Glossary
General P&O Terms
Prosthetics: Engineering artificial body parts that are designed to replace a missing limb or body part, typically to restore function or improve mobility.
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ABC-Certified Practitioner: Practitioners who successfully complete the education, experience and examination requirements prescribed by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics Inc. (ABC), are conferred the titles of Certified Orthotist (CO) and Certified Prosthetist (CP). The practitioners responsibilities conform to those of both orthotist and prosthetist and who have successfully completed all requirements.
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Americans with Disabilities Act: Federal legislation passed in 1990 prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, public services and accommodations, and telecommunications.
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Custom Designed Prosthesis: Prostheses are custom made from an anatomical positive model of an individual’s residual limb and in accordance with anatomical measurements of the sound limb.
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Pedorthics: The practice and science of providing pedorthic rehabilitation engineering services related to the design, manufacture, modification and fit of shoes and foot orthoses to alleviate foot problems caused by disease, congenital defect, overuse or injury.
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Condition-Specific Terms & Treatments
Ankle Orthosis (AO): An orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders only involving the ankle.
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Above Elbow Prosthesis (AEP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations or congenital absences of the hand, forearm and elbow, above the elbow.
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Below Elbow Prosthesis (BEP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations or congenital absences of the hand or forearm below the elbow.
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Bowden Cable Control: Prostheses controlled by utilizing gross shoulder and arm movements for the actuation and movement of a mechanical prosthetic component.
Cervical/Thoracic Orthosis (CTO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders involving the cervical and/or thoracic spine.
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Dual Control: A split or dual bowden cable and housing system used for actuation of a single component or control action.
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Elbow Orthosis (EO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders only involving the elbow.
Electric Powered Component: An electric powered elbow, wrist, hand, or hook component utilized to provide controlled positioning for functional use in the design of a prostheses.
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Exoskeletal Prostheses: Prostheses designed with a rigid external supporting structural shell.
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Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Muscular Dystrophy: The second most common type of muscular dystrophy; it usually occurs in adolescent females and males, and is not as disabling as the childhood type.
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Foot Orthosis (FO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders of the foot below the ankle joint.
Hemipelvectomy Prosthesis (HP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations or congenital absences of the complete leg involving the foot, ankle, shin, thigh, hip, and pelvis.
Hip Orthosis (HO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders only involving the hip.
Hybrid Components: A blend of mechanical, electric powered, and/or passive-mechanical, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand and/or hook components utilized in the design of the prostheses.
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Knee Disarticulation Prosthesis (KDP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations or congenital absences of the foot, ankle and shin at the knee joint level.
Knee/Ankle/Foot Orthosis (KAFO): An orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders of the knee, ankle, and foot below the hip joint.
Mastectomy Prosthesis (MP): A prosthesis utilized for complete surgical removal or congenital absence of one or both breasts.
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Metal & Leather Orthoses: Orthoses fabricated of metal and leather as the primary materials in the design of the device.
Molded Plastic Orthoses: Orthoses fabricated of either thermoplastic or thermoset resin plastics as the primary material in design of the device.
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Partial Foot Prosthesis (PFP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations or congenital absences of the foot and/or toes below the ankle.
Partial Mastectomy Prosthesis (PMP): For partial surgical removal or congenital absence of the breast.
Pre-Fabricated Prostheses: Prostheses are not pre-made in general anatomical sizes except for a temporary residual limb interface utilized in the design for a preparatory prosthesis.
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Sacral Orthosis (SO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders only involving the sacrum.
Scoliosis: Lateral, or outward, curvature of the spine in the thoracic and/or lumbar regions.
Shoulder Disarticulation Prosthesis (SDP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations or congenital absences of the complete arm involving the hand, forearm, elbow, and upper arm through the shoulder joint.
Shoulder/Elbow/Wrist/Hand Orthosis (SEWHO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, and/or fingers.
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Syme’s Prosthesis (SP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations of the foot and ankle just above the ankle joint.
Thoracic/Lumbosacral Orthosis (TLSO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders involving the thoracic and lumbosacral spine.
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Wrist Disarticulation Prosthesis (WDP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations or congenital absences of the hand or forearm through the wrist joint.
Wrist/Hand Orthosis (WHO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders of the wrist, hand, and/or fingers below the elbow joint.
