From boots to skates, former Adelaide Crow Dr Matthew Liptak has the world in his sights

A former Adelaide Crow’s skate invention is being sold in Asia, Europe, the UK and US, and this week the company is aiming to crack the Middle East market — as he steps back.

Former Crows club champion Dr Matthew Liptak continues to kick goals, now using a skate instead of football boots.

However, he is happy to step back as he sees a company without any full time staff just two years ago thriving under chief executive Rob Bowden and his team.

The MAXM Skate rehabilitation device for knee replacements created and developed by the orthopaedic surgeon has racked up sales of more than 500 to surgeons and hospitals in Australia.

Under Mr Bowden’s guidance MAXM has signed distribution deals in the US, Canada, the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Mexico, Hong Kong, India, China and Taiwan.

The roller skate-like device can be used at home for physiotherapy with sophisticated sensors and a smartphone app allowing health care professionals to remotely monitor the patient.

It has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration as a medical device after successful clinical trials.

Patient Lee-Anne Andrews and MAXM CEO Rob Bowden. Pictures by Keryn Stevens

Former state netball player Lee-Anne Andrews, 58, had surgery on one knee a decade ago.

“Back then rehabilitation was sitting on the end of a table pulling my ankle back with a towel,” she said.

“This time I had the opportunity to use the MAXM skate and I could see the benefit of getting that flexibility sooner, in a more comfortable, easier way.

“It was great that the doctor had access to the data because that motivated me to keep using the skate morning and night. Having an alarm sound when I was doing the exercise incorrectly gave me confidence.”

The skate will be on show this week in one of the world’s biggest healthcare expos, Arab Health in Dubai where 3500 companies from 180 countries will be exhibiting.

MAXM is one of nine local companies the Department for Trade and Investment is supporting to attend and the company’s Joe Catt has eight meetings with surgeons scheduled.

Mr Bowden said plans are on track to sell more than 8000 skates globally over the next two years “and keep scaling from there as the need for total knee replacements is tripling globally as we head to 2030.”

“The MAXM skate is a game changer in knee replacement recovery,” he said. “It empowers patients to take control of their rehabilitation by giving them the confidence to know they’re doing the exercise correctly.

“It frees them from rehabilitation appointments when transport may be difficult. A patient’s road to recovery is monitored remotely by their doctor and physiotherapist.”

Dr Matthew Liptak with the MAXM Skate. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Dr Liptak says “from little Adelaide we are becoming a global health company, thanks to the team now in place.”

Trade and Investment Minister Nick Champion said: “Arab Health provides an opportunity for SA healthcare companies like MAXM to showcase their products and expertise, with the chance to strike deals with industry leaders from around the world.”