At OrthoGenix, we are committed to helping clinicians and patients improve mobility through high-quality footwear and orthotic solutions. We support healthcare professionals with clinically appropriate footwear, orthotic technologies and mobility solutions tailored to patient needs. As part of this commitment, we are pleased to introduce Cadense Adaptive Shoes to our distribution range across Australia
Developed by innovative footwear company Cadense, these shoes are designed for people who experience difficulty lifting the front of the foot while walking. By addressing one of the most common gait challenges, Cadense shoes offer a new approach to supporting smoother, more confident movement.
Understanding Foot Drag
For many individuals living with neurological conditions or age-related weakness, walking can present a daily challenge. One common issue is foot drag, where the front of the foot catches the ground during the swing phase of walking.
Foot drag can increase the risk of trips and falls and often leads to reduced confidence when moving around at home or in the community. For patients undergoing rehabilitation or managing long-term mobility conditions, even small improvements in walking mechanics can make a meaningful difference to everyday independence.
Cadense Adaptive Shoes were developed to address this problem directly.
A Different Approach to Walking Support
Cadense footwear incorporates a unique design known as Variable Friction Technology, which allows the shoe to interact differently with the ground during each phase of the walking cycle.
During the swing phase of walking, the sole features low-friction glide elements that allow the foot to move forward smoothly if it brushes the ground. This can reduce the likelihood of the foot catching on surfaces such as carpets, thresholds or uneven ground.
When the wearer’s weight shifts onto the foot, these glide elements retract into the sole and activate a high-friction rubber surface that provides grip for the stance phase of the step. This glide-to-grip motion is designed to support smoother walking while still maintaining the traction needed for stability.
For individuals who experience frequent toe catching, this change in friction during the walking cycle may help reduce tripping and improve confidence with each step.
Built on Research in Gait Rehabilitation
Cadense’s technology has its roots in research conducted by Dr Tyler Susko, a mechanical engineer who earned his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr Susko co-founded Cadense with Dr Johanns Sauer after developing the MIT Skywalker, a robotic gait rehabilitation device designed to help patients regain walking rhythm following neurological injury.
Through this research, Dr Susko identified the potential role that controlled friction could play in improving walking mechanics. Adjusting friction during the walking cycle helped patients move more naturally on rehabilitation equipment, an insight that eventually led to the development of Cadense’s Variable Friction Technology.
Today, this concept forms the foundation of Cadense’s adaptive footwear design.
Supporting a Wide Range of Patients
Cadense Adaptive Shoes are designed for individuals experiencing walking difficulties due to neurological or mobility conditions. These may include:
- Stroke recovery
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Age-related muscle weakness or balance issues
For patients who struggle with foot drag or frequent tripping, footwear designed to reduce friction during the swing phase of walking may provide valuable support in everyday movement.
Supporting Clinicians Across Australia
At OrthoGenix, we work closely with a wide network of healthcare professionals including podiatrists, pedorthists, orthotists, prosthetists and physiotherapists. Through collaboration with clinicians across Australia, we aim to provide practical mobility solutions that support both clinical treatment plans and everyday independence.
Pedorthists and other foot health specialists play an important role in assessing gait, footwear fit and lower-limb biomechanics. Cadense shoes can be introduced within rehabilitation programs where clinicians guide patients through early movements such as sit-to-stand transitions and short assisted steps, gradually progressing to full walking patterns.
This structured approach helps patients adapt to the shoe’s glide-to-grip motion while reinforcing improved gait rhythm and step symmetry.
Expanding Our Range of Mobility Solutions
At OrthoGenix, we are dedicated to improving mobility and foot health through custom footwear, orthotic solutions and medical-grade footwear supplied to clinicians and patients.
Alongside our custom footwear and orthotic products, we also partner with trusted global innovators to bring new mobility technologies to the Australian healthcare community. Introducing Cadense Adaptive Shoes to our distribution range reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding the options available to clinicians and patients.
Looking Ahead
Helping people move with confidence is at the heart of everything we do at OrthoGenix. By combining clinical insight, innovative technology and strong partnerships with healthcare professionals, we aim to provide solutions that make a real difference in everyday mobility.
Clinicians and patients interested in learning more about Cadense Adaptive Shoes or exploring whether they may be suitable for specific mobility needs are encouraged to contact the OrthoGenix team for further information.
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