Darren’s contact information can be found here: www.poliohealth.org.au/darren-pereira-orthotist/.
Darren Pereira is the Director of NeuroMuscular Orthotics and Principal Orthotist.
He is Certified by the Australian Orthotics & Prosthetics Association (AOPA) and has completed international sub-specialty training in all aspects of orthotic management.
Darren has a particular focus in neuromuscular disorders and is the Australian specialist in Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses (KAFO) and Stance Control Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses (SCKAFO).
He completed his secondary education in 1989 at De La Salle College Malvern and commenced an undergraduate degree in Electronic Engineering at R.M.I.T the following year. At the end of first year, he transferred into the Bachelor of Prosthetics & Orthotics program at Latrobe University Melbourne and completed the undergraduate degree in 1994.
Darren’s clinical semester was completed in public practice at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Los Angeles California. He then spent two and a half years in private practice in Los Angeles before returning to the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne in 1998. Darren held public appointments as the Chief of Prosthetics & Orthotics at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Consultant Orthotist for Polio Services Victoria from 1998 – 2009.
Watch this footage of the dramatic walking improvement afforded to polio survivor Ron Bell by a Stance Control Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (2 mins 7 secs). Note that a SCKAFO is not suitable for all polio survivors – individual assessment is required.