HUMAN-FIRST HEALTHCARE
As the leading prosthetic and orthotic fitter in France, Proteor’s expertise is recognised across the globe. We explore the life-changing innovations and solutions the company offers to its many empowered patients
Writer: Lauren Kania | Project Manager: Ben Weaver
At the forefront of orthopaedic technologies, Proteor has more than 110 years’ experience in developing innovative prostheses, orthoses, orthopaedic components, and application software.
With a mission to create and provide solutions for people who want to increase their independence and well-being, the company has been driven by a single goal since its inception – improving the lives of users.
Based in Dijon, France, Proteor was founded by the Pierron family, who are still the majority shareholders as of today. In 2020, leading French financial investors, ARDIAN Growth and BNP Paribas Développement, teamed up with the company to
accelerate international expansion.
The company boasts R&D laboratories that constantly produce new innovations whilst improving existing components, cementing it with a powerful global presence. Specifically, Proteor develops two
primary activities, the first being custom-made orthopaedic fittings for patients through a network of fitting centres established in close proximity to hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centres, allowing patients easy access to such amenities.
The second consists of designing, manufacturing, and selling components for prosthesis, limb orthosis, and spinal orthosis for professionals in the orthopaedic field. The company collaborates closely with users, healthcare professionals,
and university researchers to create industry-leading and top-of-the-line prostheses. Equally, it is inspired by the achievements of its patients and works to offer a diverse range of advanced technologies designed for maximum mobility, adaptability, and durability.
With the recognition that every user is different in their experiences and needs, Proteor ensures its solutions adapt to individual life goals and expectations.
AT THE FOREFRONT OF ORTHOPAEDIC TECHNOLOGY
Proteor’s goal of improving users’ daily lives is shared by its dedicated team members, who are motivated by a strong sense of commitment.
This energy and innovation are channelled into three fields of interconnected activity in which the company devises and develops the products and services of tomorrow.
The first field of activity is Proteor Digital Suite – a high-tech suite of interlinked orthopaedic tools developed to help professionals digitise body shapes and use the data to create medical devices.
The company’s components for orthopaedics – its second field of activity – is where it manufactures and sells components and materials to orthopaedic professionals in more than 60 countries globally via its international subsidiaries or agreements with local partners.
As a pioneering innovator in the sector, Proteor has developed mastery in the key areas necessary for orthopaedics, including biomechanics, electronics, hydraulics, carbon composite materials, glass fibre, and 3D printing.
For its third field of activity, Proteor’s orthopaedic centres network, the company boasts a network of approximately 63
prosthetic and orthotic clinics in France.
These clinics consist of nearly 500 members of staff across 60 centres, all of whom apply their vast expertise and experience to produce functional equipment to support patients’ independence and well-being on a daily basis.
Equally as significant is Proteor’s assurance of consistent, high-quality manufacturing.
The company sets only the highest standards and uses top-quality materials to manufacture orthopaedic devices, whilst its manufacturing processes must also satisfy various tests and requirements in order to conform to European industry standards.
Once the parts have been manufactured, all of Proteor’s equipment is assembled in its central manufacturing facility in Burgundy or within the workshops of its orthopaedic centres.
INCREASING USERS’ INDEPENDENCE
In order to continue its reputation for providing first-class services and solutions, Proteor abides by its commitments to excellence, satisfaction and trust, service and maintenance, and support.
The company has achieved ISO 9001 certification for its quality management system and EN ISO 13485 certification for its medical devices, further showcasing its diligence.
Granted by an official body, this dual certification not only provides evidence of Proteor’s compliance with current medical device regulations but also demonstrates its commitment to long-term user satisfaction and continuous improvement of products and services.
To ensure consistent support, communication, and help with acceptance and compliance for its
patients, the company coordinates initiatives with medical teams, users, and families to ensure the best orthopaedic treatment. In parallel, advice about fitting, hygiene, wearing, and safety is delivered directly by orthotists and prosthetists, alongside websites, dedicated social network pages, and day-long events.
