What is an Orthotist?

Orthotists specialise in finding engineering solutions to biomechanical problems of the neuro, muscular and skeletal systems. The use of orthoses can enhance mobility, correct gait deviations, prevent falls, alleviate pain, and support recovery from injuries or lifelong conditions. Orthotists are part of a small and highly specialised profession, a brilliant blend of biomechanics, physiology, engineering, material science, creativity and problem-solving.

Mr Cody prides himself on focusing on the uniqueness of each individual to ensure they are at the centre of the decision-making process, and that they receive personalised orthotic solutions. His motivation both in the NHS and in private practice is on delivering high-quality orthotic clinical care through comprehensive assessment, precise measurement, fitting, and regular review of patients, all grounded in the latest evidence-based orthotic practices. He provides a friendly and professional patient-centred orthotic service and works closely with a strong network of the very best orthotic product suppliers and manufacturers and aims to offer orthotic treatment that helps patients to manage their conditions, increase their independence and to compliment other therapeutic treatment goals by closely aligning with consultants, case managers, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals.

In a career spanning over 20 years, Mr Cody has extensive experience in all areas of orthotics but has specialist interest in lower limb orthotic management of neuromuscular conditions for both adults and children, musculoskeletal conditions, foot and ankle biomechanics, complex case management and Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses prescriptions (KAFOs) for lower limb weakness or paralysis including Post Polio Syndrome.

Mr Cody qualified with a first-class honours degree in 2006, undertaking rotations across Oxford University Hospitals and at the reputable Sophies Minde Orthopaedics Hospital in Oslo, Norway. His early career took him to the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford, he was Clinical Lead Orthotist at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Roehampton and St George’s University Hospital, Tooting, before taking up his current role as Clinical Lead & Head of Regional Orthotic Services for Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in 2016. Here he provides strategic planning, coordination and delivery of the adult and children’s regional orthotic services for both Guy’s & St Thomas’ and Kings College Hospitals.

In addition to his clinical duties, he is actively engaged in research, development and training and has presented at numerous conferences including the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) Annual Conferences, Opcare Annual Scientific Meetings and more recently the King’s Neuromuscular Disease Symposium where he presented on ‘Orthotic Management of Neuromuscular Disorders’. He has been an invited lecturer at Salford University leading a two-day course on the ‘Orthotic Management of the Lower Limb in Stroke Rehabilitation and the Use of Clinically Applicable Outcome Measures’ and has also shared his expertise on BAPO-sponsored training courses focusing on "Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses Prescription and the Use of Stance Control."

Alongside his busy NHS and private practice, Mr Cody also has a keen interest in healthcare technology and innovation, providing clinical consultancy for a start-up company developing healthcare solutions focused on introducing 3D scanning, printing, AI and innovative technologies into the orthotic industry. In this role, he provided expert clinical consultancy services to help drive the company’s mission to enhance the lives of children with disabilities. This role involved clinical assessments, research and development, ethics, and product design. He has also delivered external consultancy services for other NHS Trusts offering holistic overviews of their orthotic service provision and delivered on Quality Improvement drives to help optimise their clinical practice and service delivery to patients.

Mr Cody’s primary duty however, is to his two young children who he hopes align with his love of the outdoors, art, golf, football and surfing so they can share the joys together.

Mr Cody has practiced privately for many years, is passionate about his profession and the new technologies that bring new opportunities to improve outcomes and warmly welcomes you his clinic at The Sloane.

Chris can only accept self-pay patients.

You can visit Mr Cody’s website here: orthoticsinlondon.co.uk

Patient Feedback

"To be honest, my daughter has seen many professionals and doctors, and Mr. Cody has been the nicest, most knowledgeable, and passionate professional we have encountered so far."

– Mother of 7-year-old with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

"Chris is exceptional with the clients I have referred to him, establishing a strong rapport with both the clients and their families. In particular, the paediatric clients and their families have responded extremely well to Chris' guidance. His clinical reasoning is comprehensive and carefully considers individual needs. He is responsive and excels at providing detailed written reports to evidence his clinical decisions."

– Suzanne – Case Manager

"Chris not only works wonders with little patients, but also brings original ideas for improving healthcare products and services. He has been supporting our R&D team to develop a scalable 3D orthotic service by bringing his vast orthotics expertise and a sound user perspective. Chris is a pioneer that healthcare needs more of!"

– Kasia – Head of Product Operations and Scalability

Mr Cody’s interests include:

• Conservative management of foot & ankle pathologies 
• Biomechanical assessments and gait analysis
• Orthotic treatment of acute or chronic musculoskeletal conditions
• Orthotic management of stroke, cerebral palsy and neurologically based conditions
• Polio & Post-Polio Syndrome

Chris can offer the consultations for the following orthotic treatments:

• Biomechanical assessments & gait analysis
• Functional Foot Orthoses and insoles 
• Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs)
• Functional knee bracing
• General stock and modular orthotic products
• Complex Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses (KAFOs)
• Carbon fibre orthotic prescriptions
• 3D printed orthotic prescriptions
• Functional Electrical Stimulation

• Health & Care Professions Council
• British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO)