What Surestep does

Surestep, headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, is a U.S.-headquartered pediatric orthotics manufacturer and a subsidiary of Hanger Clinic. The company designs and fabricates custom orthotic devices, primarily supramalleolar orthoses (SMOs), ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs), cranial remolding orthoses, postural control devices (TLSO, DCO), and complementary components and footwear, serving children with conditions such as hypotonia, cerebral palsy, plagiocephaly, and toe walking. Its technology backbone is a proprietary compression-based SMO design used clinically for more than 25 years, supported by centralized fabrication in South Bend and an emerging 3D-printing platform (SMO3D, Sprout3D) using PA12 Nylon and auxetic structures.

The company sells custom orthotic devices exclusively through a network of more than 2,000 authorized O&P facilities, with providers required to complete a Professional Provider Agreement and the Surestep Provider Course. Pediatric orthotists and podiatrists place orders via paper forms, online portal, or email, with turnaround times of 4 business days for SMOs by measurements, 7-10 days for Sprout3D, and 10-14 days for AFOs. Footwear and socks are sold directly to consumers through the company's own online shop, and a network of international distributors extends reach across Canada, Australia, South Africa, the UK, and Germany. Custom devices are quote-based through providers; footwear retails at $70-$75 and socks at $19-$21.

Surestep supports its channel through CEU-accredited clinical education delivered via LearnUpon, in-person courses, and live webinars, backed by clinical research partnerships including a retrospective cohort study with the Hanger Institute analyzing outcomes across 1,140 infants for the Sprout3D cranial device. The company has delivered more than 2 million SMOs cumulatively and operates with 251-500 employees.

Name

Surestep

Legal name

Surestep

Website

https://surestep.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Surestep is a pediatric orthotics subsidiary of Hanger Clinic that designs and fabricates custom SMOs, AFOs, cranial helmets, and related devices through a network of 2,000-plus authorized O&P providers, with direct-to-consumer footwear and international distributor reach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Orthotic Devices

NAICS

Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro primary industry

Orthotics & Bracing (AFO/KAFO, Spinal, Soft Goods Supports) (HLAHAMAC)

Keywords

• Pediatric orthotic devices
• Custom ankle-foot orthoses
• Supramalleolar orthotics
• Cranial remolding orthoses
• Pediatric orthotic footwear

Headquarters

HQ city

South Bend

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Orthotic Devices: Custom-made orthotic devices (SMOs, AFOs, cranial helmets, postural control devices) sold exclusively through authorized O&P facilities. Patients obtain devices through clinical appointments with orthotists who order on their behalf.
2. Footwear and Accessories: Orthotic-friendly shoes, socks, and sandals sold directly to consumers through the online shop. One-time purchases with no subscription required.
3. Materials and Components: Prefabricated components (hinges, derotation straps) sold to clinicians for in-house modifications and fabrication.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Surestep designs, manufactures, and distributes custom and prefabricated pediatric orthotic devices — including supramalleolar orthoses (SMOs), ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs), cranial remolding orthoses, and other postural control braces — sold primarily through a network of authorized O&P clinicians. The company also markets a complementary line of pediatric shoes, sandals, slippers, and Smart Knit socks directly to families, plus prefabricated hinges and components sold to clinicians for in-house orthotic fabrication.