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Medical Terms
Abduction: The movement of a limb away from the median, or midline, of the body.
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Circumduction: The circular motion of a limb that is created when the movements of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction are sequentially performed.
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Distal: A structure that is located farther away from the attached end of a limb.
Dorsal Surface: The top of the foot and the back of the hand.
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Edema: An excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissue spaces; commonly known as swelling.
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Eversion: The outward rotation of the plantar surface, or sole, of the foot so that it faces away from the median, or midline, of the body.
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Flexion: The act of bending a limb at a joint, thus forming an angle.
Genu Valgum: Commonly known as knock-knee.
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Hemiplegia: Paralysis of one-half of the body, specifically the upper and lower extremities on the same side, and half the trunk of the body.
Inversion: The inward rotation of the plantar surface, or sole, of the foot so that it faces toward the median, or midline, of the body.
Lateral (External) Rotation: The rotation of a body part away from the median, or midline, of the body. Also referred to as external rotation.
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Median Plane: The vertical plane that divides the body into right and left halves.
Muscular Dystrophy: A hereditary disease involving progressive destruction of the skeletal and cardiac muscles.
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Necrosis: Cellular or tissue death within the living body, such as with gangrene.
Palmar (Volar) Surface: The front, or palm, of the hand. Also referred to as the volar surface.
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Paraplegia: Paralysis of one-half of the body, specifically the lower portion of the trunk and both lower extremities.
Pes (Talipes) Varus: A deformity in which the weight is borne on the outer border of the foot and the sole of the foot is turned inward. Also referred to as talipes varus.
Pes Cavus: The exaggerated height of the longitudinal arch of the foot.
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Pes Planus (Planovalgus): Commonly known as flatfoot, the foot looks flat and is almost always bent out-ward. Also referred to as planovalgus.
Plantar Surface: The bottom, or sole, of the foot.
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Posterior: The back of the body.
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Protraction: The forward movement of a body part such as the shoulder.
Pseudohypertrophic Muscular Dystrophy: Childhood muscular dystrophy which displays a false athletic-type enlargement created by extensive fatty deposits in the degenerating calf and shoulder; most common type of muscular dystrophy. Also referred to as Duchenne’s Disease.
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Supination: The movement of the forearm so that the hand rests palm up on a surface.
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Varus: Deformity of the foot resulting in the inward rotation of the plantar surface, or sole, of the foot so that it faces toward the median, or midline, of the body.
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Orthotics: Designing, manufacturing, and using of devices (known as orthoses) that are worn on the body to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities, or improve function.
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Accreditation/Certification: A determination by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics Inc. that an eligible organization satisfactorily complies with all applicable standards.
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Custom Designed Orthoses: Orthoses which are custom made and designed from an anatomical positive model, specific anatomical measurements and/or contour drawings of the affected limb, torso or spine for the purpose of providing support and/or control of complex neuromuscular and/or musculoskeletal disorders.
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Custom Fitted Orthoses: Orthoses which are pre-made in specific anatomical sizes and are modified and custom fitted to the effected limb or spine to control moderate or complex neuromuscular and/or musculoskeletal disorders.
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Referral Sources:
Those individuals or organizations qualified to refer a patient for orthotic/prosthetic treatment.
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Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO): Orthotic brace supports and adjusts the foot and/or ankle.
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Above Knee Prosthesis (AKP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations or congenital absences of the foot, ankle, shin and thigh, above the knee joint level.
Below Knee Prosthesis (BKP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations or congenital absences of the foot and ankle below the knee.
Cerebral Palsy: Any neuromuscular disability caused by lesions in the brain occurring before birth, at birth, or during infancy.
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Cervical Orthosis (CO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders only involving the cervical spine.
Cervical/Thoracic/Lumbosacral Orthosis (CTLSO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders involving the cervical, thoracic and/or lumbosacral spine.
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Elbow Disarticulation Prosthesis (EDP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations or congenital absences of the hand or forearm through the elbow joint.
Elbow/Wrist/Hand Orthosis (EWHO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders of the elbow, wrist, hand, and/or fingers below the shoulder joint.
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Endoskeletal Prosthesis: Prostheses designed with an internal supporting structural components.
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Fabric or Neoprene Orthoses: Orthoses fabricated of cloth fabrics or neoprene as the primary materials in the design of the device.
