The C-Brace, at Mutual Orthopedics

Comprehensive Solutions for Enhanced Movement & Independence

A different kind of brace.

The C-Brace is not a knee replacement. It’s not a microprocessor knee, either. It’s a microprocessor-controlled knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) — an external brace worn by patients who still have their leg, but whose muscles can no longer reliably support it.

Unlike traditional locked KAFOs that force a stiff-knee gait, the C-Brace senses every step in real time and adjusts hydraulic resistance to allow controlled knee flexion during stance — restoring a far more natural walking pattern, step-over-step stair descent, and the confidence to sit, stand, and walk without locking the knee.

The C-Brace, fitted on Long Island

Mutual Orthopedics is an Ottobock-certified C-Brace provider serving Long Island, Suffolk County, and Brooklyn. We fit, train, and support patients with lower-limb paresis from incomplete spinal cord injury, post-polio syndrome, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic nerve injuries — using the world’s first microprocessor stance-and-swing-control orthosis.

Real-time sensingSensors measure joint angle, velocity, and load up to 50 times per second — anticipating each phase of your step before your weight shifts.
Hydraulic stance & swingControlled knee flexion during stance protects against falls on uneven terrain. Free swing during the swing phase allows a more natural gait pattern.
App-supported tuningThe Cockpit app and clinician software let your prosthetist fine-tune your device for cycling, golf, stair training, and other activity-specific modes.
Stairs, step over stepWhere a locked KAFO forces a step-to pattern, the C-Brace supports reciprocal stair descent — a meaningful change in daily independence.
Confident sittingControlled flexion lets you lower yourself into a chair smoothly, without the abrupt collapse common with traditional locked-knee braces.
Uneven terrainRamps, curbs, grass, gravel — the C-Brace adapts dynamically, helping you walk in environments that locked braces typically rule out.

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Who the C-Brace can help – Conditions we fit for.

The C-Brace is designed for patients with lower-limb paresis — partial weakness or paralysis, where the leg is still present but no longer reliably supports body weight. A candidacy evaluation determines whether your specific condition and presentation are a fit.

Incomplete spinal cord injury

Patients with partial motor function below the level of injury who retain hip flexion and can bear weight on the affected limb.

Multiple sclerosis

Selected patients with stable lower-limb weakness affecting gait and stability on uneven ground.

Traumatic brain injury

Selected TBI patients with stable lower-limb weakness and the cognitive capacity to use the device safely.

Post-polio syndrome

Adults experiencing late-onset weakness decades after acute polio, often outgrowing the limits of traditional KAFOs.

Traumatic nerve injury

Patients recovering from femoral nerve or other peripheral nerve injuries that leave the quadriceps unreliable.

Selected neuromuscular disorders

Patients with non-progressive or slowly progressive neuromuscular conditions, evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Post-stroke weakness

Patients with hemiparesis and persistent lower-limb weakness who need stance support without sacrificing gait quality.

Guillain-Barré recovery

Patients with residual weakness following GBS who need orthotic support during ongoing recovery and ambulation.

Not sure if you qualify?

Candidacy is determined through a clinical evaluation. If your physician has raised the C-Brace as a possibility, we welcome a consultation.

The C-Brace is designed for patients with lower-limb paresis — partial weakness or paralysis, where the leg is still present but no longer reliably supports body weight. A candidacy evaluation determines whether your specific condition and presentation are a fit.

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How the C-Brace Works

Sensors, hydraulics, and a steady step.

Real-time sensing

Sensors measure joint angle, velocity, and load up to 50 times per second — anticipating each phase of your step before your weight shifts.

Confident sitting

Controlled flexion lets you lower yourself into a chair smoothly, without the abrupt collapse common with traditional locked-knee braces.

Hydraulic stance & swing

Controlled knee flexion during stance protects against falls on uneven terrain. Free swing during the swing phase allows a more natural gait pattern.

Uneven terrain

Ramps, curbs, grass, gravel — the C-Brace adapts dynamically, helping you walk in environments that locked braces typically rule out.

App-supported tuning

The Cockpit app and clinician software let your prosthetist fine-tune your device for cycling, golf, stair training, and other activity-specific modes.

Stairs, step over step

Where a locked KAFO forces a step-to pattern, the C-Brace supports reciprocal stair descent — a meaningful change in daily independence.

Our Long Island and NYC Locations

Islandia Location

1767 Veterans Memorial Hwy #42, Islandia, NY 11749
631-265-4444
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm

Brooklyn Location

702 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
631-265-4444
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm

The C-Brace process at Mutual.

Fitting a C-Brace is a multi-month process involving your prosthetist, your physician, your physical therapist, and your insurer. Here is what to expect, in plain terms.

Candidacy evaluation A clinical assessment of your lower-limb strength, range of motion, gait, and goals — and an honest conversation about whether the C-Brace is the right fit.
Insurance authorization We gather clinical documentation, submit pre-authorization, and advocate with your insurer. Most commercial plans and Medicare cover the C-Brace with appropriate justification.
Casting & fabrication A precise cast or 3D scan of your limb anchors the custom orthotic frame. Componentry is then assembled and prepared for your initial fitting.
Fitting & tuning Your prosthetist programs the hydraulic resistance to your gait. Expect multiple adjustment visits as you and the device learn one another.
Gait training We coordinate with your physical therapist throughout — stairs, ramps, uneven ground, and the activities you care about most.

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Am I a candidate for a C-Brace?

Candidacy is established through a clinical evaluation with our certified team. These are the general criteria most patients meet — but the right answer for you depends on your specific presentation, goals, and medical history.

Lower-limb paresis, not complete paralysis The C-Brace supports a leg that is weak — not one that is fully paralyzed or absent.
Sufficient hip flexion You need enough hip strength to swing the leg forward during gait.
Stable joint anatomy Knee and hip joints intact and stable, with no severe contractures preventing the brace from fitting properly.
Cognitive readiness The ability to learn the device, follow safety guidance, and respond to its feedback during walking.
Cardiovascular tolerance Enough endurance to tolerate upright weight bearing and gait training over multiple sessions.
Healthy skin & soft tissue Skin in good condition where the brace will contact the limb, without open wounds or unmanaged edema.

FAQ: C-Brace on Long Island

How is the C-Brace different from a microprocessor knee?

A microprocessor knee like the Ottobock C-Leg replaces a missing knee for an amputee. The C-Brace is worn over an intact leg whose muscles cannot reliably support it. Both use sophisticated sensors and hydraulics, but they solve very different problems.

How is it different from a traditional KAFO?

A traditional KAFO locks the knee in extension during stance, forcing a stiff-legged gait and step-to stair descent. The C-Brace allows controlled knee flexion during stance — meaning a more natural gait, step-over-step stair descent, smoother sitting, and far better performance on uneven terrain.

How long does the fitting process take?

From initial candidacy evaluation to delivery, expect roughly two to four months — with insurance authorization typically the longest single step. Once you have the device, expect several adjustment visits and a structured course of gait training with your physical therapist.

Do I need a referral?

Most insurers require a prescription from your physician, physiatrist, or neurologist for orthotic care. Our team coordinates directly with your provider, gathers documentation, and verifies benefits before your first appointment.