Ortho Active and Paralid Prosthetics Announce Exclusive Canadian Distribution Partnership

Ortho Active and Paralid Prosthetics Announce Exclusive Canadian Distribution Partnership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ortho Active and Paralid Prosthetics Announce Exclusive Canadian Distribution Partnership

Vancouver, BC – November 12, 2025 – Ortho Active Appliances Ltd. (“Ortho Active”), Canada’s leading independently owned orthotics and prosthetics distributor, and Paralid Prosthetics (“Paralid”), an innovative manufacturer of functional partial-finger prostheses based in Mexico, are pleased to announce that Ortho Active has secured exclusive distribution rights for Paralid’s product line throughout Canada.

Under this agreement, Ortho Active will distribute Finger Prosthetics by Paralid, a revolutionary line of mechanically driven, anatomically functional partial-finger prostheses. These lightweight, custom-made devices are designed for individuals with partial finger or thumb amputations, Enhancing grip and mobility; designed for everyday function and residual limb protection.

Paralid’s designs incorporate a patented mechanical movement system and lightweight exoeskeleton construction—offering functional benefits to patients. Prosthetic clinics across Canada will now be able to source Paralid products directly from Ortho Active’s national distribution network.

“The partnership with Paralid represents our commitment to bringing innovative prosthetic solutions to the Canadian market. Paralid is the first upper extremity prosthetic product line in Ortho Active’s history and it comes at a time of significant expansion for our company and our distributed product lines,” said Dale Tiessen, General Manager of Ortho Active Appliances Ltd.

“We are excited to partner with Ortho Active and bring Finger Prosthetics by Paralid to the Canadian market,” said Paola Izaguirre, Owner of Paralid Prosthetics, “Paralid is rapidly expanding access to our innovative and cost-effective products across the globe.”

This partnership expands the accessibility of advanced upper-limb prosthetic options in Canada, combining Paralid’s innovative engineering with Ortho Active’s 40+ years of national experience in product distribution, clinician education, and support.

About Ortho Active Appliances Ltd.
Ortho Active is a Canadian-owned and operated manufacturer and distributor of orthotic and prosthetic products based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company serves orthotic and prosthetic clinics across Canada with market-leading and innovative products.

About Paralid Prosthetics
Paralid Prosthetics, based in Mexico, designs and manufactures mechanical finger prostheses that restore motion and dexterity for individuals with partial finger amputations. Its products are lightweight, protective, functional, and customizable, using high-quality materials such as Nylon 12 and stainless steel.

 

Media Contact:
Ortho Active Appliances Ltd.
Email: marketing@orthoactive.com
Website: www.orthoactive.com

Finger Prosthetics by Paralid
Email: info@fingerprosthetic.com
Website: www.fingerprosthetic.com

Prosthetic Patient Impact Story: Jon’s Levitate Trial

Prosthetic Patient Impact Story: Jon’s Levitate Trial

September 19th marks Canadian National Orthotics and Prosthetics Day! It is a time to celebrate the skilled professionals across the country who help patients everyday. At Ortho Active, we are proud to support O&P professionals across Canada. We are dedicated to providing clinic staff and patients with the most innovative, trusted products that enhance user mobility and independence – and today, we want to highlight one way we do that.

Recently, in July, Ortho Active’s Eastern Account Manager, Matt, had the pleasure of joining a prosthetist team during a foot trial. This was also an exciting opportunity for Ortho Active, with our first full visit during a trial of the Levitate Forever Foot and Blade!

The Value of  a Trial Experience

An in-clinic trial is one of the support benefits that Ortho Active is happy to provide, so that patient’s are given the opportunity to test prosthetic devices before moving to the next step in their decision. But, in most cases, this is more than just a technical product test – it gives patients a real chance to feel the difference as they perform daily movements. While prosthetists assess fit and function, the user is able to have their own experience gaining comfort with a product. Being able to walk, run, or jump, can create powerful real-time opinions on long-term fit.

Along with the prosthetist team at PBO Barrie, our patient Jon was able to experience the practical benefits of the device immediately! View the video to the right to see some moments from Jon’s trial.

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Levitate Forever Foot and Blade

Produced in Denmark, the Levitate foot and blade has been created for active users seeking lightweight, high-performing prosthetic solutions. Ortho Active is proud to be the Canadian distributor of Levitate, giving every patient the opportunity to continue living an active lifestyle on their own terms.

The Levitate Forever Foot is a high-activity hybrid foot built for K3 and K4 users. Crafted using a cutting-edge fibreglass technology, it absorbs impact to reduce shock and offer controlled energy return. These feet are available with either aluminum or titanium componentry, depending on the patient’s weight category and build height. Here are a few standout features:

  • Sleek, Modern Design: Designed for durability and aesthetics

  • Versatile Use: From everyday mobility to high-activity sports and running

  • Quick Change Bundle Compatibility: Seamlessly switch between foot and blade – no tools required!

