Testimonials

I’ve been wearing an upper leg prosthetis for 25 years and currently I’m walking with a multi-axis prosthetic knee and carbon fibre prosthetic foot. I’ve been a customer of Spronken Orthopaedics since 2019.

I wear my prosthesis throughout the day. I work on a farm where I milk about 700 cows and I do horse riding at international and Olympic level.

It’s extremely important that my prosthesis feels very comfortable, because I wear it all day long. And because I am so active, I need to be confident that I can be stable and safe in my movements. 

My doctor recommended Spronken Orthopaedics because I had problems with my prosthesis. The prosthetists of Spronken Orthopaedics have made a huge difference for me. Previously I had problems with the fit of the prosthetic socket and with the heavy and outdated leg prosthesis. Robbie, my prosthetist, went out of his way to understand me and my lifestyle and helped me find the best possible prosthesis. I’m very grateful to him!

I was only 17 when my lower left leg was amputated after an accident. That’s 45 years ago now. I’ve witnessed technical orthopaedics grow from small studios (not much bigger than a garage) to the businesses we see today. Consequently, I changed prosthetists for my lower leg prostheses a number of times at short notice.

I expect a prosthetist to make high-quality sockets and to be able to do that, he or she needs to listen carefully, while I must be able to ask and be critical until it’s right.

I’m active as a snowboard monitor at Anvasport, I’m a supporter of Limburg United (wheelchair basketball) and I’m a member of Amptraide. Thanks to the many contacts with fellow sufferers, I can tell that obtaining a high-quality socket is not easy. 

In my professional career (with 43 years of service), I’ve worked a lot with machines and often got my hands dirty with grease and oil. I don’t put my trust in a garage where the computer makes the diagnoses and solves the problem. In the same way, I expect a prosthetist to be hands-on, look me straight in the eye and think along with me about solutions. So that I can continue with a good socket, reach my daily step count and don’t have to worry about wounds, ulcers and pimples.

Daring to grab and feel my stump (which is a very intimate and vulnerable body part for me) is vital if you want to take proper measurements. And that’s only okay for me if I feel comfortable with my prosthetist and if I can be sure to always see the same prosthetist.

The profession of prosthetist is a craft and can never be replaced by an industrial process, in which several employees work on my socket. To me, Spronken Orthopaedics is a traditional company with a personal approach and where people are very close to people. 

I hope to be a customer there for many years to come.

I’ve been wearing an upper leg prosthesis for 37 years. That’s been my whole life. 

Today I’m walking on a Rheo Knee, a computerised prosthetic knee and a Pro-Flex XC Torsion. My prosthetic socket is made of carbon fibre.

The Rheo Knee is an advanced knee that constantly adapts to my gait and environment. The Pro-Flex XC Torsion is a carbon fibre prosthetic foot that ensures optimal energy return and smooth transition. The torsion module of the foot gives me functional shock absorption and the ability to rotate with my prosthesis. The main advantage of this is that fewer rotational forces occur between my residual limb and socket. 

I’m a very active person. I hike a lot and use my sports prosthesis to go jogging every now and then. This prosthesis is equipped with a special running foot and knee. 

I’ve been a satisfied customer at Spronken Orthopaedics for many years, where I can rely with great confidence on their expertise and their committed and solution-oriented approach. Since I can easily test all kinds of components, it enables me to choose the right product for the right activity, especially when I purchase these with my own resources.

Our son Arthur is a cheerful, energetic 6-year-old who loves crafting and playing goalkeeper. But his previous prosthesis wasn’t meeting his needs, and we saw him struggling with everyday tasks and his favourite hobbies. As parents, we knew we had to look for a centre specialised in prosthetics for children, somewhere that would give Arthur every chance to grow and thrive.

That’s how we found the Amputee Care Center in Genk, Belgium, and went there for a second opinion. From the start, the team saw Arthur’s potential and made us feel involved. After a thorough evaluation, it was decided to create a custom cosmetic pediatric prosthesis just for him.

