Expert voice: meeting with Julien Bavant, Dupont Orthopedics

U-Exist would probably not exist without the trust of medical professionals, many of whom have been with us since the beginning of the adventure and thanks to whom our designs come to life on prostheses. This is the case of Julien, an unusual ortho-prosthetist, between artist and craftsman, who we really wanted to talk to you about!

Hello Julien. Can you introduce yourself and your activity ? 

My name is Julien Bavant, I have been practicing orthopedics for 23 years, including 18 years in Lille. I am now an applicator for the Dupont Orthopedics group, whose head office is located in Dunkirk. I receive patients, take casts and measurements, with the particularity of also doing the manufacturing: from the impression to the realization, including the follow-up of the fitting. This double role allows me to assimilate the different stages of production in order to detect any problems arising from the application, the technique or the material.

What is the specificity of Dupont Orthopedics?

We are a small group, located in Dunkerque, Villeneuve d'Ascq, Le Bourget and Lens. Our speciality is the large apparatus, we realize as well prostheses as ortheses, for lower and upper limbs. Lower limb prostheses are mainly used in geriatrics. As for me, I specialize in upper limb prostheses, which are mostly related to agenesis or traumatic causes. 

Tell us more about this specialty?

Most of my work consists of designing the aesthetics of the prosthesis and sculpting it while making it as comfortable and practical as possible. In the approach, I wish to give no limits in the choice of the patient, even completely crazy ideas. I create rather atypical prostheses by working on reliefs with the material, while integrating research into ergonomics, comfort and socket technology. I propose the U-Exist customization but it can also be a non-existent base or an intermediate solution: I start from the pattern that I extend in the material for example. I like to rework original prosthesis shapes that don't really look like a limb. Even if we have to respect the shape of a limb, it can be diverted in a slightly futuristic-robotic way, while respecting the functionality.

All the atypical prostheses I made are visible on my Facebook page : Ortosee

What are your latest innovations at Dupont Orthopaedics?

When it comes to technology, bionic prostheses and poly-digital hands are the great innovation of the decade in the orthopaedic field. Dupont offers all of these on the market. For the lower limbs, we make prostheses with microprocessor knees (electric knees that manage the flexion or extension of the knee electronically). In terms of socket technology, we manufacture our own sleeves by transforming the raw material and working with the silicone family. We also have a digital milling machine that allows us to manufacture emergency corsets.

How long have you been working with U-Exist? 

We've been working together with U-Exist since the studio was founded in 2015. We have collaborated on several projects together: Simon creates custom designs for the prostheses we make, it's a real team effort. We have also participated in a few events together: fashion shows, Dubai World Expo... 

As a health professional, have you found that the prosthesis can be a means of expression for the patient? 

Yes, just like the ortho-prosthetist! I've always been convinced of that. At the time I was doing patchwork, it was more of a system D. When Simon created U-Exist, it was the first time that people discovered high-quality, designer products. U-Exist created a real revolution in the orthopedic world because it allowed us to really showcase prostheses and change the way we look at disability. In terms of patient impact, this is quite significant.

Do you have an anecdote to tell us? 

I remember a very young boy who did not want a cosmetic prosthesis at all because he wanted it to look like his other leg. At first, we provided him with a prosthesis with a temporary fabric while waiting for the design of its silicone coating. Eventually he got used to it and this technical trial turned into a love affair!

In the whole process, whether it's due to an accident or a deformity, patients have no choice but to live with that disability. Here, it's part of the protocol where they are given a choice. So it's pretty much welcomed and it helps the pill go down. There are many patients who were hesitant at first, because by choosing to customize your prosthesis, you decide to expose yourself. But the positive feedback is that they are no longer approached in a medical context but rather as if they were wearing a beautiful garment. It's completely unbridled, today it's really the aesthetic aspect that comes first and the prosthesis itself goes out the window. 

Another anecdote made an impression on me at the time. It was during an event in which U-exist was participating. On that occasion, I had designed the prosthesis of a model who literally jumped into my arms to thank me. Her mother, who was very moved, explained to me that the discovery of prosthesis customization had put an end to 10 years of psychotherapy for her daughter. The psychosocial impact made sense, you could say that it saved her.