Education & Experience
With more than three decades of experience in orthotics, prosthetics, and medical rehabilitation, David Rabe brings extensive clinical, operational, and product-development experience to Gramercy Custom Orthotics & AFO.
Throughout his career, David has founded and led multiple orthotic and prosthetic practices across New York and New Jersey, served as Vice President of Rehabilitation Services within a major healthcare system, and held executive leadership roles involving both patient care and orthopedic product development.
His experience spans nearly every aspect of orthotic and prosthetic care, including:
- Custom orthotic and prosthetic evaluation and fitting
- Complex bracing and rehabilitation
- Clinical fabrication and device modification
- Myoelectric prosthetics
- Spinal orthotic systems
- Multi-site clinical operations
- Product development
- Additive manufacturing and advanced fabrication technologies
David has also been involved in the development of orthopedic devices and has secured multiple U.S. utility and design patents related to orthopedic technology.
Education and Advanced Training
David earned a Bachelor of Science from New York University and completed postgraduate training in Orthotics and Prosthetics.
He also completed a clinical fellowship at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, a nationally recognized rehabilitation institution with a long history in complex neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation.
His professional background combines formal orthotic and prosthetic training with decades of hands-on experience in patient care, rehabilitation, device design, and clinical leadership.
Clinical Expertise
David’s clinical experience includes the evaluation, fitting, and management of patients requiring:
- AFOs (Ankle-Foot Orthoses)
- KAFOs (Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses)
- HKAFOs (Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses)
- Specialized knee and ankle braces
- Spinal orthoses
- Complex lower-extremity bracing
- Myoelectric and advanced prosthetic systems
- Orthotic solutions for neurological and neuromuscular conditions
His approach emphasizes the relationship between device design, biomechanics, comfort, gait, and functional mobility.
Rather than treating an orthosis as an isolated device, David focuses on how the brace performs during the patient’s real-world activities and how it fits into the broader rehabilitation process.
Leadership in Orthotics and Prosthetics
In addition to direct patient care, David has held senior leadership roles in orthotics, prosthetics, and rehabilitation.
His experience includes:
- Establishing and managing orthotic and prosthetic practices
- Leading rehabilitation-service operations
- Supervising multi-location clinical programs
- Developing orthopedic products
- Implementing advanced fabrication methods
- Launching additive-manufacturing capabilities
This combination of clinical and operational experience gives David a broad perspective on both traditional orthotic craftsmanship and emerging technologies in rehabilitation.
Professional Service and Memberships
David is a former member of the New Jersey State Licensing Board of Examiners and has remained professionally involved with organizations in the orthotics and prosthetics field.
His professional affiliations include:
- American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP)
- American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA)
David Rabe at Gramercy Custom Orthotics & AFO
As Clinical Director at Custom AFO, Ankle & Knee Braces, David works closely with the rehabilitation team to provide individualized orthotic and prosthetic care.
His role includes clinical evaluation, brace selection, custom fitting, fabrication oversight, device modification, and follow-up care for patients with a wide range of orthopedic, neurological, and mobility-related needs.
The goal is not simply to provide a brace, but to ensure that the device is appropriately matched to the patient’s anatomy, diagnosis, functional requirements, and mobility goals.