Glossary
My orthotic prosthetic glossary
Hi, my name is Tara and I study Orthotics and Prosthetics for 3 years now. This field of study is rare and the term that we use can be hard to understand; that's why I created this glossary to help people to understand basic words that we use daily. I used my notes and, of course, Google to create this glossary to be as reliable as possible. Now you will be abble to read articles and blogs about Orthotics and Prosthetics and understand a little more. :)
- Limb
- noun
- An arm or leg of a person
- Example: Car accidents victims can have bad injuries to their lower limbs.
- fr: Membre
- Prosthesis
- noun
- An artificial body part, such as leg or arm
- Example: This child has a prosthesis
- fr: Prothèse
- Lymphedema
- noun
- Localized swelling of the body caused by an abnormal accumulation of lymph.
- Example: The patients had previously been diagnosed with upper or lymphedema.
- fr: Lymphœdème
- Transfemoral
- noun
- A type of amputation that occurs above the knee, the patient will eventually need a prosthesis.
- Example: After a work accident, this man had a transfemoral amputation
- fr: Transfémorale
- Transtibial
- Noun
- A type of amputation that occurs below the knee.
- Example: This woman has a prosthesis because she had a transtibial amputation after a car accident
- Amputee
- Noun
- A person with an amputation because a trauma as of accident or surgery
- Example: The amputee experiences some control on the environment.
- fr: Amputé
- Congenital
- Adjective
- That exist from the time of birth.
- Example: Martin Deschamps was born with some legs and arms problem, it was a congenital condition.
- fr: Congénital
- Orthosis
- Noun
- A device fitted to the body to protect, stabilize, or immobilize a body part.
- Example: This child needs plantar orthosis.
- fr: Orthèse
- Phantom Pain
- Pain that feels like it's coming from a body part that's no longer there.
- fr: Douleur du membre fantôme
- Plantar arch
- The arch of your foot is the area between your heel and the ball of your foot.
- Example: She has a medium plantar arch.
- Rotation
- Noun
- A circular or turning movement of a body part, such as the back or head, around its axis
- fr: Rotation
- Scoliosis
- Noun
- A lateral (side to side) curvature of the spine in the thoracic and/or lumbar regions.
- Example: She had a surgery to resolve her scoliosis.
- fr: Scoliose
- Triplegia
- Noun
- Paralysis of any three extremities.
- fr: Triplégie
- ADLs
- Activities of Daily Living; refers to the normal activities that all people must complete every day, such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
- fr: Activité de la vie quotidienne
- Custom shoes
- It is made according to someone's special requirements, needs or foot problems.
- Example: This man needs custom shoes since he is 12.
- fr: Chaussures sur mesure
- Biomechanics
- Noun
- The study of the mechanical laws relating to the movement or structure of living organisms.
- fr: Biomécanique
- Ankle-foot orthosis
- A support intended to control the position and motion of the ankle, compensate for weakness, or correct deformities.
- fr: Orthèse tibio-pédieuse
- Unilateral
- Adjective
- One-sided.
- fr: Unilatéral
- Bilateral
- Adjective
- On both sides
- fr: Bilatéral
- compression garment
- Compressive forms of clothing, often made out of elastin and nylon, which are designed to enhance recovery. You can have them for blood pressure regulation or after severe burn.
- fr: Vêtement compressif
