Dorset Orthopaedic

Sports-teacher Neil Joisce suffered an injury over 10 years ago that stopped him playing semi-professional sports, but with a SAFO® from Dorset Orthopaedic, he continues to lead an incredibly active lifestyle.

In 2002, Neil was involved in a collision on his right knee whilst playing rugby that resulted in various ligament, tendon and nerve damage. Since the accident Neil has endured nine operations on his leg and one on his back. His injuries have resulted in ‘Drop Foot’ or ‘Foot Drop’ whereby the muscles that actively dorsiflex the ankle and foot have weakened, causing difficulty in lifting his foot up.

Neil received his newest SAFO (Silicone Ankle Foot Orthosis)from the Dorset Orthopaedic team in March 2013. The award-winning Orthosis supports the front of Neil’s leg down to the top of his foot. This helps Neil lift his foot whilst his leg swings during walking. Without the SAFO, Neil feels he could not keep up with his active lifestyle and career.

Neil now teaches Physical Education at the Hampshire Collegiate School near Southampton, where he originally studied. He is also Head of Boys Sports, Personal Social Health Education (PSHE) and has most recently been promoted to Head of Year, to commence in September 2013.

“The SAFO is vital for me to be able to do my job effectively. As a qualified sports teacher I need to be able to coach pupils, referee sports matches and stay active, the SAFO lets me do this.”

Before his accident Neil was a Semi-Professional Rugby player. Being able to partake in sports and be involved physically with his children Jack, aged 4 and Tom, aged 2, is very important to him.

“The SAFO has given me back a healthy everyday life. I can run, play golf and walk my dog with the SAFO. I can also chase after my boys. Jack has got a new bike and I can run alongside him whilst he learns how to ride as long as I put on my SAFO!”

Neil’s story has also featured on Enable Magazine’s website, read the full story here.

To read similar clients stories click here.

For more information on our products and services call +44 (0) 1425 481740 or enquire here.

Matt Mbanga’s Living Free Blog Entry 13 (April)

Matt Mbanga, who lives and works in a remote area in Africa, regularly puts Dorset Orthopaedic’s SAFO® through its paces. Matt chooses the SAFO to help him with the symptoms of ‘Drop-Foot‘ and regularly updates us on how he is getting on.

This is the 13th instalment of Matt’s Living Free SAFO blog: (Blog 1, Blog 2, Blog 3, Blog 4, Blog 5, Blog 6, Blog 7, Blog 8 , Blog 9, Blog 10, Blog 11, Blog 12)

“There are few things as gratifying as inhaling the glory of a setting sun over Lake Kariba – Zimbabwe’s 360km long wildlife, water paradise!”

The golden orb plunging into the depths of the sparkling horizon has a way of untangling life as you witness one of the most breathtaking experiences on the planet.

I have the privilege of renewing my passion for this river-washed veld in all its rugged majesty during an inspiring 4-day adventure. The abundance of this lonely expanse of eternity continues to fill my heart with fullness, and joy, and life! The silent waves lap the bough of my floating safari and waves of renewed hope nourish my soul.

When surrounded by such an untamed expanse something feral is awakened in you  – at least it has been in me. I have leapt into the murky waters from the top deck of the houseboat putting faith in my captain’s assurance that the crocodiles we saw basking on the banks would not attempt to attack in open water – they prefer to eat fish or attack small game along the banks!

The element of danger invites me to come fully alive and the frantic splashes of my fellow life-seekers treading water around me unlocks something central to our human existence. We were made for this, or if not this then something like it – something wild and free! No rules, no deadlines, just excitement, freedom, adventure, joy. No timetables, expectations or TV, no Internet, no news channels – real life, you and me, here and now. And the Matusadona mountain range and Big 5 African game as a backdrop!

I am thankful in many ways for the accident that almost cost me my life and has left me maimed for the last 10 years. Thankful obviously not for what I lost, but rather thankful that it freed me from the illusion that life is safe and predictable. It is not. I have no more power over whether I will live or die, on any given day, than I do in determining what animals I will see prowling, or drinking, or being stalked along the banks of the mighty Zambezi River that fills this inland ocean.

You and I may be from the opposite ends of the earth and have nothing in common other than our humanity, but wherever you are, and whatever you do today, choose life – come fully alive! You don’t have to go base jumping or kayak with hippos to live – you know what I’m talking about – maybe its simply walking across the room and telling your partner, or your child, or parent that you love them and promise to say it more often – life is too short not to.

Be courageous, be passionate, be adventurous – live!

If you try to save your life you will lose it (at least the true meaning of it as I have come to experience it), but if you give your life freely (to others and to the adventure of being alive) you will find it – and know the meaning of abundant life.

Live free!

Read other Client Stories here to find out how Dorset Orthopaedic has affected others.

Dorset Orthopaedic Founder and Managing Director Bob Watts made a SAFO for Mandy Sellars whose story ‘Shrinking my 17 Stone Legs’ featured on the Channel 5 series ’Extraordinary People’.

Mandy’s legs have grown uncontrollably throughout her life. In 2010, she developed blood poisoning in her left leg and had to have it amputated. The operation triggered even faster growth, resulting in her stump and right leg becoming three stone heavier.

Mandy visited Bob at our Ringwood Clinic to see how she could overcome her Drop-Foot which weakens the muscles that allow the ankle and toes to flex, causing difficulty in moving the ankle and toes upwards. She had no movement in her ankle since 2005, so following her assessment, Bob made a SAFO for Mandy.

A SAFO®, or Silicone-Ankle-Foot Orthosis, supports the front of the patients leg down to the top of the foot. This helps patients lift their foot while their leg swings during walking.

Dorset Orthopaedic will be attending the ACPIN (Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology) Conference on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd of March 2013.

ACPIN is one of the largest Professional Networks recognised by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. It is concerned with all aspects of physiotherapy related to the needs of neurologically impaired adults and their relatives and carers.

ACPIN is a dynamic and proactive group. Its function is to encourage the pursuit of excellence in the field of neurological physiotherapy practice.

The exciting two day conference of lectures aims to challenge current thinking and workshops to facilitate networking, discussion and debate.

Day 1 will focus on rehabilitation in the community setting

Day 2 will be an update on what’s new in MS research and practice

You will be able to find Clare and Laura at the conference exhibiting our SAFO and Orthotic products.

For more information feel free to contact us on +44 (0) 1425 481740 or email info@dorset-ortho.com.