Proteor also pursues a number of initiatives to protect the environment. Specifically, the company increasingly uses materials that are lighter, less toxic, and more easily recycled or reused, transforming the way in which it packages components to prioritise cardboard solutions.
In parallel to the selective sorting of recyclable waste at its industrial facilities, Proteor has implemented recycling and waste recovery measures to process the plastic offcuts generated and contribute meaningfully to the circular economy.
The company has seen a 30 percent reduction in waste weight
PROTEOR –IN NUMBERS
250 QUALIFIED ORTHOTISTS AND PROSTHETISTS.
ONE CENTRAL MANUFACTURING FACILITY CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 22,000 ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT ANNUALLY.
FOUR R&D UNITS STAFFED BY ENGINEERS AND PHYSICIANS IN BOTH FRANCE AND THE US.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH 24 UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS IN FRANCE.
PROTEOR DESIGNS, MANUFACTURES, AND DELIVERS 41,500 CUSTOM-MADE DEVICES EVERY YEAR.
THE COMPANY DELIVERS 200,000 STANDARD DEVICES ANNUALLY.
over the past decade, showcasing how effective its efforts have proven to be and its embrace of sustainable practices.
PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES
Proteor offers various solutions uniquely individualised for each user and their distinctive needs. These solutions include products to assist with scoliosis, amputation, plagiocephaly, trauma, knee osteoarthritis, and multiple disabilities.
For scoliosis, the company produces a fully customised and therapeutic orthopaedic brace moulded to the body and designed to counter the existing deformation, allowing for balanced spinal growth. Despite there being different types of scoliosis braces, each one is specifically designed and tailored to the medical prescription, weight, height, and spinal column deformation of the individual user.
CUSTOM FORCE, TORQUE AND LOAD SENSORS FOR EVERY INDUSTRY
Unique strain gage-based sensors for specialised or demanding applications.
• Semiconductor Gage Installation Expertise
• Concept to Full Production
• Extreme Environment Protection
A range of custom sensor technologies to complete OEM designs.
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746 Arrow Grand Circle, Covina, CA 91722
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To aid those who have undergone an amputation, Proteor manufactures both lower and upper limb prostheses. Lower limb prostheses allow users to walk and rediscover their independence, whilst upper limb prostheses enhance an amputee’s physical appearance and functional performance.
The prostheses are custom-made through precisely assembling the liner, socket, knee, foot, and cosmetic cover.
Plagiocephaly, also known as flat head syndrome, commonly affects babies. Proteor helps infants and their families by developing fully customised plagiocephaly helmets that remodel the shape of the skull by changing the distribution of pressure when the baby lies on its back.
The company proposes the Kinoo solution, which is more than just a helmet, but an overall strategy for managing the condition. It works with a multidisciplinary team to redesign
all stages of corrective helmet therapy, whilst ensuring the wellbeing of the baby is paramount.
To assist those who have undergone trauma, Proteor creates orthosis – a common treatment prescribed as a supplement to surgery. It provides replacement support in the event of a loss of function or compensates for a disability or osteoarticular, muscular, or neurological deficiency.
Orthoses can be custom-made or off-the-shelf and worn on different parts of the body to reduce pain, assist with a motor deficiency, correct a deformation, or facilitate movement.
There are many types of braces for knee osteoarthritis; however, Proteor utilises custom-made ones designed for each user’s specifications.
The Odra knee brace, developed by the company, combines distraction and rotation to reduce the pressure on the medial compartment of the knee, thus speedily and durably
alleviating the pain experienced by the wearer. It is lightweight, unobtrusive, and less restrictive than other options.
For those with multiple disabilities, Proteor produces a range of orthopaedic equipment allowing users to preserve an orthopaedic posture and maintain a seated, standing, or lying position whilst ensuring high levels of comfort and preventing pressure sores.
These solutions accommodate factors inherent to the patient and are fitted by a qualified and accredited orthotist.
With vast offerings to assist in its mission of improving users’ daily lives, Proteor is well on its way to continuing its international prestige as a world-class provider of orthopaedic technologies.
The company proudly believes in the power of collective effort to achieve incredible outcomes, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.