Veterans Share How the ExoSym® Gave Them Their Lives Back
Army veterans Derek Revisky and David Larson tried countless treatments over the years—custom orthotics, bracing, footwear, and conservative therapies—but nothing provided the relief or mobility they needed. That changed when they discovered the ExoSym®, a hybrid orthotic-prosthetic device they describe as life-changing and able to make simple tasks doable again.
The ExoSym is a custom hybrid orthotic-prosthetic device designed to restore mobility, reduce pain, and enable high-impact activities for individuals with severe lower limb injuries or chronic conditions. It is a lighter, stronger evolution of the IDEO (Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis), an energy-storing carbon-fiber orthosis originally developed to help active-duty and retired service members with limb-salvage conditions avoid amputation. Ryan Blanck, L/CPO, a prosthetist/orthotist and Area Clinic Manager for Hanger Clinic in Gig Harbor, Washington, designed the ExoSym and holds the patent for the device.
Upon discussing the ExoSym with Ryan, he noted, “New patients are often hesitant. Skepticism is common since many ExoSym patients have exhausted other options before trying the device. However, most patients –including Derek Revisky and David Larson– are excited to find that the device surpasses their expectations.”
Veterans Find Hope in ExoSym
Meet Derek Revisky
Derek served eight years in the Army as an infantry line medic, including two deployments to Afghanistan. He first began experiencing ankle pain during basic training, but trained himself to push through the pain by tightening his boots. After retiring from the service, he continued experiencing severe pain, even during basic tasks like going to the grocery store.
After many consultations with orthotists and podiatrists, Derek eventually discovered a study on the ExoSym and pursued an evaluation, hoping to avoid an extensive surgical procedure to repair his ankles.
“It felt like I had been running on flat tires my whole life. It’s just the way I learned to adapt to the pain,” recalled Derek.
“After being introduced to the ExoSym, I remember falling asleep and not experiencing constant pain for the first time. I’d been afraid of losing mobility long-term, so being able to run again pain-free was a really memorable experience.”
Meet David Larson
David began his military career as an infantryman and rose through the ranks to serve in the Special Forces. During this time, he was deployed all over the world, including Asia and the Middle East. His life changed during a winter training exercise when he lost his balance while skiing and fell roughly 500 vertical feet down an ice field, sustaining several fractures and dislocations in his right foot.
Despite trying numerous orthotics, custom-fit shoes, and carbon fiber plates, nothing relieved his chronic pain.
“The ExoSym has been a life-changing device for me. For the first time in more than 14 years, I was able to walk pain-free,” David shared. “I can enjoy the things I love again— fishing, hunting, walking the family dog, and participating in activities with my wife and kids instead of watching from a chair. These may seem like small victories, but when you lose your ability to do them, it means everything!”
More About ExoSym Technology
The upper section of the ExoSym incorporates socket design concepts used in prosthetic limbs to create a secure, comfortable fit system, while the lower section has a specialized dynamic energy-storing strut system often used in running prosthetics. Ryan shared, “Together, this adaptation provides injury-specific deflection, energy storage, and enhanced power, allowing patients to move with greater control and minimize pain.”
Hanger Clinic’s Gig Harbor facility was specifically designed around the ExoSym Care Program to ensure the best possible patient outcomes. Each person undergoes a comprehensive evaluation to determine the optimal combination of strut resistance, ankle alignment, and triplanar control needed for their unique condition and activity goals.
The experience begins with a clinical evaluation and fitting process. Once fitted, you participate in a structured training program that includes gait work, strengthening, technique development, and ongoing adjustments. This training is essential to learn how to walk, move, and eventually perform higher-impact activities with the device.
When asked about the training program, David shared, “Learning to walk with the device does take some time and adjustment, but the team at Hanger Clinic is very supportive and wants feedback regarding the device and how it feels doing various activities. Comfort is key. Making sure it’s comfortable in training helps ensure comfort in everyday wear outside the clinic.”
Although originally developed for military personnel, the ExoSym is not limited to service members. Children as young as seven-years-old have been fitted for the device, enabling them to live an active lifestyle and participate in childhood activities.
Ideal candidates include those who have experienced limb salvage injuries, ankle fusions, partial-foot amputations, significant lower-limb soft tissue damage, fractures, and other lower extremity conditions where mobility, strength, and comfort have been compromised.
Paying It Forward to Help Veterans
In 2018, ExoSym wearer and longtime advocate Kenny Mayne, along with his wife, Gretchen, founded Run Freely, a non-profit organization established to help military veterans access the ExoSym. Through this organization, David and Derek received financial support that made it possible for them to receive their devices.
For Derek, the idea of paying it forward is deeply personal. He shared that his nephew, who serves in the Navy, faced a medical discharge after breaking his ankle. Inspired by Derek’s experience, his nephew sought out the ExoSym and has been able to maintain active-duty status.
Kenny’s story of paying it forward was recently shared by the Seattle Times.
Army veterans Derek and David share how their lives changed after discovering ExoSym®, a hybrid orthotic‑prosthetic device that restores mobility, reduces pain, and helps people with severe lower‑limb injuries or chronic conditions return to the activities they love.
Latest Updates
Subscribe to stay up-to-date on our latest posts.
