ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS

Introduction to Orthotics
and Prosthetics
DEFINITION
Splint - A rigid or flexible material used to protect, immobilize
or restrict motion in a part

Brace - An appliance that gives support to movable part (as a

joint/ fractured bone)
Orthotics
◦ The subject dealing with orthosis
◦ A branch of mechanical & bracing of weak or ineffective
joints or muscles

Orthosis
◦ A Greek word which means “straightening”
◦ A device prescribed by doctors for special conditions
affecting the limbs or trunk
Orthotist
The person who
manufactures the orthosis

Orthotic device
Designed for the support
of weak or ineffective
joints or muscles
Prosthetics - The subject dealing with prosthesis
Prosthesis - A device or appliance prescribed and used to
replace a removed, absent or amputated part of the body
Prosthetist - The person who makes the prosthesis
Difference?
ORTHOSES
Are used on the limbs and trunk in a variety of
conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system:
Congenital
Traumatic
Inflammatory
Degenerative
Neurologic
Orthosis Prescription

The doctor ordering or prescribing an orthosis should

understand the functional needs of the patient and to
provide the orthotist with an exact prescription that
specific the material, the joint, the joint position and
range of motion to be allowed.
Functions of Orthoses
1) Prevent deformity
2) Control deformity
3) Maintain correction
4) Controls instability
5) Relieves weight bearing
6) Facilitates ambulation
7) Relieves pain
1. Prevention of deformity
AFO: Ankle foot orthosis in a paralytic foot-drop to
prevent development of equinus.
1. Prevention of deformity
Dynamic fingers wrist splint – for wrist drop following
radial nerve palsy; to prevent development flexion
deformity of fingers and wrist
1. Prevention of deformity

Abduction Orthosis
is used to prevent adduction
& IR deformity following BPI
2. Correction of deformity
Foot orthosis:
Shoe raise corrects limb length
asymmetry
2. Correction of deformity
Foot orthosis:
Heel cups inserted into
shoes may prevent
development of varus or
valgus heel deformity
 2. Correction of deformity

Milwaukee brace to prevent increase of deformity and correct deformity

during growth
3. Maintenance of Correction

Later it is replaced by backslap

foot-ankle orthosis or Dennis
Brown night boots
4. Controls Instability
Most important function for permanent orthosis
HKAFO in paraplegics with or without trunk control
 4. Controls
Instability

Knee Orthosis
controls knee instability
following ligamental injuries
5. Relieves Weight Bearing
Thomas splint is used to immobilize compound fractures of
the femur and fractures around the knee joint
5. Relieves Weight Bearing
5. Relieves Weight Bearing
Weight relief foot-ankle
orthosis may be used
following comminuted
fractures of lower tibia

Weight is transmitted
from the ground to
patellar tendon and
upper flare of tibia
6. Facilitates Ambulation
Paraplegic patients may be able to mobilise if fitted
with adequate orthosis and receive necessary training
7. Relieves Pain
Lumbar corset/ lumbar
brace/ lumbo-sacral
orthosis is commonly
used for acute pain or
following injury
7. Relieves Pain
Functions of Orthoses
1) Prevent deformity
2) Control deformity
3) Maintain correction
4) Controls instability
5) Relieves weight bearing
6) Facilitates ambulation
7) Relieves pain
FUNCTIONS OF PROSTHESES
1. Restores Function

2. Restores Shape
 ACTIVITY TIME!
Come up with ideal characteristics of
orthoses/prostheses
 Ideal Orthosis/Prosthesis
Functional
Fits well
Light in weight
Easy to use
Cosmetically acceptable
Easily maintained/repaired