In 1975, arborist Bill Chyle experienced a fall that compressed his spine and fractured his T11 vertebra, resulting in lower leg paralysis in both legs.

For the last 10 years, Bill has been a patient of Mount Nittany Health Orthotics, under the care of Steven Pryor, BS, BOCO, Certified Orthotist.

At Mount Nittany Health Orthotics – located in Mount Nittany Health Wound Center – Steve creates customized orthotic devices (orthoses) to support weakened body parts and correct body impairments caused by spinal cord injuries, musculoskeletal injuries, malformation of bones, and conditions such as cerebral palsy, diabetes, spina bifida, and multiple sclerosis. This includes customized interventions for pediatric patients, ranging from infants to 18-year-olds.

Due to the injuries he sustained, Bill’s feet and ankles cannot interact with the ground in a way that’s required for walking. To correct this, Steve created custom orthoses that enable him to walk safely without the need for any further assistance.

“If a patient cannot reach the ground to walk, then it is my mission to bring the ground to their feet,” said Steve. “Once this is addressed, then we (the patient and I) work on adjusting the angles of the orthoses to ensure everything is comfortable and works properly.”

For Bill, Steve has also fabricated orthoses that fit into his custom footwear. These devices, known as Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs), act to protect the ankles from high stress and the bones below the knee from fracture.

In many cases, Steve begins the creation of orthoses by capturing a three-dimensional image of the lower limb, usually taken from a cast using plaster. Other variables like joint range of motion and residual muscle activity are considered. Whenever possible, Steve fabricates these devices in-house.

“One of my favorite parts of my work is building my patient’s orthoses myself,” said Steve. “Mount Nittany Health provides me with the freedom of exploration to find the solutions that best meet our patient’s needs.”

Steve works closely with his colleagues in Orthotics, including orthotic fitter, Andrew Cawthern, COF, and physical therapists, Judy Pfleegor, PT, C.Ped, Nate Karmelita, PT, DPT, and Karen Kelly PT, COF. Additionally, Orthotics collaborates with Mount Nittany Health’s Diabetic Foot Clinic – also located in Mount Nittany Health Wound Center – to provide a continuum of care for patients suffering from diabetic foot wounds.

“As far as I’m concerned, Mount Nittany Health Orthotics is one of the best kept secrets in State College,” said Bill. “Steve and the Orthotics staff are professional and conscientious, and their services are extensive. I’m fortunate to have found them and to receive my care from them.”

To learn more about Mount Nittany Health Orthotics and Mount Nittany Health Wound Center or to schedule an appointment, visit mountnittany.org/wound-care or call 814.231.7868.