For Mark, living in Durham, North Carolina, has always offered plenty to enjoy—beautiful parks, baseball games, and even an indoor pool at his apartment complex. But over the years, worsening ankle pain began to rob him of those simple joys.
“I wanted to go on excursions, cruises, and enjoy retirement,” Mark recalls. “But the sharp pain in my ankle made it hard to walk for more than a few minutes. I had to plan every activity around how much pain I could tolerate.”
Mark’s pain was the result of post-traumatic osteoarthritis, a condition stemming from old athletic injuries to his ankle that had worsened with age. Doctors offered him two choices: undergo surgery with a lengthy recovery time or try bracing. Unfortunately, the bulky braces available to him at the time were uncomfortable, time-consuming to put on, and ultimately ineffective.
That all changed when Mark discovered PROTECT3D’s custom 3D-printed Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO).
Mark first learned about PROTECT3D through a brochure at his doctor’s office and, admittedly, he was skeptical. “I’d already tried so many braces that didn’t work,” he said. “But this seemed different, and I thought, why not give it a shot?”
What followed was a seamless, personalized experience that brought Mark into the world of advanced 3D printing technology. Using an iPhone-based scanning app, PROTECT3D’s team captured a precise digital model of his lower limb, which was then used to design a custom-fabricated brace to his doctor’s specifications. Within just two weeks, Mark’s AFO was ready.
“When I first put it on, I could still feel some pain, but I could finally walk again,” Mark shared. “Before, I couldn’t go up stairs or walk for more than five minutes without severe pain. But with the brace, I could keep going. It gave me hope.”
Over time, the inflammation in Mark’s ankle subsided, and his pain diminished significantly. After a year of wearing the AFO, he could walk long distances, travel, and even tackle excursions without hesitation.
One of his favorite milestones? Outpacing his wife again. “Before, she was always complaining, ‘Why can’t you keep up with me?’ Now, it’s the other way around—I’m the one telling her to keep up,” Mark said with a smile.
On a recent cruise, Mark felt like himself again. “The ships are huge, and there’s a lot of walking. I didn’t have to think about the pain slowing me down.”
Today, Mark’s AFO has become a natural part of his routine. “It’s amazing how I forget it’s there,” he says. He’s back to walking 7,000–10,000 steps a day, swimming regularly, and volunteering at a local institute that refurbishes computers for underprivileged kids.
“The brace has significantly improved my life and my emotional wellbeing because I don’t have to think about being in pain anymore. I can go out and do the activities I want, when I want, without limitations.”
Mark’s journey is a testament to the power of personalized medical solutions. His story highlights how PROTECT3D’s technology combines precision engineering and patient-centric design to help individuals rediscover freedom, confidence, and joy.
As Mark reflects on his experience, he leaves us with a heartfelt message: “Thank you to the PROTECT3D team for what you’ve done for me. I wish you nothing but success in the future.”
If you’d like to learn more about the technology and research behind Mark’s transformation, you can request the full version of our white paper by emailing us at info@protect3d.io
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