Product overview

Surestep is a pediatric orthotics company offering a comprehensive, head-to-toe portfolio of custom orthotic devices for children. The product lineup is organized into five categories: Move (Lower Extremity Orthotics including SMOs and AFOs), Align (Postural Control Devices including TLSO and DCO), Grow (Cranial Remolding Orthosis/Sprout3D), Play (Footwear and socks), and Build (Materials/components). Surestep SMOs use a proprietary compression-based design that has been clinically trusted for over 25 years. The company also offers advanced fabrication options including 3D printing technology (SMO3D and Sprout3D) alongside traditional thermoplastic fabrication methods.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SMO3D A custom 3D-printed supramalleolar orthosis for pediatric patients, manufactured under a one-time license to authorized orthotics and prosthetics clinicians for children requiring dynamic stability and gait support.
• TLC SMO A custom Trim Line Contour supramalleolar orthosis sold under a one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians for pediatric patients.
• Compresion SMO A custom compression supramalleolar orthosis that uses Surestep's proprietary compression design to provide dynamic stability, sold via one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• SMO2 family (Might, Might II, Might Pro, Might Pro Mid Top, Might Pro 2, Might Pro Premier) A family of custom supramalleolar orthoses with progressively taller trim lines and rigidity, sold under a one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians for pediatric gait and stability indications.
• SMO4 family (iBite, iBite Sure Step, Triumph) A family of custom higher-control supramalleolar orthoses (iBite, iBite Sure Step, Triumph) offered under a one-time license through authorized O&P clinicians.
• AFO1 A custom ankle-foot orthosis sold under a one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• TLC AFO A custom Trim Line Contour ankle-foot orthosis, sold under a one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• Compresion AFO A custom compression ankle-foot orthosis that uses Surestep's proprietary compression technology, sold via one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• AFO2 family (Sturdy, Wide Tucker, Sure Step Original) A family of custom ankle-foot orthoses (Sturdy, Wide Tucker, Sure Step Original) offered under a one-time license through authorized O&P clinicians.
• AFO3 family (Sturdy Tuck, Baker, Sure Step Spring) A family of custom ankle-foot orthoses (Sturdy Tuck, Baker, Sure Step Spring) sold under a one-time license through authorized O&P clinicians.
• AFO4 family (Sturdy Wave, Baker Wave, Sure Step Wave) A family of custom higher-control ankle-foot orthoses (Sturdy Wave, Baker Wave, Sure Step Wave) sold via one-time license through authorized O&P clinicians.
• KAFO A custom knee-ankle-foot orthosis provided under a one-time license through authorized O&P clinicians.
• Combo Brace A custom combination SMO+AFO-style brace designed for pediatric patients who require combined supra- and sub-malleolar control, sold via one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• Toe Walking SMO A custom supramalleolar orthosis specifically designed for pediatric patients who exhibit toe walking, sold under a one-time license through authorized O&P clinicians.
• Toe Walking AFO A custom ankle-foot orthosis specifically designed for pediatric patients who exhibit toe walking, sold under a one-time license through authorized O&P clinicians.
• Sprout3D A 3D-printed custom cranial remolding orthosis for infants with plagiocephaly and related head-shape conditions, using auxetic PA12 nylon lattice structures and a hinge opening.
• Providence TLSO A custom thoracic-lumbar-sacral orthosis for pediatric scoliosis management, provided under a one-time license via authorized O&P clinicians.
• Sure Step SIDO TLSO A custom SIDO-style thoracic-lumbar-sacral orthosis for pediatric postural control and scoliosis management, sold under a one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• Sure Step TLSO A custom thoracic-lumbar-sacral orthosis for pediatric postural control, sold under a one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• DCO (Dorsal Cam Brace) A custom dorsal cam-style orthosis provided under a one-time license through authorized O&P clinicians.
• Tucson Reciprocal Gait A custom reciprocal gait orthosis supplied via one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• Surestep Pulse 2 A custom orthosis in the Surestep Pulse 2 line, sold under a one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• Upper Extremity Supinator A custom upper-extremity supinator orthosis for pediatric patients, sold via one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• Wrist Brace with Thumb Spica A custom pediatric wrist brace with thumb spica, sold under a one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• Soft Thumb Abduction Splint A custom soft thumb abduction splint for pediatric patients, sold via one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• Knee Orthosis A custom pediatric knee orthosis supplied under a one-time license through authorized O&P clinicians.
• Tri Panel Knee Immobilizer A custom tri-panel knee immobilizer sold under a one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• AFO Steel Drop Foot Orthosis A custom AFO-style steel drop foot orthosis, provided under a one-time license through authorized O&P clinicians.
• Pavlik Harness A custom Pavlik harness for the management of developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants, sold via one-time license through authorized O&P clinicians.
• Cbar Brace A custom Cbar pediatric hip brace supplied under a one-time license via authorized O&P clinicians.
• Hip Helpers (Sure Step) A custom pediatric Hip Helpers hip abduction orthosis, sold under a one-time license to authorized O&P clinicians.
• Groin & Proximal Stabilizer A custom pediatric groin and proximal stabilizer orthosis supplied via one-time license through authorized O&P clinicians.
• Surestep Shoes (pediatric footwear line) The Surestep-branded pediatric footwear line — including shoes, sandals, slippers, boots, Mary Janes, and platform shoes in lace, hook-and-loop, and combination-closure variants — designed to be worn with or accommodate Surestep SMOs and AFOs and sold directly to parents and caregivers through the company's online store.
• Smart Knit Seamless Socks Seamless Smart Knit socks designed for pediatric patients, especially those with sensory sensitivities, sold directly to consumers through the Surestep online shop.
• Smart Knit AFO Socks Smart Knit socks designed specifically to be worn under ankle-foot orthoses, sold direct-to-consumer through the Surestep online shop.
• Smart Knit Big Kids Socks Smart Knit seamless socks in larger pediatric sizes for older children, sold direct-to-consumer through the Surestep online shop.
• Dual Adjustable Hinge A prefabricated orthotic hinge sold to clinicians as a standalone component for in-house orthosis fabrication and modification.
• Free Motion Hinge A prefabricated free-motion orthotic hinge sold as a standalone component to clinicians for in-house orthosis fabrication.
• HEKO Hinges A prefabricated HEKO-style orthotic hinge sold as a standalone component to clinicians for in-house orthosis fabrication.
• Spiro Joint A prefabricated Spiro joint orthotic component sold as a standalone item to clinicians for in-house orthosis fabrication.
• Branded SMO (licensed to clinicians) The branded Surestep SMO offering sold through licensed clinicians, applying the Surestep brand and clinical positioning to authorized O&P facilities.
• Online CEU-Accredited Clinician Courses Online CEU-accredited education courses offered by Surestep to credentialed orthotists, clinicians, and referral partners, covering Surestep's orthosis designs, fitting processes, and pediatric applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sprout3D showed 10-percentage-point greater improvement in CVAI than traditional thermoformed devices (42.9% improvement vs 32.9%)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Hanger Institute for Clinical Research and EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2026The Hanger Institute conducted a retrospective matched cohort analysis comparing Sprout3D (3D-printed cranial remolding orthosis) with traditional thermoformed devices. The study analyzed outcomes from 1,140 infants and found that Sprout3D produced 10-percentage-point greater improvement in CVAI (Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index). This clinical research partnership provides evidence-based validation of Surestep's 3D-printed cranial helmet technology.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Össur: Public orthotics and prosthetics company with a broad brace portfolio including pediatric and adult AFOs and knee bracing. Comparable in product overlap but operates at significantly larger scale across multiple orthopedic segments.
• Ottobock: Global leader in prosthetics and orthotics offering lower extremity orthoses, pediatric braces, and custom fabrication services. Competes with Surestep in the pediatric and adult AFO/SMO category but operates as a broad, diversified medical device incumbent rather than a pediatric specialist.
• Hanger Clinic: Parent company and largest US O&P provider network operating hundreds of patient care clinics. Overlaps with Surestep on orthotic device provision and clinician relationships, and is also the strategic acquirer/integrator of the subject company.

