Innovation and compassion are at the heart of Mariska Truesdale’s business philosophy at Wilmington Orthotics & Prosthetics Inc. 

The business has been serving Wilmington since 1992 as a provider of orthotics, prosthetics and post-mastectomy needs. It is accredited by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics and the American Orthotic Prosthetic Association.

“With over 30 years of experience, our highly trained practitioners are able to measure, design and fabricate a wide variety of custom orthotics and prosthetics from infants to adults,” said Truesdale, business owner and a physical therapist. Local orthopedic surgeons refer many of the clients.

The influx of new residents has prompted increasing demand for services, Truesdale said.

“As a physical therapist, I realized the need in the community for a combination of physical therapy and orthotics/prosthetics,” she said.

All of the fabrication is performed on-site. 

“At Wilmington Orthotics and Prosthetics, we’re utilizing the most technologically advanced components to custom-fabricate a wide variety of upper and lower extremity braces, immobilizers and prosthetics,” Truesdale said.

Products offered include upper and lower extremity prosthetics, fracture bracing and off-loading boots for wound care.

Lisa Clark is a certified mastectomy fitter and office manager who comanages the Compassionate Fit segment of the business with Truesdale. Under that unit, the business carries a full line of lumpectomy and mastectomy products including bras, camisoles and forms.

Services include private one-on-one consultations and fittings with ABC- certified female mastectomy fitters.

“Compassionate Fit is dedicated to meeting every woman’s post-mastectomy needs from surgery to yearly fitting,” Truesdale said.

Wilmington Orthotics & Prosthetics provides many patients with a new lease on life, she said, offering examples of a veteran able to walk again on a new bionic prosthetic leg or a post-mastectomy woman “able to walk out with her head up high with a new breast prosthesis to make her breasts ‘even’ after a mastectomy/partial lumpectomy.”

One unusual client, she recalled, was “a sweet dog who the veterinarian gave up on that was born paralyzed and is now able to walk again with a custom doggie-wheelchair to accommodate [its] physical needs,” Truesdale said.

Besides being busy accommodating the needs of local war-injured/amputee veterans, accident victims, orthopedic recovery patients, breast cancer survivors, infant abnormalities and others.

“This local company does much, much more,” Truesdale said. 

“I have a ‘family’ of coworkers whose strengths complement each other so that together we create the best possible experience for our patients in a comfortable, family environment. I can honestly say that my team is my second family.”

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