Efficiency with the Quick Change Bundle

A key highlight of the trial was the Quick Change Bundle, a unique Levitate feature that allows users to effortlessly switch between prosthetic setups. This is especially helpful for users who want to use an everyday foot and activity blade without needing to use specialized tools or schedule a visit to the clinic. For Canadian customers, this can be a major benefit to those living more remotely.

Why Trials Matter

For our prosthetic catalogue, Ortho Active prioritizes the ability to support our customers with trials – especially when it comes to new products on the market. Trial opportunities not only allow clinician teams to familiarize themselves with a wide range of products, but empowers patients to feel assured in their decision-making. Users can feel confident that the product they are applying for works for their lifestyle.

Interested in offering a trial? If you are a Canadian O&P professional interested in trialing the Levitate Forever Foot and Blade, or any of Ortho Active’s other prosthetic products, please get in touch with our customer support team. We are here to help provide you the best possible solutions for your patients.

As we celebrate National Orthotics & Prosthetics Day, we’re reminded how vital O&P professionals are in every step of the patient journey. Ortho Active is proud to be a trusted, Canadian-owned wholesaler, supporting clinics with opportunities like these that truly make a difference.

Ownership Change: Ortho Active Appliances Ltd. Welcomes Additional Leadership

Ownership Change: Ortho Active Appliances Ltd. Welcomes Additional Leadership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ownership Change: Ortho Active Appliances Ltd. Welcomes Additional Leadership 

Vancouver, BC – October 15, 2024 – Ortho Active, a Canadian manufacturer and distributor of orthotic and prosthetic products, is pleased to announce the addition of Robert Tsujimura to the management and leadership team as Vice President of Business Development.

Rob was an investor in Ortho Active earlier in 2024 and is now applying his full-time efforts in leadership of the sales and marketing functions across the business. Rob brings to Ortho Active 15+ years of clinical, educational, and commercial leadership within the healthcare sector. He holds a Bachelors of Kinesiology and is a Respiratory Therapist. He has consistently been recognized for sales leadership and customer service by his customers and colleagues alike.

Rob Tsujimura, Vice President Business Development: “I am very excited to join the Ortho Active team. We have an amazing team which is already expanding. We represent many world-class companies in the Canadian prosthetic and orthotics market, and I look forward to engaging with clinicians across the country to support their patient care imperatives.”

Dale Tiessen, President and General Manager: “The addition of Rob to the leadership team will enable Ortho Active to accelerate in both our short term and long-term goals. He brings energy and enthusiasm combined with domain experience in medical devices and healthcare markets. I could not have a better partner with which to lead Ortho Active into the future.”

About Ortho Active Appliances Ltd.:

Founded in 1983, Ortho Active is a proud Canadian supplier of high-quality orthotic, prosthetic, sports medicine, and home health products. Ortho Active is a well-recognized wholesale supplier of more than 40 brands. Ortho Active also manufactures a wide range of orthotic devices in Canada under its own label as well as private label for customers.

Contact:

Amanda Dunbar

Ortho Active Appliances Ltd.

amanda@orthoactive.com

1.604.520.3414

 

“How Do I Put This Thing On?” – The 537 Shoulder Stabilizer

“How Do I Put This Thing On?” – The 537 Shoulder Stabilizer

“How Do I Put This Thing On?” – The 537 Shoulder Stabilizer

If you can’t figure out how to put your new brace on, you’re not the only one! We get this question all the time, especially if you purchased the brace from the store and no one showed you how to put it on. 

The 537 Shoulder Stabilizer is one of those products. It’s got lots of flaps, straps and Velcro, and it looks confusing straight out of the box.

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The best place to start is with the support laying flat, with none of the Velcro pieces attached anywhere, inside facing up.

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Loosely attach the flap with the white size tag to the flap directly across from it to form a loop. This is the hole your arm goes through.

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Loosely attach the two flaps below the arm loop. This part goes around your shoulder, attaching under your armpit.

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Put your arm through both loops so that the pad is sitting on your shoulder and one flap is hanging across your chest, the other across your back.

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Attach the two loose flaps on the opposite side of your body, under your other arm.

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Adjust all the Velcro attachments as needed so that the brace is snug.

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If necessary, the separate Velcro strap can attach on the arm the brace is applied to, wrap around the arm, and attach across the front or back of the brace, limiting forward or backward motion.

And that’s it! If you have any questions about how to put any of our braces on properly, don’t hesitate to call or email us.

 

How to Help Your Customer Choose the Right Knee Brace

How to Help Your Customer Choose the Right Knee Brace

How to Help Your Customer Choose the Right Knee Brace

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How many times has someone walked into your store and asked you what they should get for knee pain? Sometimes they’ll have a prescription with something vague like “hinged knee brace.” But with so many options available, how can you tell which knee brace will help alleviate their pain best?

Have They Seen a Doctor?

If your customer is in pain but doesn’t know why, they should see a doctor before purchasing anything. The wrong type of support at best will not help at all, and at worst could cause further damage.

If they have seen a doctor, they should know why they’re in pain. For instance, they may tell you they have patellar tendonitis, an ACL injury, or bursitis. If they have a prescription with the specific type of knee brace they need, go with that.

