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Rethinking Functional Therapy
For 40 years, Nea International, Ofa’s Dutch subsidiary, has been setting benchmarks in functionality and patient compliance with the innovative braces and orthotic solutions of the Push brand.
Mid-1980s, at Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands, specialists Dr. Cees Rein van den Hoogenband and Prof. Dr. Co Greep were dedicated to the functional treatment of joint injuries. Their idea was simple: instead of time-consuming ankle taping, ready-made braces should provide fast and effective support. The first prototypes, combining elastic and non-elastic textiles, were developed together with the local textile manufacturer Macintosh Retail—and in 1986, Nea International bv was born.
Since then, Nea International has built a strong reputation under the Push brand with its unconventional braces and orthoses based on the taping principle. One prime example is the Push med Ankle Brace Aequi Flex: reinforced only on the medial side, it protects the injured lateral side while fitting comfortably even into narrow shoes. “We aim to provide as much support as necessary and as much freedom of movement as possible,” explains Nea Managing Director Rob Müller, describing the philosophy behind Push.
To achieve this, product development is carried out in close collaboration with partners from clinical practice, scientific research, and elite sports. This approach has also shaped the company’s latest innovations. The Push med Foot Brace FP, for example, is based on a taping technique developed by Belgian sports medicine specialist Filip Parmentier and provides immediate relief for plantar heel pain. Meanwhile, the Push ortho Hand Orthosis DPT for Dupuytren’s disease originated from a patient’s invention and was further developed in cooperation with Nea into a market-ready product. Featuring a patented leaf-spring system that enables gentle, dynamic extension, the orthosis offers a completely new treatment option. It can be used as a conservative therapy as well as in both pre- and postoperative care.
Today, Nea successfully exports its products to more than 30 countries worldwide. Ofa serves as the exclusive distributor of Push products in Germany and Austria. After decades of close cooperation, Nea became a subsidiary of Ofa Bamberg GmbH in 2015. “Nea’s innovative spirit is truly exceptional—and that is exactly what makes us proud,” says Stephan Börner, CEO of Ofa. “Together, we want to harness this creative potential, learn from one another, and actively shape the future of orthopedic and compression care.”