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Hand Orthosis (HO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders of the hand and/or fingers below the wrist joint.
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Hip Disarticulation Prosthesis (HDP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations or congenital absences of the complete leg involving the foot, ankle, shin and thigh at the hip joint level.
Hip/Knee/Ankle/Foot Orthosis (HKAFO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot.
Hybrid Control: Prosthetic control techniques involving any combination of bowden cable, switch and/or myoelectric control methods for the actuation and movement of a mechanical or electric powered prosthesis.
Knee Orthosis (KO): An orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders only involving the knee.
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Lumbosacral Orthosis (LSO): An orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders only involving the lumbosacral spine.
Mechanical Components: Elbow, hand and/or hook components controlled by using shoulder and arm movements harnessed within a bowden cable control system for the actuation and movement of the components utilized in the design of the prostheses.
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Molded Plastic & Metal Orthoses: Orthoses fabricated of either thermoplastic or thermoset resin plastics and metal joints as the primary materials in the design of the device.
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Partial Hand Prosthesis (PHP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations or congenital absences of the hand and/or fingers below the wrist.
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Pre-Fabricated Orthosis: An Orthosis which is pre-made in general anatomical sizes, ie. small, medium, and large, and are fitted to the effected limb or spine to control mild neuromuscular and/or musculoskeletal disorders, or for the purpose of evaluating the need for a custom designed orthosis.
Residual Limb: Remaining part of the arm or leg after amputation.
Scapular-Thoracic Prosthesis (STP): A prosthesis utilized for acquired amputations or congenital absences of the complete arm involving the hand, forearm, elbow, upper arm, shoulder through the scapular-thoracic juncture.
Shoulder Orthosis (SO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders only involving the shoulder.
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Spina Bifida: A congenital malformation of the vertebral column. In prenatal life the column fails to develop and close normally, and a portion of the bony spine remains separated in two sections.
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Talipes Equinovarus: Commonly known as clubfoot. In this disorder the foot has a small, elevated heel; a broad twisted forefoot; and a curved outer border.
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Triplegia: Paralysis of any three extremities.
Wrist Orthosis (WO): A orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders only involving the wrist.
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Anterior: The front of the body.
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Diplegia: Paralysis of all for extremities, with the lower extremities more severely involved than the upper extremities.
Distal: A structure that is located farther away from the attached end of a limb.
Dorsiflexion: Bending the wrist so the dorsal surface of the hand points toward the forearm; bending the ankle so the foot points upward.
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EMG – Electromyogram: The monitoring or assessment of electrical impulses that are released during voluntary or involuntary muscle contractions of muscles.
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Extension: The act of straightening a limb at a joint.
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Genu Recurvatum: Condition in which the knee is hyperextended.
Genu Varum: Commonly known as bowlegs.
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Hyperextension: Extending the extremity beyond anatomical position.
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Kyphosis: Exaggerated posterior, or backward, curvature in the thoracic region.
Lordosis: Exaggerated anterior, or forward, curvature in the lumbar or cervical regions.
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Medial (Internal) Rotation: The rotation of a body part toward the median, or midline, of the body. Also referred to as internal rotation.
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Monoplegia: Paralysis of any one extremity.
Musculoskeletal: Pertains to the muscles and skeleton.
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Palmar (Volar) Flexion: Bending the wrist so the palmar surface of the hand points toward the forearm
Paralysis: Complete loss of the ability to control muscular activity in various locations.
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Pes (Talipes) Valgus: An acquired deformity where the weight is borne on the inner border of the foot and the sole is turned outward. Also referred to as talipes valgus.
Pes Calcaneus: Present when the ankle is dorsiflexed and the toes are elevated. This causes the weight to be borne primarily on the heel.
Pes Equinus: Present when the ankle is plantar flexed and the heel is elevated. This causes the weight to be borne primarily on the toes.
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Plantar Flexion: Bending the ankle so the foot points downward.
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Pronation: The movement of the forearm so that the hand rests palm down on a surface.
Proximal: A structure that is located closer to the attached end of a limb.
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Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia): Paralysis of all four extremities and the trunk. Also referred to as tetraplegia.
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Rotation: A circular or turning movement of a body part, such as the back or head, around its axis.
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Valgus: Deformity of the foot resulting in the outward rotation of the plantar surface, or sole, of the foot so that it faces away from the median, or midline, of the body.
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