Cornerstone Prosthetics & Orthotics
Restoring Function through Advanced Prosthetics and Orthotics

Returning to cherished activities such as hiking a mountain trail or surfing in a vast ocean can seem like a dream for those who have undergone amputation.

Cornerstone Prosthetics & Orthotics is making this a reality by using the newest technologies to provide the highest standard of prosthetic and orthotic care.

At the heart of this achievement are the company’s American Board for Certification (ABC)-certified practitioners, who undergo continuous training on new technologies and products. To enhance their skills, Cornerstone Prosthetics & Orthotics invites various vendors, manufacturers and product developers to their facilities for hands-on training sessions.

This expertise is enhanced by Cornerstone’s status as a residency and teaching site, which hosts students from local university programs and a residency program for clinicians to become board-certified and licensed. The diverse backgrounds of residents and senior staff, along with their commitment to advanced patient care, foster a collaborative problem-solving approach that addresses each patient’s unique challenges.

The integration of advanced manufacturing techniques at their own 10,000-square-foot centralized fabrication facility further enhances the quality of care at Cornerstone. The use of 3D printing technology allows for the production of highly accurate and efficient custom-fit devices. This not only improves the fit and comfort of patients but significantly reduces the time required to deliver these devices. Additionally, the application of CAD/CAM technology in the production of ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) and knee-ankle-foot orthoses ensures more precise anatomical shaping and corrective force application.

This method improves the overall functionality and effectiveness of the braces.

All of Cornerstone’s services are clinical based. Whether a patient needs an ankle brace or prosthesis, when a physician refers them, Cornerstone does a full clinical evaluation and custom designs everything bespoke for the patient by manufacturing everything in house.

One of Cornerstone’s flagship products is Dynamic Brace, a specialized carbon fiber brace designed to cater to two specific patient groups—those recovering from orthopedic injuries or trauma to the ankle and individuals seeking relief from persistent pain following surgery. This brace represents the pinnacle of advanced carbon fiber bracing technology. The Cornerstone Dynamic Brace incorporates a patella tendon bearing offloading system and a specialized posterior dynamic element modular spring system. This combination controls and offloads the ankle, providing energy return and biofeedback to the user as they walk or run. The brace’s footplate uses prepreg lamination—a manufacturing technique where carbon fibers are pre-impregnated with resin—resulting in thinner, stronger footplates that fit effortlessly into shoes.

“We custom-build each prosthetic device for our clients’ needs,” says Mike Smith, director of clinical operations. “Every patient has different challenges in their life, whether that be in their personal life, their work life or activities of daily living. It’s our job to come up with unique solutions on how to solve these problems and help them achieve their mobility goals.”
One poignant example of Cornerstone’s dedication is the case of a pregnant above-the-knee amputee. She was deeply concerned about navigating motherhood safely with her existing prosthesis, fearing the possibility of tripping or falling while caring for her baby. Cornerstone addressed her apprehensions by customizing a prosthesis that accommodated her body changes during pregnancy and integrating a new microprocessor knee unit. Through a thoughtful trial process, the team allowed her to explore various options until finding the perfect fit. After the birth of her child, she expressed profound relief, confident in her ability to care for her baby without the fear of accidents. Moments like these underscore the profound impact the company’s work has on people’s lives.

Cornerstone’s team embraces the principles of lean manufacturing, which emphasizes continual improvement. Each day, they scrutinize their processes, asking, ‘How can we make this better?’ Daily meetings are held to discuss potential improvements and innovations. They consistently reevaluate their methods, identify intriguing problems, collaborate on solutions and advance their practices. This relentless pursuit of excellence ensures they never become complacent and always strive for better results.