Client Stories and Reviews
November 2024 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“We love the team at Access Orthotics. They came highly recommended by our physio, and it’s well worth the drive from Sydney. The AFO’s are high quality and have significantly improved my son’s pain. Thank you.”
October 2024 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“After previously accessing orthotic support via a public hospital clinic, the experience at Access Orthoptics was so very different. From making the appointment, to the lovely welcome sign for my daughter, to talking through the history and having the assessment with Rachel. The entire process has been smooth sailing, to have the time and quiet space to discuss the issues and hear the possible options was great. Rachel’s consultation and assessment process had my daughter and I feeling heard, reassured and part of the process. It lifted such a heavy weight from my shoulders as a parent and I can’t thank everyone we have met enough for their time and care.”
July 2024 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“An exceptional team. Easy access to building, lots of parking, friendly staff, great consultants who put you first, easy to deal with and not stressful when it comes to NDIS requests and requirements. Access Orthotics team do care and always goes out of the way to meet everyone's needs and quick turnaround with their product. Highly recommend.”
May 2024 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“We have been extremely happy with Access Orthotics and would happily recommend them to other families. We have tried several other places over the years for our daughter’s orthotics, but we have definitely found Access Orthotics the most innovative and supportive in their approach.”
April 2024 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Tamra and the team at Access Orthotics are very professional and impeccable in their work. Tamra is always striving to find the best solution for my daughter’s needs and will do whatever it takes to perfect the AFO’s, with as many adjustments needed. She is the most innovative in the industry and always striving to learn and improve on the current technology available. Very highly recommended!”
March 2024 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“We have found the team at Access Orthotics really helpful in providing suitable AFO’s for our son. Rachel always makes him feel comfortable and has helped us troubleshoot some difficulties with shoes and find good solutions. Appointments are easy to make and the kids love playing in the waiting room too!”
Meet Bree
Bree’s Perspective
What has been your orthotic journey so far?
“My orthotic journey has been quite difficult until I found Charlotte at Access Orthotics. My new AFOs drastically improved my standing and posture, which I am so grateful for.”
What difference do your different orthotic interventions make to your day-to-day life?
“As an inspiring nurse and para-athlete, I love utilizing my new leg braces along with working towards my goals.”
What advice would you give to other clients starting the journey of orthotic care?
“The advice I would give is to not let your disability be in the way of achieving your goals.”
Bree’s Orthotist Perspective
Bree first came to Access Orthotics in April 2022 for an initial assessment after researching orthotic practices online. Bree loves dogs and was particularly drawn to us by our clinic dog! Bree’s goals at the time were to improve comfort in her AFOs, improve her gait, protect joint alignment, reduce chronic pain and improve stability to allow her to have increased independence.
Since Bree has been under our care, we have fitted her with bilateral custom-made rigid AFO-SMOs for day use and prefabricated carbon fibre AFOs to utilise at the gym.
Since utilising our AFOs, Bree has reported improved comfort and foot posture control, improvement in gait “I’m able to stand tall like a giraffe”, reduced chronic hip and back pain, and improved stability. Bree’s prefabricated AFOs have allowed her to keep active in the activities she enjoys while also providing her with the support she requires for these activities.
We look forward to continuing to work with Bree and having her joyous personality in clinic as we work with her to help her meet her ongoing goals.
Meet Harry
Harry’s Mum’s Perspective
What has the journey to Harry being able to stand and step by himself looked like?
“The journey has been hard for Harry but very rewarding in seeing his progress and development. Wearing his AFOs has increased his confidence in both standing and stepping.”
What challenges have there been in getting into a routine of using orthotic interventions?
“The challenges have been wearing them for long periods of time whilst getting used to them, the stretching side of things has been the most challenging for Harry.”
What advice would you give to parents starting the journey of orthotic care for their child?
