Abduction - Moving a limb away from
midline of the body
Achilles tendon - Prominent tendon at
the back of the leg, behind the ankle
Adduction - Moving a limb toward the midline
of the body
ADL - Activities of daily living
AFO - Ankle Foot Orthosis
AK - A prosthesis or amputation above
the knee, more commonly, Transfemoral
Alignment - The orientation of a prosthetic
socket in relation to foot and knee components in all
three planes
Amputation - Removal of all or part of
a limb
Amputee - A person who has had all or
part of a limb amputated, or was born without a limb or
part of a limb
Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) - An orthosis
(brace) which is prescribed to support or control the
ankle
Anterior - Toward the front of the body
Atrophy -The reduction in the size of
a muscle, often from disuse
BE -An amputation or prosthesis below
the elbow - more commonly, Transradial
Bench alignment - The basic alignment
of a socket and other components which is established
before the prosthetist begins to align the prosthesis
on the client
Bilateral - "Both sides" - if
both legs are amputated, bilateral prostheses would be
provided
Biomechanics - The scientific study of
body movement and forces
BK -An amputation or prosthesis below
the knee - more commonly, Transtibial
BOCO - Orthotist certified by the Board
for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC)
BOCP - Prosthetist certified by the Board
for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC)
BOCPO - Prosthetist/Orthotist certified
by the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC)
Bulbous - A residual limb that is large
at the end, near the surgical site
Cadence - The speed at which one walks
Calcaneus - Heel bone
Callous - Thickening of the skin
Carpals - The bones between the metacarpals
and the wrist
Cast - modification Adding or removing
material from the plaster model of a residual limb to
improve the fit of the socket that will be made from that
plaster model
Cavus foot - A foot with an unusually
high arch
Cervical vertebrae - The seven vertebrae
of the neck
Check socket - A socket, usually transparent,
which is used to evaluate the socket fit before the fabrication
of the final socket - also called a test socket
Chopart - A partial foot amputation leaving
only the calcaneus and talus intact
Clavicle - The collar bone
CO - Orthotist certified by the American
Board for Certification (ABC)
Coccyx - Distal portion of vertebral column;
the tail bone
Compound fracture - A bone fracture which
has broken through the skin
Congenital - "Born with", as
with birth deformities
Congenital limb deficiency - Absence of
a limb or part of a limb at the time of birth
Contracture - A shortening of a muscle
Cosmesis - The appearance of a device
Cosmetic cover - The protective external
cover that gives an endoskeletal prosthesis a normal anatomical
appearance
CP - Prosthetist certified by the American
Board for Certification (ABC)
CPO - Prosthetist/Orthotist certified
by the American Board for Certification (ABC)
Decubitis - ulcer Bed sore; pressure sore
Definitive prosthesis - This prosthesis
is a permanent device
Definitive prosthesis - A permanent prosthesis
which, it is anticipated, the client will use for a long
time
Disarticulation - Amputation through a
joint; no bone is cut
Distal - Away from the trunk - when referring
to a limb, the part farthest from the body
Doffing - The act of taking the prosthesis
or orthosis off
Donning - The act of putting the prosthesis
or orthosis on
Dorsiflexion - The motion of the ankle
joint that raises the foot
Drop foot - An inability to dorsiflex
foot (raise the foot)
Dynamic alignment - Adjusting the prosthetic
components to suit the movement patterns of the client
Edema - Collection of fluids causing swelling
of the tissues (also spelled oedema)
Endoskeletal - "Inside skeleton",
a prosthesis has the structural components inside a non-structural
cover which provides protection and cosmesis
Energy storing foot - A prosthetic component
designed with a flexible inner structure that flexes slightly
during weight bearing and then releases its energy to
help the prosthesis move forward
Ertl Procedure - A transtibial amputation
technique in which bone is introduced between the tibia
and fibula, so that they will be secured together for
greater comfort and function
Exoskeletal - "Outside skeleton",
a prosthesis which is supported by a rigid outside shell
Extension - To straighten a joint
Femur Bone - from hip to knee joint
Fibula - Lateral bone of leg, from knee
to ankle
Flaccid - Relaxed or flabby - without
muscle tone
Flexion - To bend a joint
Flexion contracture - A permanent muscular
contraction due to spasm or fibrosis
FO - Foot Orthosis, also called "orthotics"
or arch supports
Fracture - Any break in a bone
Fusion - To grow together; as in a joint
