Custom upper- and lower-limb orthoses and braces
We make upper- and lower-limb orthoses and braces to your measurements, from an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) to a full knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO), always in line with your doctor's instructions.
Orthoses & braces
C-Brace: Ottobock's microprocessor-controlled leg orthosis
The Ottobock C-Brace is a microprocessor-controlled leg orthosis (KAFO). It controls the knee in every phase of the step and opens up new possibilities for movement in everyday life.
- Microprocessor knee control at every step
- Step-over-step stairs, slopes and uneven ground
- Small and light, worn under clothing
- Adjustments via a smartphone app
- Assessment and fitting in Thessaloniki
The Ottobock C-Brace is a microprocessor-controlled leg orthosis. According to the manufacturer, it is the first orthosis to control the knee in both the stance phase and the swing phase of the step. At Hlamidis Orthopaedic Center we work with Ottobock and take care of the assessment, making the components to your measurements, and the fitting.
Who it is for
The manufacturer designed it for people with partial or complete paralysis of the muscles that straighten the knee (the quadriceps), for example after polio or with incomplete paraplegia caused by a spinal cord injury. If you currently use a conventional brace with a locked knee, the C-Brace may be an alternative. Whether you are a suitable candidate is decided after an assessment, together with your doctor.
It is worth asking about the C-Brace if, with your current brace, you avoid stairs or downhill slopes, tire quickly when walking, struggle on uneven ground, or would like to sit down without unlocking the knee.
What changes in everyday life
Unlike a conventional KAFO, the C-Brace does not keep the knee permanently locked. Its sensors “read” your movement in real time and adjust the resistance of the joint. This means you can:
- sit down in a controlled way,
- walk up and down slopes and inclines,
- walk on uneven ground,
- walk down stairs step over step, one foot on each step.
The sensor technology makes walking more dynamic and responds to everyday situations, so that you feel safer, more stable and more confident.
C-Brace or conventional brace?
| Feature | Brace with locked knee | C-Brace |
|---|---|---|
| Knee when walking | Stays locked | Bends in a controlled way, depending on the phase of the step |
| Sitting down | Needs to be unlocked | Controlled |
| Stairs and slopes | Difficult, one step at a time | Step-over-step descent, slopes, uneven ground |
| Adjustments | Mechanical, in the workshop | Also via a smartphone app |
A locked brace provides stability, but it can lead to muscle wasting through inactivity, higher energy use and a less natural gait. The C-Brace aims to provide stability without these limitations.
Advantages
- Smaller and lighter: it is worn under clothing and takes less effort to walk with.
- Smartphone app: the user can change the joint settings, for example to switch to cycling mode.
- More natural gait: the knee bends in a controlled way under load instead of staying locked.
How we get started
- First meeting: we discuss your history, the brace you use and your goals.
- Suitability assessment: together with your doctor, we look at whether the C-Brace suits your case.
- Manufacture and fitting: the orthosis components are made to your measurements and the joint is set up for your own gait.
- Training and follow-up: we help you get used to it and make any adjustments needed.
In our team, Ioannis Hlamidis is a certified prosthetist-orthotist trained at the Ottobock Academy. You will find the same microprocessor technology in bionic prostheses, such as the Ottobock C-Leg.
What to bring to your first appointment
- your doctor's prescription or a medical note describing your condition,
- the brace you currently use, if you have one,
- the shoes you usually wear,
- a list of the activities you would like to do more easily, e.g. stairs, walks or cycling.
Cost and EOPYY
The cost of a C-Brace depends on the configuration, the components and the user's needs, so we only give a quotation after an assessment. As to whether, and to what extent, reimbursement may be available from EOPYY (ΕΟΠΥΥ), Greece's national health insurance organisation, for people insured in Greece, contact us and we will check what applies in your case. The information is correct as of the date this page was last updated. See also our EOPYY reimbursement page. If you are not insured in Greece, EOPYY reimbursement does not apply; you can pay privately, and any cover depends on your own insurer's rules – contact us and we will give you the information you need for your case.
For conventional orthoses, see our upper- and lower-limb orthoses and all our orthoses and braces. To book an assessment, call +30 2310 282 894 or send us a message.
What is the C-Brace?
The C-Brace is an Ottobock leg orthosis (KAFO) with a microprocessor-controlled knee joint. Its sensors adjust the resistance of the knee in real time, so the knee does not have to stay locked as it does in a conventional brace. This makes walking more natural and safer.
Who is the C-Brace suitable for?
According to Ottobock, it is intended for people with partial or complete paralysis of the knee extensor muscles, for example after polio or with incomplete paraplegia. Suitability is always decided after an assessment and together with your doctor. Call us on +30 2310 282 894 to book an appointment.
How is the C-Brace different from a conventional KAFO?
A conventional KAFO usually locks the knee, which provides stability but leads to a less natural and more tiring gait. The C-Brace allows controlled knee bending, so you can sit down smoothly, walk on slopes and walk down stairs step over step, one foot on each step.
How much does a C-Brace cost?
The cost depends on the configuration and on each user's needs, so we give a quotation after an assessment. For any possible reimbursement from EOPYY, which applies to people insured in Greece, contact us on +30 2310 282 894 and we will check what applies in your case.
Related
Ottobock C-Leg 4: microprocessor knee for safe, confident walking
Ottobock’s C-Leg is one of the most widely used microprocessor knees. It adapts to the way you walk in real time and supports you if you stumble.
We work with the leading manufacturers
Find out if the C-Brace is right for you
Book an assessment with our team. Call +30 2310 282 894.