AAOP: American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, A professional society of ABC board certified practitioners. Founded 1970
ABC: American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, A certification board for individuals and facilities providing orthotic and prosthetic services. Established 1948
acquired amputation: limbs surgically removed due to disease or trauma.
adherent scar tissue: Tissue stuck down, usually to bone.
AE: Above elbow. Also referred to as transhumoral.
AFO: Ankle-Foot Orthosis; device that encompasses the lower leg and foot.
AK: Above knee. Also referred to as transfemoral.
alignment: position of prosthetic socket in relation to foot and knee.
amputation: the loss or absence of all or part of a limb.
AOPA: American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association. A trade association of facilities (no individuals) that provide orthotic and prosthetic services. Founded 1917.
ARL: Alignment Reference Line
assistive/adaptive equipment: devices that assist in performance or mobility, including ramps and bars, changes in furniture heights, environmental control units and specially designed devices.
BE: Below elbow. Also referred to as transradial.
bilateral: A double amputee. Both legs or both arms as in Bilateral BK etc.
BK: Below knee. Also referred to as transtibial.
bumper: a rubber like (polymer based) device inserted into a knee or ankle component as a resistance or extension aid. Bumpers come in different durometers (color coded) which allow the amputee to have different resistance levels.
CAT/CAM, (Contoured Anterior Trochanteric/Controlled Alignment Method): The popular term coined by John Sabolich, CPO for his socket shape derived from the work of Ivan Long, CP. The term was replaced by the trademarked name “Sabolich Socket” do to internal conflicts within the prosthetic industry that prohibited trade-marking CAT/CAM in the United Sates.
CAPP: body-powered device named for the Child Amputee Prosthetics Project at UCLA where it was designed to promote gross motor functioning and early grasp.
CAPO: Canadian Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists.
Certification: A level of training that is verified by the appropriate professional organization. It is your proof that the practitioner has the required TECHNICAL training. It in no way certifies the personality or business practices of the practitioner or facility.
check or test socket: A temporary socket, often transparent, made over the plaster model to aid in obtaining a proper fit. A successful test socket will then be remade into the definitive socket.
(Codes) L-Codes: procedure codes for orthotics and prosthetics developed through the efforts of HCFA (Health Care Financing Administration) and AOPA.
congenital amputee: Individual born missing a limb(s). Technically, these individuals are not Amputees, but are considered to be “Limb Deficient.”
congenital anomaly: A birth abnormality such as a missing limb (amelia) or deformed limb (phocomelia).
congenital defiency: condition present at birth, when all or part of a limb fails to develop normally.
Control cable (Bowden Cable): A cable system taken from the aircraft industry to control the operation of a prosthetic arm. Can also be used for lower extremity prostheses and orthotic systems as well. cosmesis: The outer, aesthetic covering of a prosthesis, usually made of foam or a rubber like material. Foam cosmeses are almost always covered by a cosmetic stocking.
DAK: Double above knee (aka bilateral). Also referred to as Bilateral transfemoral.
definitive, or “permanent” prosthesis: A replacement for a missing limb or part of a limb which meets accepted check-out standards for comfort, fit, alignment, function, appearance, and durability.
disarticulation: An amputation through a joint: the hip, shoulder, knee, ankle, elbow, or wrist.
donning and doffing: The act of putting on and taking off a prosthesis.
dorsiflexion: Pointing the toe/foot upward, toward the body.
durometer: Means different ‘density’ or strength and in the context of prosthetics means it will allow the ankle or knee to move, bend, flex more or less.
early prosthetic fitting: A procedure in which a preparatory prosthesis is provided for the amputee immediately after removal of the sutures. (See IPOP)
ED: Elbow Disarticulation
edema: swelling of the tissues.
endoskeletal prosthesis: One built more like a human skeleton with support and components on the inside and a cosmetic cover on the outside.
energy storing foot: A prosthetic foot design that stores energy when weight is applied to it and releases energy when the amputee transfers weight to the other foot.
eversion: To turn outward.
exoskeletal prosthesis: A prosthesis that is hollow on the inside with a hard outer surface to bear weight.
extension assist: A method of assisting the prosthetic to “kick forward” on the swing through phase to help speed up the walking cycle. Used primarily for seniors, high AK amputations and those with limited strength in the residual limb.
Forquarter Amputation: Interscapulthorasic amputation.
gait training: The method of learning to walk properly using a lower limb prosthetic device.
GRIP/ADEPT: body-powered, voluntary-closing terminal devices that close with tension is applied to the cable.
HD: Hip disarticulation. Amputation which removes the leg at the hip joint, leaving the pelvis intact.
HP Hemi-pelvectomy (HP): an amputation where approximately half of the pelvis is removed.
HKAFO: Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis; device that encompasses the hip and leg.
hand/mitt: either passive or active (terminal) device used to replace the hand.
hard socket: a prosthetic socket made of rigid materials.
heel strike: the moment when the heel makes contact with the floor at the end of the swing through phase.
IPOP or Immediate Post Operative Prosthesis: A temporary prosthesis applied in the operating room immediately after the amputation.
inversion: To turn inward.
ischial containment socket: (SEE ischial tuberosity): The Ischial Containment socket cups the Ischial bone on the inside and back as well as the bottom to accomplish two things: 1) By cupping, or containing this bone inside the socket, the socket tends not to shift laterally (outside) when weight is put on it, making walking more efficient. This style of socket can have a very intimate fit and may take some time to get used to in order for it to become comfortable.
ischial tuberosity: The bone that protrudes from the back of the pelvis (the “butt bone”) that may get sore when sitting on a hard surface for extended periods of time.
IPOP or Immediate Post Operative Prosthesis: A temporary prosthesis applied in the operating room immediately after the amputation.
inversion: To turn inward.
ischial containment socket: (SEE ischial tuberosity): The Ischial Containment socket cups the Ischial bone on the inside and back as well as the bottom to accomplish two things: 1) By cupping, or containing this bone inside the socket, the socket tends not to shift laterally (outside) when weight is put on it, making walking more efficient. This style of socket can have a very intimate fit and may take some time to get used to in order for it to become comfortable.
ischial tuberosity: The bone that protrudes from the back of the pelvis (the “butt bone”) that may get sore when sitting on a hard surface for extended periods of time.
KAFO: Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis; device that encompasses the entire leg.
KD: Knee disarticulation. Amputation through the knee joint.
knee components: devices designed lo create a safe, smooth walking pattern.
lateral: To the side, away from the mid-line of the body.
liners: Used for suspension, comfort and protection of the residual limb. Includes rigid, silicone and neoprene.
LSO: Lumbosacral Orthosis; device that encompasses the lower torso .