The 4th and 5th March 2020 will see renowned physiotherapist Elaine Owen MBE MSc SRP MCSP and LOC’s Orthotist Anna Courtney attend the 46th annual symposium of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP 2020). LOC has been working with Elaine since 2015.
Elaine will be presenting twice during the symposium. On the 4th of March, she will deliver a practical workshop for delegates on AFO alignment and Ankle Selection. On the 5th March, she will introduce delegates to the OSKAR framework, a methodology developed within ICF guidelines that optimise rehabilitation for children with lower limb neuromuscular conditions caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida.
In addition, a new paper co-authored by Elaine, Sam Walmsley and Anna will be unveiled: Counterintuitive but True - Plantarflexion Alignments in Walking AFOs can Increase Calf Muscle Length. The paper challenges accepted wisdom that using plantarflexion ankle alignments in AFOs might cause loss of calf length and conclude that on the contrary optimally designed and aligned fixed ankle AFOs can increase calf muscle length when combined with the knee extended walking activity.
If you are interested in finding out more about our work in these areas, visit our gait laboratory page and our OSKAR page, or contact LOC directly.
Working with LOC and Elaine has been a great experience – they really take the time to look at your child and understand their individual challenges and needs. For parents who are in the same position that we were, I would say do your research – see what clinics are available near you and what the costs are, but my feeling is it’s worth every penny.
Mother of son with Cerebral Palsy
After 10 years of daily physiotherapy and swimming, not to mention SDR, hamstring and tendon lengthening, we have finally achieved independent walking – it was a mother’s day gift that would take some beating.
Mother to Aran, SDR patient
LOC’s video vector technology measures exactly where Austin’s weight is being distributed, how his hips are moving and how his legs are moving. It’s those insights that have made his new AFOs so effective. Even within a few days, LOC’s splints have had more impact on his independence of movement than anything else we have done.
Austin, 5 year old CP patient
Since his new orthoses, his change has been remarkable. He is more mobile and can walk independently. Jason is now walking indoors and outdoors and is unrestricted. He is now properly enjoying the summer sunshine for the first time in a few years with no complaints of pain.
Jason's mother upon his new AFOs
It has been a breath of fresh air – LOC’s ability to accommodate Sophie’s circumstances and manufacture her orthotics so quickly has taken a huge amount of potential stress away. Alan talks to Sophie as well - she looks forward to seeing him. He has even been able to fulfil her request to have her SMOs decorated with unicorns! It makes her feel special and much happier about wearing them.
Sophie's father, SDR patient
I can now go a mile without having to stop, so it is a lot better and I’m walking in a regular pattern now. The orthotic fits perfectly because LOC took proper mouldings and photographs; they were very thorough.
John, post Polio patient - (Carbon Fibre KAFO)
Amelia was always looking for something to hold on to, now she runs around. Sam really puts in that extra effort to make the clients happy. I’d recommend LOC because they have all the equipment and extremely professional staff who have been trained by world-renowned physiotherapist Elaine Owen.
Paulo, Amelia's father - CP patient
Lilac just flits about now. Every day she's getting stronger and our expectation now. We are absolutely with The London Orthotics Consultancy for the long haul now. We’ve found a business that can provide what we need and who we trust, and it’s the trust that's the most important thing to us.
Leila, Lilac's mother - SDR patient
My left knee hyperextends and Sam felt he could improve that condition with a different design of brace and also improve my gait with some other adjustments. The brace was such a success that I used it solely after receiving it. I am most thankful to Sam and his colleagues for their dedication to my case and their prompt assistance, which changed a potential disaster into a great tourist visit.
John, adult Orthotics - KAFO
Multidisciplinary teams in business will sit down together and discuss a project with all parties concerned, each adding their particular expertise and insight. This is what it is like at London Orthotic Consultancy (LOC) but on a more personal level: Teamwork is evident. The camaraderie and mutual respect are undeniable. The attention to the smallest achievement is uplifting.
Jacqui, Zack's mother - CP patient
The orthotics help support my foot. Not only that, they have endured daily use, training for the Marathon des Sables, the race itself and they are still going! I am amazed that they survived the MDS and they are still being used today.
Ellen, Marathon runner
