which results in improved heel contact at the beginning of a step and better ground clearance to help prevent falls. This range of movement of the AFO also means that users can stand up easier from chairs, walk better up and down slopes, etc. Step-On AFOs have been designed specially and come with thick liners to ensure comfort and avoid high pressure points, which can be detrimental for patients with poor sensation.

If you would like to learn more about the Step-On family of active dynamic AFO’s or any of Brace Orthopaedic’s range of products, please call Customer Services on 0191 258 8944 where Cathryn or Iain would be delighted to help. Alternatively, please visit our website at www.braceorthopaedic.co.uk

#afo #steponafo #orthoses #orthotics #neuro #charcotmarietooth

Today is National Foot Drop Awareness Day in association with the National Foot Drop Society and all at Brace Orthopaedic are pleased to support this event and raise awareness of this condition.  Foot drop is a muscular weakness or paralysis that can make it hard to lift (dorsiflex) the front part of your foot and toes.  It is usually caused by conditions that affect the brain or spinal cord, such as stroke, brain injury (TBI) and multiple sclerosis.     

Brace Orthopaedic specialises in providing highly innovative orthopaedic products to the NHS and the patients they serve.  For three years now clinicians have been able to utilise the unique Step-On AFO family of products from Step-On International,that have changed the lives for so many of their patients.  Offering an active dynamic dorsiflexion assistance, it is possible for the clinician to fine tune the exact amount of assistance to optimise their patients gait and so minimise the issues their foot drop creates in daily living.  Over time we have shared many personal stories where Step-On has improved life considerably for a foot drop sufferer and we look forward to helping many more.

If you would like to learn more about the Step-On family of active dynamic AFO’s or any of Brace Orthopaedic’s range of products, please call Customer Services on 0191 258 8944 where Cathryn or Iain would be delighted to help. 

Alternatively, please visit our website at www.braceorthopaedic.co.uk or www.step-on-international.com

#nationalfootdropawarenessday #footdrop #Neuro #AFO #StepOnAFO

In May as part of Brace Orthopaedic’s monthly featured product campaign we are focusing on the unique Step-On Active Dynamic AFO range.

If you are a UK based clinician and would like to find out more about this product, then please contact Iain or Cathryn at sales@braceorthopaedic.co.uk or call 0191 258 8944 for further information or to arrange a product presentation.’

#afo #stepon #neuro #neurorehab

The CMRN event which took place on March 11th 2019 and was held at The Walton Centre in Liverpool. The centre provides specialist rehabilitation care for patients immediately after being admitted with trauma and other neurological injuries.  Support continues throughout their journey of recovery.  The Walton Centre is one of only three hospitals in England who provide hyper acute specialist rehabilitation treatment. The CMRN is a partnership between the area’s specialist regional inpatient rehabilitation units.

Brace Orthopaedic offers some of the most innovative orthoses for the upper & lower limbs and spine, used by trauma and rehabilitation units across the country. Clinical teams within the CMRN have been using many of the Brace Orthopaedics products, including the unique ‘Step-On’ active dynamic ankle-foot-orthoses with great success and shared some of those patient stories during the event.

Alex Falkonakis, Sales Manager for Brace Orthopaedic, commented: “We were very happy to sponsor the event and it was a great opportunity to network with many specialised clinicians from the North West and other regions. The CMRN teams were able to share their clinical expertise and discuss examples of unique clinical applications. This proved invaluable for many attending trauma and rehabilitation specialists, who were able to appreciate how technological innovations such as the spring-loaded hinges of the Step-On AFO’s translate into improvements in function, independence and quality of life for so many patients.”

If you would like to learn more about Brace Orthopaedic’s range of products, please call Customer Services on 0191 258 8944 where Cathryn or Iain would be delighted to help.  Alternatively, please visit our website at www.braceorthopaedic.co.uk

Every now and then, patients take the time and trouble to contact us at Brace Orthopaedic to extol the virtues of our products. This gives me immense satisfaction, as the whole purpose of Brace Orthopaedic is to source and supply unique orthopaedic braces and supports that have the potential to change people’s lives for the better.

Finding the right products to achieve this objective is a significant challenge, but it’s one that I’m committed to and I regularly travel internationally to find such opportunities. Three years ago I came across a Greek manufacturer with a product called Step-On – an ‘off-the-shelf’ AFO for the treatment of drop foot. It was a well-designed brace offering many advantages to others, but its standout feature was that it provided adjustable dorsiflexion assistance.

I quickly realised that Step-On was truly unique and had the potential to make a significant difference to people’s everyday lives. I am pleased to present here a patient’s real account of wearing Step-On.  His testimonial is a prime example of what we’re trying to achieve and confirmation that Step-On is revolutionary, and can make a substantial difference to the daily life of a user.

Stephen Seymour suffered a prolapsed disc in 2002 which resulted in spinal nerve damage causing drop foot. For nearly 16 years he’s struggled with his condition and not found the right brace to enable him to engage safely with his everyday life. A year ago, his Orthotist prescribed our Step-On 100LH and Stephen has never looked back.

Stephen Seymour:

“I’ve been prescribed different splints over the years and found them cumbersome and difficult to use and I more or less resigned myself to not being able to wear them.  I would often stumble and trip-over. But with Step-On it’s an entirely different story. It’s extremely comfortable to wear and easy to use. It’s lightweight and I can wear it inside my shoes and boots for work. Even though it’s lightweight and flexible – it’s still very durable, tough and well-made.

“The fit of Step-On is tailored to my needs, the adjustment of the hinge using the allen key is easy and effective. How I walk now is the best I’ve ever been able to walk since my injury. I would like to thank all concerned for Step-On and I highly recommend it. It has made a huge difference to my life and I’m sure it will help others like me with drop foot.”

The feedback we receive about Step-On from both clinicians and patients is remarkable and with it being the only ‘off-the-shelf’ AFO with adjustable dorsiflexion assistance, means that it’s in a category all of its own. Step-On is a truly unique product that makes a real difference to people’s lives – and I’m proud to be able to supply it.

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Step-On is a unique family of dynamic AFOs (Ankle Foot Orthoses) for the treatment of drop foot, designed and manufactured by the European Orthopedic Centre in Greece.

Sofia is a 42-year old woman. One year ago she had a road traffic accident with multiple leg fractures, which damaged the peroneal nerve on her right leg and left her with a foot drop. After leaving the hospital she was fitted with a Step-On 100 Lateral Hinge AFO.

The video below shows Sofia walking with and without the brace, in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings. Sofia used to feel insecure about walking, worrying that she would fall, or that she would sprain her ankle due to the poor muscle control after the paralysis of the peroneal nerve.

Sofia can now walk significantly faster and with a better walking pattern when wearing the brace. Especially when walking outdoors her balance is greatly improved, making her feel safe.

The unique Step-On AFOs are extremely lightweight ‘off the shelf’ products, offering adjustable dorsi-flexion assistance.  They are made from a highly versatile polypropylene, which offers the possibility to easily heat and shape the brace to the patient (if beneficial).

The Step-On AFO family of products cover all options, with the Single Hinge products available with either Lateral (100 LH) or Medial (100 MH) hinges, and for those patients that require a more stable solution there is the Dual Hinge (200 DH) solution.

Step-On International manages the international rights outside of Greece.  To apply for distribution please contact Clive Mitchell by emailing clive@step-on-international.com or calling +44 (0)7967 603792.

For Step-On product information please visit: www.step-on-international.com Share this with a friend or colleague