LOC Cambridge Open Day 2025: neurorehab and innovation

The London Orthotic Consultancy (LOC) hosted its highly anticipated Cambridge Open Day on May 16th, a dynamic, in-person event designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, spotlight cutting-edge clinical developments, and highlight the expanding scope of orthotic-led rehabilitation. With a packed agenda and an engaged audience, the day proved to be a resounding success.

Held at our Cambridge clinic, the event welcomed orthotists, physiotherapists, surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, and others from across the region and beyond. The open day not only showcased LOC’s specialist services but also created space for discussion, networking, and hands-on learning, all central to our ongoing mission to deliver holistic, patient-centred care.

A warm welcome

The day began with welcome refreshments and a short introduction from Connor Mumford, Clinical Lead at LOC Cambridge. Connor highlighted the clinic’s mission to deliver patient-centred care and its growing role in the local healthcare landscape. “The aim was to bring people together in a collaborative environment,” he explained, “and to share how orthotics can support recovery and long-term outcomes across a variety of clinical conditions.”

Keynote highlights: the role of sports medicine in neurorehabilitation

Clinical insights into gait labs

Professor Saeed Forghany, Senior Orthotist and NIHR DSE Fellow in Health Data Science, followed with a talk on the clinical applications of gait labs. He discussed how gait analysis enhances assessment accuracy and treatment planning for lower limb conditions. His presentation included real-life case examples that demonstrated how objective data leads to better outcomes.

Hands-on learning: boxing in rehabilitation:

Attendees also took part in a dynamic workshop led by Rachael Hutchinson, Co-founder of Able2B Norwich. The interactive session focused on boxing and other physical training as rehabilitation tools, illustrating how structured movement can improve coordination, stability, and cognitive function in neuro patients.

Opportunities for networking:

Throughout the day, attendees engaged in informal networking sessions, exchanging experiences and discussing shared challenges in clinical practice. With a range of professionals in attendance from physiotherapists to paediatric specialists, the event fostered valuable cross-disciplinary connections.

Presentation: OSKAR in action

The afternoon began with a session led by Mr. Sam Walmsley, Clinical Director at LOC. His presentation focused on OSKAR, the Optimal Segmental Kinetic Alignment approach developed by LOC to treat lower limb instability and crouch gait in children with neurological conditions, particularly cerebral palsy.

Sam walked the audience through the clinical rationale behind OSKAR, including how it differs from traditional bracing. Through compelling patient stories and case outcomes, he demonstrated how OSKAR offers enhanced mobility, independence, and long-term musculoskeletal health.

This session generated significant interest, with many attendees commenting on the benefits of a structured, data-led framework like OSKAR to guide treatment planning. As the field of orthotics evolves, tools like this underscore LOC’s position at the forefront of clinical innovation.

Case study: the Agilik smart orthosis

Next, Connor Mumford presented a live case study showcasing the Agilik, a powered smart knee orthosis developed in Canada by Bionic Power and Thuasne and offered exclusively in the UK by LOC. This orthosis uses actuators to support both knee flexion and extension, a revolutionary approach for children with conditions like cerebral palsy who present with crouch gait.

Connor’s session provided an in-depth look at the patient journey, including initial assessment, device setup, and measurable improvements post-fitting. Attendees saw the orthosis in action, offering a rare opportunity to witness how wearable tech can genuinely transform movement patterns and quality of life.

As digital and smart technologies continue to impact clinical rehabilitation, the Agilik case study reinforced the need for clinicians to stay informed about emerging devices and their practical application.

The feedback we received has been overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees expressing interest in future workshops and training sessions. One clinician commented, “It was so helpful to see how LOC integrates with other disciplines to improve patient care. I left with practical ideas I can apply immediately.”

LOC is committed to continuing these conversations and building on the momentum of this first open day. We look forward to hosting more collaborative events and strengthening partnerships across the region.

The Cambridge Open Day 2025 was not just an educational event, it was a celebration of what’s possible when clinicians come together to share knowledge, challenge assumptions, and push the boundaries of patient care. With topics ranging from biomechanics to boxing, it showcased the diversity and dynamism of modern orthotic and neurorehabilitation practice.

We’d like to thank everyone who joined us in Cambridge, including our brilliant speakers, staff, and attendees. We look forward to seeing you at the next one.