Footwear and Feet

Similarly, researchers at Hanger Inc. have cast a wide net within their own niche, as providers of orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) care. The company partners with suppliers to create clinical processes, tools and products available solely to physicians. However, many of its other products are available to consumers, whether they are looking for a long-term solution to increase mobility, or a comfortable pair of shoes.


The Bethesda, Maryland-based company has established itself as a lasting O&P manufacturer over the last 150 years. Initially, the company was well-known for its clinical innovations and as a major manufacturer of artificial limbs to amputees and patients with musculoskeletal disabilities. Now, the company provides postoperative, preparatory, temporary and permanent prosthesis for upper and lower extremities; in addition, Hanger provides a series of customized medical devices provided by physicians to disabled patients, including their ComforFlex Socket System, Insignia and the WalkAide, they also provide- in addition to post-mastectomy care supplies.

With 640 care centers nationwide, the company utilizes its global partnerships to provide a tailor-made service to patients, relying on practitioners trained under the company's programs to operate its systems. Hanger is comprised of four subsidiaries, each servicing its own segment of the O&P industry. Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics serves as the company's core, servicing more than 650,000 patients by helping to design, develop and fit supports to the disabled. Hanger subsidiary Linkia provides network management within the O&P industry. Meanwhile, Southern Prosthetic Supply (SPS) remains the largest O&P distributor worldwide, providing physicians throughout the U.S. alone with over 270,000 products.

To commercialize devices developed at research centers, executives established Hanger's Innovative Neurotronics, extending the company's offerings into the consumer market. A specialty footwear program for diabetics and other products including bracing systems, spinal and neck orthotics, diabetic shoes and cranial bands can all be customized to patients' needs, and can be particularly helpful to prevent conditions from worsening. However, these and other products have also proven to be widely successful among consumers without medical needs, who are simply looking for added comfort. Extra-depth shoes, insoles, and healing shoes are among these products. The company has even gone a step further to reach out to consumers in today's media-saturated market, with pages on social networking web sites Facebook and Twitter, and YouTube.

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