which grows together and no longer bends
Gait - training Learning to walk with
a prosthesis or orthosis
Hematoma - A localized hemorrhage
Hemipelvectomy - Amputation above the
hip joint in which part of the pelvis is removed
Hemiplegic - Paralysis of one side of
the body
Hemophilia - A medical condition in which
bleeding does not stop in the normal manner
HKAFO - Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot-Orthosis -
an orthosis (brace) which supports the patient from the
hip to the foot
HO - Hip Orthosis - a brace which controls
motion of the hip
Humerus Bone - from the shoulder to the
elbow
Hyperextension - Angle of extension greater
than normal
Idiopathic - A medical term meaning "cause
unknown" used to describe medical conditions of unknown
origin
Inferior - Away from the head; below
Inflammation - Redness which may be accompanied
by heat and swelling
Interface - Inner surface of a prosthetic
or orthotic device which is in contact with the patient’s
skin
Ischial containment - A Transfemoral socket
design which covers the ischium and contains it
Ischium or Ischial Tuberosity - The part
of the pelvis on which we sit; the "seat bones"
KAFO - Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis - an orthosis
which provides support to both the knee and ankle
KB - Knee Bearing; a prosthesis on which
the amputee bears weight on the knee
KD - An amputation through the knee joint,
or a prosthesis for such amputation
Knee Disarticulation - An amputation through
the knee joint, or a prosthesis for such amputation
KO - Knee Orthosis - an orthosis which
provides support to the knee
Kyphosis - Spinal curvature in the thoracic
spine; humpback
Lateral - Away from the midline of the
trunk; as in the outside of the leg
Lesion - Break in the skin
Ligament - Connective tissue between bones
Liner - Soft material used between the
residual limb and the prosthetic socket providing protection,
comfort, and in some cases suspension
Lordosis - Spinal curvature - often an
exaggerated curve of the lumbar spine
LSO - Lumbosacral Orthosis - a brace which
supports the lower back and pelvis
Lumbar spine - The five spinal vertebra
of the low back - the vertebrae between the pelvis and
the ribs
Malleolus - A rounded bony prominence
on either side of the ankle joint - the plural is malleoli
Manipulation - Treatment by manual techniques
Manual locking knee - A prosthetic knee
component, which can be locked in extension for safety
during ambulation - the lock is manually released when
the amputee sits
Mastectomy - Amputation of the breast
Medial - Toward the midline of the trunk,
as in the inside of leg
Metacarpal - The five long bones of the
hand to which the fingers attach
Metatarsals - The five bones of the foot
to which the toes attach
Multiaxial foot - A prosthetic foot that
has motion in more than one plane
Muscle - Tissue which has ability to contract
when stimulated
Myodesis procedure - An amputation technique
in which the cut muscles are secured to the bone so that
they will perform better with less atrophy
Myoelectric prosthesis - An upper limb
prosthesis which uses electrodes within the socket to
convert muscular contraction of the residual limb into
signals which activate the elbow, wrist, or terminal device
Nerve - Tissue capable of transmitting
impulses
Neuroma - An overgrowth of nerve tissue
Non-union - A fractured bone which does
not heal normally
Occipital - Relating to the back of the
head
Occupational therapy - Treatment to improve
tasks of work or daily living
Orthoses - The plural of orthosis (orthopedic
brace)
Orthosis - An orthopedic brace or appliance
Orthotics - The art and science of fitting
orthoses (orthopedic braces). Also a term for Foot Orthoses
or arch supports
Orthotist - A professional who designs,
supplies, and fits orthotic braces
OT - Occupational Therapist
Paralysis - Inability to use muscles because
of nerve damage
Paraplegia - Partial or complete paralysis
of both legs
Paraplegic - One who has paraplegia; paralyzed
from the waist down
Patella - The kneecap
Pathomechanics - The scientific study
of faulty body movement
Peripheral vascular disease - Disease
of the small blood vessels near the skin surface
Pes Planus - A foot with a low or flat
arch
Phalanges - Fingers or toes
Phantom pain - An abnormal painful sensation
in that part of an amputated limb that is no longer present
Phantom sensation - Sensory awareness
of the part of an amputated limb that is no longer present
- a normal and non-painful condition
Physical therapy - Exercise and training
to restore function
Pistoning - When the residual limb moves
slightly into and out of the socket
Plantar - The bottom surface of the foot
- the sole
PMR - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Polycentric knee - A prosthetic knee component
with more than one axis of rotation to increase knee stability.