We were included in every step of the design process. They listened to us, understood our son's daily life, and used 3D printing technology to create a prosthesis tailored to his needs, complete with interchangeable attachments.

This is just the beginning. We’re already discussing the next step: a personalised myo-electric pediatric prosthesis. The team at ACC has experience with these, and we know it will give Arthur even more independence and confidence in the future.

We’re truly grateful to have found a place where innovation, care, and family involvement come together.

My name is Ricardo, and I’ve been living with a leg prosthesis for over 20 years, ever since I lost my left leg due to vascular issues. But I’ve never let my amputation define me. I live a full, active life and keep challenging myself every day.

Two years ago, my wife and I moved to Spain. Even so, I’ve stayed loyal to the Amputee Care Center in Belgium, part of the Spronken Orthopaedics Group. Every year, I come back – not only for the prosthetic care and annual maintenance, but also to reconnect with my family and friends.

What makes the difference for me is the relationship I’ve built over the years with Robby, my prosthetist. He knows me well and understands exactly what I need. Thanks to his support and the expertise of the whole ACC team, I never have to worry about my prosthesis – even living abroad.

Regular maintenance is essential to keep my prosthesis working properly. At ACC, they take care of everything, and the yearly check-up is completely free. That kind of service gives me peace of mind, wherever I am.

About 2.5 years ago, I underwent a bilateral lower leg amputation. A drastic event that, despite everything, turned out to be my biggest chance to regain my life. Like many other fellow sufferers, I came out on top despite my age and not very good health.

I share my own path, with a special thank you to the Spronken company and the prosthetists at their Amputee Care Center. They literally and figuratively gave me solidity underfoot again and the encouragement to overcome myself.

At Spronken's Amputee Care Center you don't get a standard solution, but a personal approach. Femke and the prosthetists listened attentively to my daily routines, my moaning and my groaning. They kept motivating me with patience and lots of love and made me two top lower leg prostheses that felt really comfortable. Every stride was watched in the gait lab. Every walk was evaluated and analysed in the Spronken rehabilitation garden. I received constant follow-up and my prosthesis was adjusted several times until perfection was achieved. Even the smallest nuances were discussed. As a result, I always felt heard and they gave me the ‘customer is king’ feeling.  

Today, I walk completely independently, cycle - yes, I cycle! - and have a more active lifestyle than before my amputation. The physical and mental recovery was a process, but the quality of life I received after amputation of my bad, vascular-affected feet was better than I had ever dared to hope.  And that was largely due to the excellent care and dedication of the people at Spronken.

Experience with a leg prosthesis - Sylvia, 50 years old

My name is Sylvia, I am 50 years old, and I have been a loyal customer of Spronken Orthopedie in Genk since 1994 – more than 30 years. You could say that I feel right at home there, and that's exactly how it feels.

When I was 19, I lost part of my left lower leg in a traumatic accident. From the outset, it was a challenge for the prosthetists to create a prosthesis that not only fit well, but was also comfortable and attractive. My stump is long, narrow and very sensitive, which did not make it any easier.

Nevertheless, Spronken has always succeeded in developing a well-fitting and attractive leg prosthesis for me using the best systems available. What made the difference for me was that I was always closely involved in the entire process: from the design and choice of materials to the finishing touches. This made it much easier for me to accept my prosthesis, my “new leg”. It really became a part of me. That personal approach gave me the confidence to stay with Spronken time and time again. Now, almost 31 years later, my disability feels like a natural part of my body. That hasn't always been the case; it was a journey of acceptance and sometimes struggle.

That is precisely why I understand better than anyone the obstacles you can encounter when you lose an arm or a leg. My greatest wish is that everyone who experiences something like this can feel “whole” again and feel supported, heard and understood.

Are you still struggling with this yourself? Would you like to talk, or hear how I learned to accept my disability and even embrace it? Feel free to contact me via Spronken Orthopedie. I am happy to share my experience. I am here for you.

Warm regards,
Sylvia