Direct peers

• Fillauer: Manufacturer of orthotic components and prefabricated orthoses including ankle-foot orthoses and pediatric braces. Comparable in O&P channel distribution and custom-fabrication model, with overlapping AFO and component product lines.
• Allard USA: Manufacturer of dynamic response orthoses including pediatric AFOs and SMOs (e.g., ToeOFF, KiddieFLOW). Directly competes with Surestep on lower extremity pediatric bracing and serves similar orthotist and physical therapy channels.
• Boston Orthotics & Prosthetics: US-based pediatric-focused O&P provider and custom orthotic manufacturer offering cranial remolding helmets, SMOs, AFOs, and TLSOs. Directly competes with Surestep in pediatric custom orthotics with similar product breadth and clinician-channel distribution.
• Trulife: Orthotics and prosthetics manufacturer offering pediatric AFOs, SMOs, and cranial remolding orthoses. Comparable in custom orthotic device manufacturing and O&P distribution model with similar product categories to Surestep.
• Orthomerica: Custom orthotic manufacturer specializing in cranial remolding helmets (STARband), spinal bracing, and pediatric orthoses. Directly comparable to Surestep in cranial remolding (Sprout3D vs STARband) and pediatric custom orthotic fabrication.

Regional players

• Basko Healthcare: Netherlands-based pediatric orthotics specialist producing SMOs, AFOs, and dynamic orthotic devices for children with neuromuscular conditions. Comparable product portfolio to Surestep but primarily serves European markets.
• C-Pro Direct: UK-based pediatric orthotics company manufacturing the Abduction Brace, DMO (dynamic movement orthosis), and custom SMOs. Comparable in pediatric-only positioning and custom lower extremity focus, but operates primarily in the UK and Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SurestepOrthotics
• Facebookfacebook.com/SureStep
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/surestep
• Instagraminstagram.com/surestep.products
• Xx.com/surestep

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Surestep