News: Spronken’s wheelchairs, prostheses and orthoses are given a new lease of life in disaster and war zones

05 february 2026 General

Genk, 5 February 2026 – At Spronken Orthopaedics in Genk, Belgium, we strongly believe in solidarity and sustainability. That is why we recycle wheelchairs and prosthetic and orthotic components that are no longer in use and give them away free of charge. We do this in collaboration with volunteers from Doortje vzw. We give wheelchairs, leg prostheses, arm prostheses and orthoses a new lease of life in countries where the need is particularly great.

We do this entirely free of charge for the end user. Make a difference today, change the world of tomorrow! That is the philosophy of the Spronken family, and the Spronken team is happy to play its part!

From disaster zones to war-torn and low-income countries: several times a year, we do our best to collect used wheelchairs, prostheses and orthoses, refurbish them and prepare them for dispatch to those who need them most.

Read the full article about Spronken Orthopaedics Genk - VRT.be

From Genk (Belgium) to the world

“Several times a year, we provide mobility aids to aid workers, orthopaedic specialists or surgeons travelling abroad,” explains Stijn Langenaken from the headquarters of Spronken Orthopaedics in Genk, Belgium. “Sometimes this involves acute disaster zones, such as following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, but also war-torn areas like Ukraine. Just recently, we provided orthopaedic equipment to an orthopaedic surgeon from Limburg who was going to perform surgery in Gambia.”

 

Environmentally conscious choices

In many cases, these are wheelchairs that have been written off in Belgium but are still technically fully functional and in very good condition. Prosthetics and orthotics such as braces, corsets and leg braces are always made to measure and crafted from premium materials. The high-quality components can often be reused perfectly to assemble new prostheses or orthopaedic aids. In this way, we do our bit for an environmentally conscious society.

Sustainability is our priority

We always design and manufacture orthopaedic aids in Belgium and the Netherlands using premium, sustainable components. “When people get a new prosthesis, they often leave the old one behind,” explains Stijn. “Family members also sometimes bring in prostheses from deceased individuals. You can’t reuse the prosthesis as a whole, but you can reuse the premium parts. This way, they can be put to use again in countries such as Gambia and Mozambique.”

The situation is slightly different for wheelchairs. In care homes, a rental system has been in place for over ten years whereby wheelchairs are replaced after seven years. “Those wheelchairs are often still in good condition. Instead of discarding them, we clean them thoroughly and prefer to donate them to charity rather than send them to landfill,” says Stijn.

Wheelchairs, prostheses and orthoses are first made fit for purpose

“We’re not, of course, a warehouse for discarded items,” laughs Stijn. “But when we receive a specific request, we check what’s available and try to collect targeted medical aids. We no longer send anything ourselves: that’s very complex from an administrative point of view. The equipment reaches its destination much more efficiently via NGOs and medical missions. ”

All wheelchairs, prostheses and orthoses donated by Spronken are first fully inspected, cleaned and stripped of all patient data. We consider quality, safety and privacy to be of the utmost importance, even when equipment is given away free of charge. Wheelchairs, prostheses and orthoses must always be in perfect working order, even if they are free. That demonstrates our respect and dignity towards the user.

We share expertise where the need is greatest

Our staff are also personally committed to this cause. Robby Hendrickx, a prosthetist at Spronken and affiliated with the Amputee Care Centre, has already worked in Uganda and Kenya and is heading to Mozambique this year.

“When you’re there, you see just how many shortages there are in hospitals,” says Robby. “There is a lack of materials, knowledge and resources. I dream of sharing my expertise on the ground and giving people a new outlook on life. Combining travel with my job whilst making a difference to others – that’s the ideal combination for me.”

Together, we make a difference

At Spronken Group, we believe that orthopaedic care doesn’t stop at national borders. We are keen to do our bit to create a better and more inclusive world.

“Anyone who has ever received a prosthesis, orthopaedic aid or wheelchair from Spronken and no longer uses it is welcome to bring it in,” concludes Stijn. “What is no longer of use here can make a difference elsewhere.”