Our Knee Brace Guide

If you know which type of knee brace your customer needs, we’ve narrowed the options down for you here. These are our best-selling knee braces in each category.

Sleeves

Knee sleeves provide compression and warmth to reduce swelling. Compression sleeves can also help athletes perform at their best, helping to increase blood flow through the knee. However, most knee sleeves do not provide any extra stability for injured knees. If your patient is looking for a knee sleeve, we recommend:

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#3512 Charcoal Elastic Knee Support

A very economical option with a low level of compression.

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#279026 Cramer ESS Knee Compression Sleeve

The best option for athletes, with 18mm graduated compression to help with lactic acid removal and a lightweight knit design.

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#3531 Sportec Compression Knee Support

Provides a higher level of support, with medical-grade compression of 20-30mmHg. Has a built-in patella buttress and side stays for added stability.

Patella Straps

These straps are great because they’re low profile. They relieve pain by putting tension on the IP tendon, reducing slack. They are often used for those who play sports. Our best patella strap is the 26/3126:

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#26 IP Strap

Patellofemoral Supports

These supports are used for patella tendonitis, patella subluxation, mild chondromalacia, patella dislocation, and patellofemoral pain syndrome, and other causes of kneecap instability. We have two very effective options for those with patella pain and tracking problems:

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#138 Patellar Tracking Brace

A Neoprene support with a high-grip sharkskin liner that grabs the patella and provides superior pressure. Medial and lateral stays prevent rolling, and the wrap-around design allows for variable levels of compression.

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#34J Lateral J Brace

A longer option with a tubular lateral “J” buttress which provides lateral patellar support to enhance patellar tracking. It also has a lateral-to-medial strap and spiral side stays for added support.

Hinged Knee Braces

There are many types of hinged knee braces, but they all have metal stays that provide a high level of support to knee ligaments. These braces are useful for those with medial collateral ligament injuries.

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#32P Hinged Knee Brace

This is our most popular knee brace. The metal stays provide medial and lateral support, the buttress stabilizes the patella, and Neoprene provides warmth and mild compression. We have a pull-on style, and we also have an open top and wrap-around version for patients who have difficulty pulling braces over their knee.

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#101P Activator Knee Brace

This brace was designed for ACL and PCL support because of its interlocking strap system. It is also a good post-surgical brace because the hinges have range of motion stops.

Post-Op/Immobilizer Brace

After knee surgery, it’s important to limit movement to prevent re-injury and unwanted pain. If your customer’s doctor recommended a “Zimmer Splint”, this is the brace they need.

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Universal 3-Panel Knee Immobilizer

This option completely immobilizes the knee joint. It has two medial, two lateral and three posterior stays that are removable and malleable.

To place an order for any of these braces, you can sign up for an online account and place the order through our website, or you can always give us a call, fax, or email us. If you are a consumer who would like to buy one of these braces, you can find one of our retailers here.

 

We Are Supporting the Maélie Alfaro-Fortier Fund

We Are Supporting the Maélie Alfaro-Fortier Fund

We Are Supporting the Maélie Alfaro-Fortier Fund

Last weekend, we had the opportunity to be an exhibitor at AOPQ in Montreal. Ken went and represented Ortho Active, and he said it was awesome to see some of our customers and meet lots of new people!

At the show, our booth was beside Caroline and Mario’s booth. Mario is an orthotist and came to check out the exhibitors, and Caroline was manning their booth. All of their posters and displays were in French (Ken doesn’t really speak French) and they weren’t displaying any orthotic or prosthetic products. Ken eventually gave up on trying to figure out what they were promoting and asked Caroline about her booth.

She explained that their daughter Maélie passed away in 2018 when she was only 6 years old, due to a condition that prevented her heart from functioning at full capacity. To keep her spirits up while she was in intensive care, her family brought her princess and superhero costumes which she loved to dress up in, decorated her room for each season and holiday, and threw parties for all the kids in the ICU.

Even after Maélie’s death, Caroline and Mario wanted to keep bringing joy to the children in the unit because they saw how much of a difference it made. They kept throwing parties and bringing in toys and costumes – but they realized how expensive this would be going forward indefinitely! So they set up the Maélie Alfaro-Fortier Fund of the Sainte-Justine UHC Foundation.

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This is their mission (translated from French):

We want to make sure that all children are treated in a humane, child-friendly environment. That our young and old can have access to their childhood with toys, DIY, a place to have fun, visits of their favorite character, festivities…

In collaboration with the medical team, we want to purchase equipment for the unit in addition to psychologically and financially supporting families.

We want children to feel good and happy despite their condition, as Maélie was. We want to punctuate their everyday life with small simple gestures, but with the power to change everything.

We hope that through the Maélie Alfaro-Fortier Fund, Maélie’s light will enlighten and give hope to the whole unit! (You can read the entire story here).

Maélie’s family is trying to raise $50,000. Ortho Active wants to support this fund in any way we can, so we donated at AOPQ and now we’re passing the info along to you. You can make a donation at http://fondsmaelie.org or simply share the link with family, friends and coworkers. Thank you for partnering us in this worthy cause!