Orthotics is a branch of the medicine profession which is involved with designing, making, and application of orthoses. The term originates from the Greek language and when translated into the English language, it means to straighten or to align. Orthosis is any device that is applied externally for the correction of functional and structural characteristics of parts of the body. Over the counter orthotics is one of the subspecialties in the profession of orthotics.
Orthotist refers to a primary medical clinician whose specialty is in prescribing, manufacturing, installing, and managing orthoses. The functions performed by orthoses on the body are many and diverse. Basically, they help in controlling, limiting, immobilizing, and/or guiding joints, body segments, or extremities for specific reasons. They also restrict movement in a certain direction, lower weight bearing forces, assist with general movement, correct shape and/or function of body parts, and aid in rehabilitation processes.
This field is one of the fields that borrow knowledge from several other fields. Some of the fields it borrows knowledge from include pathophysiology, engineering, biomechanics, anatomy, and physiology. These devices are used for the correction of a wide number of conditions. Some of the most common ones are stroke, injury of the spinal cord, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida. These devices are also used in optimizing performance in sports.
Initially, the body parts had to be traced to make orthoses that would fit well. The invention of plaster of Paris changed that because it made it possible to make a mold of the organ. The accuracy that plaster of Paris allows has made it to continue dominating in the industry. The use of computers has also been introduced with computer aided designs being employed a lot. Other technologies that improve speed, ease, and accuracy are 3D printing and CNC machines.
There is international agreement on the use of terminologies for describing orthoses. Classification is done basing on the anatomical joints contained in the orthoses. Under this classification scheme, examples of orthoses present are ankle foot, thoracolumbosacral, upper limb, foot, forearm-wrist, forearm-wrist-thumb, upper-extremity, hand, elbow, clavicular and shoulder, knee-ankle-foot, and knee orthoses. The International Standard terminology aims to reduce variations in how orthoses are named worldwide.
Practitioners in the US need to have basic qualifications to become licensed orthotists. The main body concerned with certification is the American Board of Certification. To receive a license, one must have a degree in orthotics. Completion of a residency program is also mandatory. Residency programs last one year and must be done in a certified clinical facility.
It is also mandatory for one to pass a three-part test before being certified. Once certified, one gains the title of certified orthotist, often shortened as CO. Only professionals who have professional qualifications in Pedorthics, Prosthetics, and Orthotics are given the title CO.
Certification of orthotists is not done by the American Board of Certification alone. Certification may also be performed by the Professional Footwear Association, the Board for Orthotic Certification, and pharmaceutical industry. The various professional associations working with occupational therapist, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and orthopedic technologists also offer certification.
Orthotist refers to a primary medical clinician whose specialty is in prescribing, manufacturing, installing, and managing orthoses. The functions performed by orthoses on the body are many and diverse. Basically, they help in controlling, limiting, immobilizing, and/or guiding joints, body segments, or extremities for specific reasons. They also restrict movement in a certain direction, lower weight bearing forces, assist with general movement, correct shape and/or function of body parts, and aid in rehabilitation processes.
This field is one of the fields that borrow knowledge from several other fields. Some of the fields it borrows knowledge from include pathophysiology, engineering, biomechanics, anatomy, and physiology. These devices are used for the correction of a wide number of conditions. Some of the most common ones are stroke, injury of the spinal cord, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida. These devices are also used in optimizing performance in sports.
Initially, the body parts had to be traced to make orthoses that would fit well. The invention of plaster of Paris changed that because it made it possible to make a mold of the organ. The accuracy that plaster of Paris allows has made it to continue dominating in the industry. The use of computers has also been introduced with computer aided designs being employed a lot. Other technologies that improve speed, ease, and accuracy are 3D printing and CNC machines.
There is international agreement on the use of terminologies for describing orthoses. Classification is done basing on the anatomical joints contained in the orthoses. Under this classification scheme, examples of orthoses present are ankle foot, thoracolumbosacral, upper limb, foot, forearm-wrist, forearm-wrist-thumb, upper-extremity, hand, elbow, clavicular and shoulder, knee-ankle-foot, and knee orthoses. The International Standard terminology aims to reduce variations in how orthoses are named worldwide.
Practitioners in the US need to have basic qualifications to become licensed orthotists. The main body concerned with certification is the American Board of Certification. To receive a license, one must have a degree in orthotics. Completion of a residency program is also mandatory. Residency programs last one year and must be done in a certified clinical facility.
It is also mandatory for one to pass a three-part test before being certified. Once certified, one gains the title of certified orthotist, often shortened as CO. Only professionals who have professional qualifications in Pedorthics, Prosthetics, and Orthotics are given the title CO.
Certification of orthotists is not done by the American Board of Certification alone. Certification may also be performed by the Professional Footwear Association, the Board for Orthotic Certification, and pharmaceutical industry. The various professional associations working with occupational therapist, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and orthopedic technologists also offer certification.
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