Gill after her bespoke carbon fibre ankle foot orthosis (AFO) fitting
07 January 2025
A bespoke carbon fibre AFO has helped to transform Gill’s life, helping her overcome complex challenges and return to her favourite activities like gardening.
Gill was four years old when she developed Ewing’s Sarcoma (a type of bone cancer) in her left leg. Gill’s leg was saved, but to do so, her tibia (shin bone) had to be removed. The result was that her left leg was severely shorter than her right and she needed to have a 100mm raise in her shoe to enable her to lead any normal life.
In the following years, Gill’s leg became arthritic, and her ankle started to twist out of alignment. For a time, Gill continued to cope reasonably well thanks to a raised splint which fitted into her raised shoe. Eventually, it began rubbing her skin, and any activities that included walking any distance became a problem. It was clear that Gill required a new bespoke solution; this is when Gill discovered LOC’s clinic in Cambridge.
Gill (who makes musical instruments for a living) at work
Gill recalls, “My first impressions on the phone with LOC’s admin staff were fantastic, they were so friendly, listened to what I needed and immediately arranged a virtual consultation with Connor Mumford (the senior orthotist who heads up LOC’s Cambridge clinic).”
Orthoses (AFOs) made from carbon fibre are incredibly strong yet lightweight, making them easier and more comfortable to wear as it helps patients reduce their energy expenditure when walking. The reduced bulk also means it can fit within a wider range of shoes.
Gill's new carbon fibre AFO
Bespoke orthotic prescription is both an art and a science and, on occasion, a matter of trial and error, where feedback from the patient makes all the difference. Gill’s path to her optimal AFO (ankle foot orthosis) required multiple iterations and a strong partnership between clinician and patient.
Through scans, gait analysis in the Cambridge clinic’s video vector gait laboratory, and hands-on evaluations, Connor pinpointed the issues with her existing AFO, including pressure points and areas of instability.
Over several appointments, he made key changes to improve comfort and functionality:
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, an orthosis needs to be remade to achieve the best results. In Gill’s case, we remade her AFO multiple times, each iteration building on her feedback to address new challenges and fine-tune her device.
After each adjustment or remake, Gill tested her AFO in her day-to-day life—on walks to the river, visits to the coffee shop, and longer outings. Her honest feedback guided our process and ensured that every tweak brought us closer to the perfect fit.
Gill’s story highlights a key principle of orthotic care: sometimes, the best outcomes require multiple adjustments or remakes. While this process can take time, it ensures that the final product is truly customised to the patient’s unique needs. In Gill’s case, her carbon fibre AFO was made from what is called pre-preg carbon (pre-impregnated carbon fibre). It is both lighter and stronger than traditional, wet-laminated carbon fibre.
"From that first face-to-face appointment, Connor has always listened to me, and although he admitted that my needs were quite complex, he was confident he could find a solution. Connor and LOC have done such a great job for me. Even when he had to go back to square one, he remained very positive and encouraged me, saying ‘We’ll get this right together.’ I can now walk outside the house, potter in the garden without pain; my AFO fits perfectly, I wear it all the time when I am not at home. I was very impressed with Connor’s determination to get it right, bless him.”
Gil's bespoke carbon fibre ankle foot orthosis (AFO)
Gill managed to get funding for her AFO from a charity, The General & Medical Foundation, and she wanted us to mention them in this blog. Set up in 2018 and run on an entirely voluntary basis by David Wildman and Gillian Close, the Foundation has a simple objective: to support those whose lives have been affected by disease, illness or injury.
If you want to see how bespoke orthotics can help you, please book an appointment with one of our experienced clinicians today.