It is helpful for fitting amputees with long residual
limbs because it improves cosmesis by minimizing the length
of the thigh section
Posterior - Toward the back of the body
Post-operative prosthesis - A prosthesis
which is fitted to the patient immediately following surgery
Prehension - To hold or grasp
Prognosis - Prediction of the medical
outcome
Prostheses - The plural of prosthesis
(artificial limb)
Prosthesis - A device which replaces a
missing body part; an artificial limb
Prosthetist - A professional specializing
in designing, fitting and fabricating artificial limbs
PT - Physical therapist, or physical therapy
PTB socket Patella Tendon Bearing Socket
- a type of socket for a below-knee amputee, which is
designed to bear weight on the tendon just below the patella
PTS socket Patella Tendon Super Condylar
Socket - a type of socket for a below-knee amputees with
trim lines, which provide suspension by enclosing the
bones of the knee
Quadriplegia Partial or complete paralysis of both the
arms and legs
Radius - One of the two bones between the elbow and hand;
the radius joins the hand nearest the thumb
Residual limb - That part of the limb
which remains after amputation - the stump
RGO Reciprocating Gait Orthosis - an HKAFO or KAFO that
links the legs so that a paralyzed person is able to step
forward to walk - crutches are commonly required for balance
Rigid dressing- A cast or device applied
after amputation, which controls swelling and reduces
pain
ROM - Range of motion - the extent of
the ability to move a joint
SACH foot Solid Ankle Cushion Heel - a
prosthetic foot that has no mechanical axis and simulates
normal foot function by compression of the heel and flexibility
of the toe
Scapula - The bone referred to as the
shoulder blade
Scoliosis - Lateral curvature of the spine;
S shaped spine
Silesian bandage or belt - A flexible
belt which can be used to assist the suspension of a transfemoral
prosthesis - "bandage" is used in the older
sense of the word, meaning "something that binds"
Single axis foot - A prosthetic foot with
only one pivot point which allows movement in one plane
Socket - The part of the prosthesis that
encloses the residual limb
Spasm - Involuntary muscle contraction
Spastic - Subject to involuntary muscular contractions
or spasms
Spinal orthosis - Brace applied to all
or part of the trunk, head and neck, and their intermediate
joints
Stance control knee - A prosthetic knee
component with a mechanism which increases the safety
and stability of the knee
Static alignment - Alignment of the prosthesis
or orthosis while the patient is standing but not walking
Stockinette - A tubular cotton or nylon
fabric which is sometimes used to don a prosthetic socket
Stroke - Rupturing of a blood vessel in
the brain
Stump shrinker - A compressive wrapping
or sock applied to the residual limb to prevent swelling
and shape the limb, commonly used during the first post-operative
months
Stump sock - A sock worn over the residual
limb to cushion the limb and provide a snug fit between
limb and socket
Suction socket - A type of prosthetic
socket that is held on the limb with negative pressure
Suspension - To hold up or suspend; used
to describe the method of holding a prosthesis in place
Suspension sleeve - A flexible component
that suspends a transtibial prosthesis - it is an elastic
tubular sleeve that is pulled over the upper part of the
prosthesis and then rolled up on the thigh once the prosthesis
has been donned
Syme - An ankle disarticulation amputation
procedure named for the physician who invented it - the
bulbous end of the limb is often able to bear weight.
Also, a prosthesis for a Syme amputee
Tarsals - The bones between the metatarsals and the bones
of the ankle joint and heel
Temporary prosthesis - A prosthesis fitted
soon after amputation so that gait training can begin
Terminal device - Term used to describe
portion of upper extremity prosthesis which replaces the
hand - a prosthetic hand or hook
Test socket - A socket, usually transparent,
which is used to evaluate the socket fit before the fabrication
of the final socket - also called a check socket
Thermoplastic - A type of plastic that
can be heated and formed
Thoracic vertebra - The 12 spinal vertebra
to which ribs are attached
Tibia - One of two bones from knee to
ankle joint - the shin bone
TLSO - Thoracolumbar-Sacral Orthosis -
a brace which supports the spine from pelvis to armpits
Torso - The chest and abdominal area -
the trunk
Total contact - A socket design that provides
contact with all parts of the residual limb
Traction - External force used to pull
a body member
Transfemoral (TF) - amputation Amputation
above the knee
Transhumeral (TH) - amputation Amputation
above the elbow
Transmetasatal (TM) - amputation A partial
foot amputation through the metatarsal bones
Transradial (TR) - amputation Amputation
below the elbow
Transtibial (TT) - amputation Amputation
below the knee
Traumatic amputation - The removal of
a limb as a result of an accident or injury
Tremor - Involuntary shaking
Ulcer - Lesion or opening of the skin
Ulna - One of two bones between the elbow
and hand - the ulna joins the hand nearest the little
finger
Umbilicus - Navel
Unilateral - One side only; used to describe
an amputee missing one extremity
Upper extremity - Same as upper limb -
having to do with the arms
Valgus - Bent or angled
outward; at the knee, bowlegged
Varus - Bent or angled
inward; at the knee, knock-knee
Vascular - Relating to
or containing blood vessels
Vascular amputation -
Amputation surgery performed as a result of impaired blood
circulation
WHO Wrist-Hand Orthosis
- an orthosis which supports the wrist and hand
Wrist unit - An
upper limb prosthetic component that allows the amputee
to position the terminal device for optimum function
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