students of prosthetis and orthotics can find some useful information here

1. Introduction to Prosthetics and
Orthotics
Basic Terminology

2. Basic Terminology
• Prosthetics: Science and
art involved in treating
patients by the use of
prostheses. “Is artificial
replacement for patients
who have lost or were born
without a limb”

3. Basic Terminology
• Orthotics is the medical
field concerned with the
application and
manufacture of orthoses,
devices which support or
correct the function of a
limb or the torso. More
recently, the term
cognitive orthotics has
been applied to assistive
technology to correct
cognitive functions..

4. Basic Terminology
• Prosthesis: Prosthetic
device: Externally
applied device used
to replace, wholly or
in part, an absent or
deficient limb
segment.

5. Basic Terminology
• Orthosis: Orthotic
device: Externally
applied device used
to modify the
structural or functional
characteristics of the
neuro-muscular and
skeletal systems.

6. Basic Terminology
• Prosthetist: Person
who, having
completed an
approved course of
education and
training, is authorised
by an appropriate
national authority to
design, measure and
fit prostheses.

7. Basic Terminology
• Orthotist: Person
who, having
completed an
approved course of
education and
training, is authorised
by an appropriate
national authority to
design, measure and
fit orthoses.

8. Basic Terminology
• Prosthetist/Orthotist: Person who, having completed an
approved course of education and training, is authorised
by an appropriate national authority to design, measure
and fit orthoses and prostheses.

9. Basic Terminology
• Prosthetic/Orthotic
technician: Person
who is trained to
fabricate and repair
orthoses and/or
prostheses. In some
countries a PO
Technician may also
cast and fit patients.

10. Some further terminology
• Amputation - surgical removal of a limb or
part of a limb.
• Disarticulation – surgical removal of a limb
or part of a limb through a joint.
• Stump / residual limb – the remaining part
of a patients limb following an amputation.
• Amputee – someone who has had a limb
or part of a limb amputated.

11. Amputation
• Amputation - Surgical
removal of a limb or
part of a limb.

12. Disarticulation
• Disarticulation – Is
surgical removal of a
limb or part of a limb
through a joint

13. Stump / residual limb
• The remaining part of
a patients limb
following an
amputation

14. Stump

15. Some further terminology
• Congenital deficiency – Absence at birth of
a limb or part of a limb.

16. Some further terminology
• What do we call the person with
amputation?
– Patient?
– Amputee?
– Client?
– Customer?
– Subject?

17. Some further terminology
• Artificial limb /
prosthetic device
– Same as prosthesis.
– An externally applied
device to replace
wholly, or in part, an
absent or deficient
limb segment.

18. Some further terminology
• Parts of a Prosthesis
– Prosthetic socket → the part
of a prosthesis which is in
direct contact with the
patient’s stump
– Suspension → the method of
attaching the socket to the
patient to ensure that it does
not slip off
– Prosthetic components /
componentry →parts which
are used to fabricate a
prosthesis
– Prosthetic joint → an
articulated joint used to
replace the functions of an
amputated anatomical joint

19. Some further terminology
• Orthotic device / Brace
– Same as orthosis.
– Externally applied device used to modify the
structural or functional characteristics of the
neuro-muscular and skeletal systems.

20. Prosthetic / Orthotic Procedure
1. Referral
2. Assessment
3. Prescription
4. Cast / Measures
5. Modification
6. Fabrication
7. Initial Fitting
8. Finishing
9. Check-out / Delivery
10. Review

21. Prosthetic / Orthotic Procedure
1. Referral
 The PO receives a referral. The referral will normally
come from a doctor and may include a prescription.

22. Prosthetic / Orthotic Procedure
2. PO Assessment
 The PO should
assess the patient.
A purpose of a PO
Assessment is to
gain information
about the patient, his
lifestyle, medical
history and PO
history. After this, a
physical assessment
is made.

23. Prosthetic / Orthotic Procedure
3. PO Prescription
 A detailed prescription is made. This may
be made independently or in conjunction
with a doctor depending on local regulations.
The prescription should include the
objectives of the device, treatment plan, and
PO prescription. The PO prescription
should describe the device required and
what materials/components will be used to
fabricate it.

24. Prosthetic / Orthotic Procedure
4. Cast/Measures
 Information of the
patient’s stump/limb
is required to enable
the device to be
well-fitting. A plaster
cast or digital image,
and measurements
of the stump/limb are
normally taken.
Other measurements
or details should
also be recorded.

25. Prosthetic / Orthotic Procedure
5. Modification
 The cast may require
modification to enable it
to meet the objectives.
E.g. to enable weight
bearing or to off-load
areas. Modification may
be carried out to the
negative cast or to the
positive cast. Positive
cast modification
involves the removal and
addition of Plaster of
Paris.

26. Prosthetic / Orthotic Procedure
6. Fabrication
 The device is fabricated and bench aligned.

27. Prosthetic / Orthotic Procedure
7. Initial Fitting
 The device is fitted
to the patient. A
static and dynamic
alignment may be
carried out. Any
necessary
adjustments are
made.

28. Prosthetic / Orthotic Procedure
8. Finishing
 The fabrication is completed and device is
finished off to provide a cosmetic
appearance.

29. Prosthetic / Orthotic Procedure
9. Final Checkout/
Delivery
 The device is
delivered to the
patient. Advice must
be given to the
patient e.g. how to
don/doff the device,
cleaning, checking
their limb, review
appointments.

30. Prosthetic / Orthotic Procedure
10. Review
 The patient should be
reviewed at regular
intervals to ensure that
the device is still well
fitting and appropriate.
Any necessary
adjustments and/ or
repairs should be carried
out, or if necessary the
patient should be
referred back for a new
prescription.

31. You can do everything if you have
ENTHUSIASM
• The irresistible surge of your will and
energy to execute your ideas……..
• Enthusiasm is at the bottom of all
progress Hendry Ford 1863-1947
• Every thing can be done play your
part.!!!!!

32. Thank you
artificial replacement for
patients who have
lost or were born
without a limb