Last week, we welcomed delegates to Manchester for the STEPS Amputee Conference 2026. Chaired by Andrew Axon, ranked as one of the leading barristers in the North East practising in the field for Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence. The event brought together professionals from across the sector to explore how collaboration can optimise and enhance the best possible recovery, function and quality of life following amputation.
Throughout the day, panel discussions and live demonstrations brought together STEPS clients, claimant and defendant solicitors, insurers, industry experts and members of the STEPS team, to explore and discuss different experiences and thoughts on how good collaboration and communication can change the experience for a client following a life changing amputation.
The day opened with A Team Effort: Collaborative Rehabilitation. STEPS client Lisa Challinor was joined by her solicitor, Jennifer Buchanan, Partner at FieldFisher; Kate Gibbons, Clinical Lead Senior Case Manager at Emma Way; Stuart Giddings, Partner ar DWF; and Peter Durkin, Co-Founder & Prosthetist / Orthotist, STEPS Prosthetics. Together, they explored what genuine collaboration looks like in practice, from early communication between clients, solicitors, case managers and clinical teams to longer-term considerations following amputation.
Delegates then saw the latest microprocessor knee technology in action, with Ollie Smith from Össur and Scott Kilby from Ottobock joined by STEPS clients Beth Tyson and Lisa Challinor for live demonstrations.
This was followed by a fascinating session exploring body image and identity, in which STEPS client PJ shared his personal prosthesis journey. He was joined by Sophie de Oliveira Barata of The Alt Limb Project, STEPS Rehabilitation’s Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist Carol Bolton and Peter Durkin.
Dr Ugur Tanriverdi from Unhindr then introduced an innovative new approach to prosthetic liners and socket fit.
After lunch, Mr Alastair Marsh, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Miss Deborah Foong, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon discussed emerging surgical approaches to elective amputation and the impact these advances can have on rehabilitation outcomes. As part of their session, they shared the case study of STEPS client Sarah, who chose to undergo elective amputation following an accident at work.
The conference closed with another lively panel discussion; Early Rehabilitation: Maximising Recovery Potential. STEPS Client, Dave Goodwin was joined by David Spencer, Partner at DAC Beachcroft, David Withers, Serious Injury Partner at Irwin Mitchell; Lauren McCluskey, Managing Director /Specialist Case Manager at COTA Case Management; Victoria Lishman-Peat, Large Loss Team Leader at Zurich and Toria Chan, Founder & Clinical Director at STEPS Rehabilitation. Using Dave’s case, they showed how early decisions around residential rehabilitation and prosthetic provision can shape a client's long-term outcomes.
A huge thank you to Andrew Axon for chairing the day so wonderfully, to all of our speakers for sharing their experience and expertise so generously, and to our exhibitors for their support.
Thank you to every delegate who travelled to Manchester to join us.