“Persistence definitely! As much as it hurts seeing them in discomfort as they get used to their orthotics, the long-term progress is rewarding and to see them walk, stand and step with confidence, makes it all worthwhile.“
Harry’s Orthotist Perspective
I first met Harry when he was 3 years old. At the time he was unable to stand still and walked very unstably up on his toes.
Harry has significant plantarflexion contractures and challenges with spasticity which his multidisciplinary team has worked together to help manage.
We have made various iterations of AFOs for Harry over the years but it got to a point where he was struggling to tolerate anything due to his contractures.
We needed to come up with a solution to protect Harry’s midfoot and current range of motion as much as possible.
I worked closely with Harry’s family, his physiotherapist, and the team here at Access Orthotics to work out an orthotic solution that would best support him toward his goals of standing and walking by himself in preparation for starting school.
We ended up making new AFOs for Harry that accommodated his extreme ankle contractures and extended the footplate to simulate the actual length of his feet if they were flat on the ground to increase his stability (AAPF30 SVA10 Rigid Functional Foot Length).
We had to think outside of the box in terms of our normal designs to make sure Harry had the best chance to safely walk and stand.
Harry has now started school and is able to stand still confidently and takes very beautiful even steps for his stage of development.
We continue to work very closely with his family and physiotherapist to manage and monitor his range of motion and regularly review if we are providing the best care for Harry’s current needs.
It has been a pleasure to see Harry progress to be able to mobilize independently. I really enjoy getting to know his family and continuing to support him toward his ongoing goals.
Meet Arlo
Arlo’s Mum’s Perspective
What has been Arlo’s orthotic journey so far?
“Arlo first got his SMO ring supports and AFOs with rigid forefoot a year ago. Arlo goes to preschool 3 days a week and when he is there he wears his SMO rings inside and his AFOs outside when playing. We have found this works as the SMO rings were easier to get up and down and play different level activities. With the AFOs he got used to running, climbing, and being involved in outdoor activities. I feel these 2 supports have been very beneficial. This year we have changed to a flexible forefoot design on the AFOs. I have noticed that these have made it easier for Arlo to get up and down.”
How have Arlo’s different orthotic interventions helped him meet his goals?
“I think the 2 supports have helped Arlo with his balance and control while walking, running, and climbing.”
What advice would you give to parents starting the journey of orthotic care for their child?
“When they first wear them, I found it emotional to see how obvious it was that Arlo needed the extra support that he needed. Both last year when he first wore these supports and at the beginning of this year, Arlo looked like he was not in control of his walking. But after a while of wearing them, Arlo got used to them and has more control with his movements. Give it time for your children to get used to their new supports and you may see something good.”
Arlo’s Orthotist’s Perspective
Arlo first came to see us at 3 years old following a referral from his physiotherapist. Arlo enjoys running, jumping, walking and climbing but had reduced balance and stability due to low tone which was resulting in daily falls and fatigue.
Arlo’s initial goals were:
Improve balance and stability in gait to reduce falls
To reduce fatigue through energy efficiency in gait
To protect and control Arlo's foot posture and knee alignment as he grows
To assist Arlo in keeping up with his peers
We discussed fitting Arlo with two different orthotic prescriptions to allow him to meet his goals.
We fitted Arlo with bilateral custom-made SMO rings to utilise for balance exercises with physio and to also provide Arlo with improved foot posture control and balance for climbing, jumping and floor play.
We also fitted Arlo with bilateral custom-made rigid AFO-SMOs with a fixed forefoot initially to improve his biomechanics in gait therefore improving energy efficiency and fatigue. They provided improved stability and alignment to protect his foot posture and knee alignment as he grows.
At Arlo’s recent scanning appointment we changed Arlo’s AFO design to have a flexible forefoot which has improved coronal plane rotation as well as making running, jumping and climbing easier in his AFOs.
Arlo has had a significant reduction in falls and finds it easier to keep up with his peers since accessing our services. We look forward to continuing to work with Arlo to achieve his goals.
