The list below explains some of the terms commonly used in the field of prosthetics. You may want to keep it handy for future reference!

 

Abrasion

wearing away of the skin through rubbing or friction

 

AE

an above-elbow amputation 

 

AK

an above-knee amputation 

 

Alignment

how the components in an artificial leg line up in relation to each other

 

Amputation

removal of all or part of a limb due to infection, injury, tumor, disease or trauma

 

Amputee

a person who has had all or part of a limb removed or is born without part of a limb

 

Anterior

the front side

 

Atrophy

the shrinkage of muscle tissue due to change in function

 

BE

a below-elbow amputation 

 

Bilateral amputee

an amputee missing both arms or both legs

 

BK

a below-knee amputation 

 

CAD/CAM

(Computer-Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacture) the use of computer technology in the making of artificial limbs

 

Cadence

rhythm of walking

 

Check socket

a temporary plastic socket formed over the plaster model to assist in the fitting process

 

Congenital amputee

refers to an amputee who was born missing limb(s)

 

Contracture

tightening of muscles around a joint which causes restriction in the range of motion

 

Cosmesis

cosmetic (aesthetic) appearance of an artificial limb

 

Cosmetic glove

an outer covering to protect a prosthetic hand

 

CP

Certified Prosthetist (For more information...)

 

CPO

Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist (For more information...)

 

Desensitization

the process of making the residual limb less sensitive to touch by massaging, tapping, using a vibrator or rubbing with a terry cloth

 

Definitive Prosthesis

an artificial limb designed for long term comfort, fit, alignment, function, cosmetic appeal and durability (to replace temporary/preparatory first fitting)

 

Disarticulation

an amputation through a joint - the hip, knee, ankle, elbow, wrist or shoulder

 

Distal

farthest from the center (for example, the foot is the distal part of the leg)

 

Doffing

taking off a prosthesis

 

Donning

putting on a prosthesis

 

Edema

swelling of tissue

 

Energy return

energy output, achieved by a spring-like design in prosthetic feet

 

Endoskeletal Prosthesis

has a soft outer shell (supported by an internal skeleton of a pylon, etc.) - components are lightweight and require fewer adjustments

 

Exoskeletal Prosthesis

hard outer shell - generally heavier but more durable than endoskeletal. The components last longer and are more suitable for recreational activities

 

Flexion

joint motion, flexing or bending a joint

 

Gait

manner of walking - everyone has an individualized one

 

Gait training

professional training to achieve a natural gait (manner of walking)

 

Hook device

a terminal device, operated by body movement, which provides a good grasping function

 

Hypertrophy

increase in the size of muscle tissue due to use

 

Interface

inner surface of the socket, or portion of the prosthesis closest to the skin

 

Lateral

towards the side or outside (for example, the outside of the thigh is a lateral part of the leg)

 

Lower extremity

lower limb

 

Medial

towards the mid-line of the body (for example, the inside of the thigh is a medial part of the leg)

 

Myoelectric

electronic sensors are used to pick up the feedback from muscle contractions to move artificial components such as a hand or elbow

 

Neuroma

a ball of nerve fibres that forms on the end of a severed nerve which continues to grow and can sometimes be troublesome and cause pain

 

Occupational Therapist

a person who works with an amputee to teach the amputee how to use a prosthesis (such as a myoelectric arm) and adaptive skills (For more information...)

 

Opposition Post

a device that assists partial hand amputees to grasp while retaining sensation (aka spatula device)

 

Orthopaedic Surgeon

a person who performs surgery on bones or muscles - for example, amputation, hip replacement, stump revision (For more information...)

 

Orthosis

device used to support weakened joints or limbs

 

Orthotist

a person who builds and maintains devices to support weakened joints or limbs, such as a brace (For more information...)

 

Phantom Limb Pain

pain experienced by an amputee in a limb no longer present

 

PFFD/Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency  

Proximal - nearest point to centre or to point of attachment.

Femoral - the thigh bone (the longest and strongest bone in the body, extending from the pelvis to the knee).

Focal - focus or starting point.

Deficiency - lack or shortage; less than necessary.

 

Phantom Limb Sensation

sensation that a limb no longer there is still present

 

Physiatrist

a doctor of rehabilitation medicine specializing in the comprehensive management of clients with conditions arising from neuromuscular, muskuloskeletal and vascular disorders (For more information...)

 

Physiotherapist

a person who works with an amputee in the rehabilitation phase to improve muscle function through exercise and can assist with gait training (For more information...)

 

Pistoning

the residual limb slips up and down within the socket

 

Ply

the thickness of stump socks - the higher the number the thicker the sock

 

Posterior

rear, back

 

Prostheses

more than one prosthesis (artifical limb)

 

Prosthetic Sock

a sock generally worn with an artificial limb that provides additional padding for bony surfaces

 

Prosthesis

an artificial limb

 

Prosthetist

a person who builds and maintains artificial limbs (For more information...)

 

Pylon

a rigid central shaft, usually tubular, that is attached to the socket or knee unit of an endoskeletal prosthesis. The lower end of the pylon is connected to an artificial foot or ankle

 

Range of motion

the amount of movement a limb has in a specific direction at a specific joint (hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow or wrist)

 

Rehabilitation

the process of restoring a person who has been debilitated to a functional life

 

Residual limb

the part of the limb remaining after the amputation (aka stump)

 

Revision

surgical alteration of the residual limb to improve function or appearance

 

Rotationplasty (e.g. Van Nes Rotation)

a procedure where the lower portion of the leg is rotated 180° and reattached - the ankle acts like a knee joint, providing extra function

 

Sequelae

long-term effects of a disease, injury, procedure or treatment

 

Soft insert liner

cup-shaped form which fits inside the socket of a below-knee artificial limb

 

Socket

the part of the prosthesis (artificial limb) that fits around the residual limb, and fits around the liner or socket insert if one is used

 

Soft Socket

soft liner within a socket to provide cushioning

 

Spatula Device

a device that assists partial hand amputees to grasp while retaining sensation (aka Opposition Post)

 

Stump

the part of the limb remaining (aka residual limb)

 

Suspension

method by which the artificial limb is held in place

 

Symes Amputation

(or Boyd Amputation which is similar) named for the surgeon who introduced the procedure - foot is removed, the shin bones are flattened and the heel pad is sewnback in place

 

Terminal Device

the part of the artificial arm which acts like a hand - can be a passive hand, mechanical hand, hook-type or myoelectric device

 

Total Suction Socket

allows the artificial limb to be held in place by air pressure only, eliminates the use of belts and straps

 

Traumatic amputation

an amputation which is the result of an injury, or a surgical amputation due to a medical condition (for example: vascular disease, cancer)

 

Van Nes Rotation

a procedure where the lower portion of the leg is rotated 180o and reattached - the ankle acts as a knee joint, providing extra function

 

Vascular amputation

amputation performed as a result of impaired circulation of blood through the blood vessels