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View our privacy policyAfter years of struggling with ill-fitting AFOs, Christopher found new freedom with two bespoke, carbon-fibre orthotic solutions, restoring his mobility and allowing him to get back to what he loves, like indoor climbing.
Christopher, a 23-year-old with spina bifida and a history of bilateral club-foot surgeries, had been struggling for years with ill-fitting NHS AFOs that left him unstable, uncomfortable, and unable to participate safely in the activity he loves most: climbing.
After attending our Manchester clinic, he was fitted with two bespoke sets of AFOs, one for day-to-day mobility and one specially designed to fit inside climbing shoes. With the right support and specialist equipment, Christopher is already back to climbing confidently and enjoying the freedom he feared he had lost.
Christopher has lived with the long-term effects of spina bifida his entire life, including reduced sensation in his feet and vulnerability to pressure-related problems. He was also born with bilateral club feet and underwent multiple corrective surgeries throughout childhood.
For many years, he relied on Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) from the NHS, but they couldn’t provide the control or stability he needed. The fit was often poor, which led to his knees buckling, difficulty standing, and recurring pressure around the arch area of his foot.
As a highly active young man who loves climbing, this instability soon became a major barrier. His AFOs could not fit properly inside climbing shoes, and without the right support, climbing became unsafe and eventually impossible.
“Chris can get back to doing what he loves and feeling able.”
Christopher's mum
When Christopher came to see us, Professor Saeed Forghany carried out a comprehensive assessment in our Manchester gait lab. This included:
The assessment highlighted several biomechanical challenges. These included hyperpronation, limited ankle mobility, reduced dorsiflexion, anterior pelvic tilt, knee valgus, and long-standing skin problems caused by poor pressure distribution.
It was clear that a standard AFO would not be enough. Christopher needed two bespoke, purpose-built solutions.
These were designed to support Christopher’s everyday standing and walking and to improve his knee extension, alignment and stability. They included:
To help Christopher return to climbing, a highly specialised AFO design was required. We designed him a pair of ultra-lightweight, slim, carbon-fibre AFOS with:
Several rounds of refinement ensured that each device offered optimal comfort, control and function.
When Christopher tried his indoor-climbing AFOs for the first time, he felt immediate comfort and stability with no pressure points. His mum later shared a message that captured the impact of his new orthoses.
“Thank you for being so patient and for not giving up. Sheer grit and determination on both parts, knowing the incredible difference the right equipment makes and the frustration that comes without or the wrong equipment.”
Christopher's mum
Just one week after fitting, Christopher was back at the climbing wall, moving with confidence and feeling able again. His family described how transformative the orthotics have been, restoring his independence, his stability, and his confidence in daily life.
Christopher now has the stability he needs for both everyday mobility and for the technical demands of climbing. With well-tuned, purpose-built orthotic support, he can continue doing the activities that matter most to him.
We are grateful to Christopher and his family for giving full consent to share their names, testimonial and video clips. Their determination, combined with the right orthotic solutions, has already made a significant difference, and we are excited to see what he achieves next.
Orthotics are crucial in supporting mobility, stability, and posture for children with spina bifida. With customised orthotic solutions and ongoing reassessment, children can gain greater independence and improve their quality of life.
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