Geelong Orthotics Aftercare And Resources

Come and see our team in their new building at Extra Depth Footwear, Unit 1/142 Little Ryrie St Geelong! Let them put a smile on your face as big as theirs with our new range of footwear.

For an appointment please call 5224 2216

We are inviting YOU to come and see our new purpose built clinic from 14th-18th of November. Receive professional advice and fittings by our team of footwear specialists, including expert Julie Hoeben who will be attending the clinic on Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th.

To mark this special occasion we are offering free shoe horns with every purchase! 

For an appointment please call 5224 2216

We are very pleased to welcome Kathy Paliaga to the team in the role of practice manager. Kathy is highly qualified for the position and comes with a wealth of knowledge to improve our practice and help maintain a high level of care for our patients. Kathy enjoys the great outdoors and spending time with her grandchildren.

Sam Palazzolo

We are also happy to announce the arrival of our new Orthotist, Sam Palazzolo. Sam graduated from Latrobe University earlier this year and is a great addition to the team. Sam enjoys the technical aspect of orthotics and will be managing our public patient case load at Barwon Health. Sam is a keen AFL supporter and is excited about his new role.

(Post Polio Health International 2011)

Ben recently attended a workshop run by Darren Pereira from NeuroMuscular Orthotics on the Horton Stance Phase Control Knee Joint for Knee Ankle Foot Orthotics (KAFO’s). The knee joint automatically locks and unlocks as the user walks, providing a more fluid gait pattern.

Patients wear KAFO’s for a variety of conditions but most symptoms include weakness or instability around the knee joint. This weakness causes the knee to bend uncontrollably when walking making mobilising difficult and at times unsafe. Traditionally a KAFO prescribed for this would have some kind of lock at the knee joint preventing it from bending and the knee giving way.

The new Horton Knee however, has a mechanism in it that will unlock the knee joint when no weight is going through the leg allowing the knee to bend and then locks when the leg touches the ground providing stability to the knee joint.

Darren Pereira from NeuroMuscular Orthotics on the Horton’s KAFO

It is essential that individuals are carefully assessed for the Horton Knee. The success of this technology relies on correct prescription, fitting and initial and ongoing training to enable the KAFO wearer to reach optimum potential.  Most often a Physiotherapist with experience in neuromuscular conditions and rehabilitation will be required for walking re-education. Geelong Orthotics works closely with several Neuro-Muscular Physiotherapists and can refer you if required.

Geelong Orthotics is the only accredited and trained facility in Geelong and the South West region to assess and fit the Horton Stance Phase Control Knee Joint.

Further information on the Horton Stance Phase Control Knee Joint can be found at the following web link.

http://www.stancecontrol.com/

Mr Ron Bell is an experienced user of the Horton’s and other Stance control KAFO’s. This You Tube clip highlights his walking pattern with and without the KAFO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBgRdNeJ9NU

Welcome to our new Blog.

We hope to use this area for both our patients and referrers as a resource for material that will be informative and interactive.

We will be posting Latest News events, Product Updates and Material or Links to keep you up to date with the latest information on Geelong Orthtotics and about commonly seen conditions.

We have also integrated  Facebook and Twitter.

We look forward to comments and suggestions as we grow and add to this area.

Ben McMurtrie- Director- Geelong Orthotics