A

AAOP: American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists; professional society for ABC (board certified) practitioners. The Academy is dedicated to: (1) attainment of the highest standards of technical competence and ethical conduct by its members; (2) the professional recognition of qualified practitioners; (3) the assurances that practitioners who apply for or are admitted to membership maintain high standards of professional conduct; and (4) collaboration with other educational, research, and related organizations in developing technical and ethical standards for orthotics and prosthetics.

ABC: American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics; nationally recognized certification (ie credentialing) board for individuals and facilities in the fields of orthotics and prosthetics. They advocate for patient care and organizational standards.  They (1) measure patient care provider’s knowledge and skills through rigorous credentialing programs; (2) establish standards of organizational performance through facility accreditation; (3) mandate professional continuing education to maintain competency; (4) administer a professional discipline program

ABDUCTION: The movement of a limb away from the median, or midline, of the body. Abduction of the legs, for example, draws them apart.

ACHILLES TENDON:  The largest and strongest tendon, the Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the heel bone (calcaneus). The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body.  Despite its strength, the Achilles tendon is also vulnerable to injury, due to its limited blood supply and the high tensions placed on it.

ADDUCTION: The movement of a limb towards the median, or midline, of the body. Adduction of the legs, for example, draws them together.

ADLs: Activities of Daily Living; refers to the normal activities that all people must complete every day, such as bathing, dressing, and eating.

AFO: Ankle-Foot Orthosis; device that encompasses the lower leg and foot, externally applied and intended to control position and motion of the ankle, compensate for weakness, or correct deformities. Also used to support weak limbs, or to position a limb with contracted muscles into a more natural position. 

ANTERIOR: The front of the body

AOPA: American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association is a trade organization of facilities in the fields of orthotics and prosthetics services.

ARTICULATING AFO: An AFO that uses joints at the ankle to provide free dorsiflexion and may include a stop to prevent or limit plantarflexion. 

ASSISTIVE DEVICE: Equipment designed to aid in mobility, includes ramps and bars, or individual devices such as a walker or cane.

ATROPHY: Continual decrease in size and strength of muscles due to nonuse; a normal and expected result of amputation.

B

BIOMECHANICS: The science of locomotion of the body.

C

CAVUS FOOT DEFORMITIES:  characterized by an abnormally high longitudinal arch or concavity of the sole of the foot. This condition causes excessive pressure on the heel and the forefoot. An orthosis can often help to redistribute pressure and help prevent skin breakdown and abrasions.

CIRCUMDUCTION: During gait the affected limb will swing outward and then back in through swing phase

CO: Certified Orthotist; orthotist who has passed the certification standards of the American Board of Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics

CONTRACTURE: Tightening of muscles around a joint which restricts the range of motion. This condition can often be treated with a dynamic stretching orthosis to gain back range of motion and is a focus of physical therapy to aid in gaining back function of the affected joint when possible.  

CUSTOM ORTHOSIS: An orthosis fabricated specifically for the patient by taking an impression (cast or scan) of the limb to be treated. A custom orthosis is designed to fit only the patient it was made for. 

CUSTOM FIT ORTHOSIS: An orthosis, usually pre-fabricated, that is fit by taking measurements of the patient

D

DAFO: Dynamic Ankle Foot Orthosis. An AFO made using dynamic materials, often more flexible and less rigid than standard plastics or metal, that will allow some movement while restricting those that are not advantageous to the patient’s treatment. 

DISTAL: A structure that is located farther away from the attached end of a limb.

DOFFING: removing an orthotic or prosthetic device.

DONNING: put on an orthotic or prosthetic device.

DORSAL SURFACE: The top of the foot and the back of the hand.

DORSIFLEXION: Bending the ankle so the foot points upward.

DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT: Assistive devices such as crutches, wheelchairs, canes, etc. that help a patient with rehabilitative needs.

E

EDEMA: Swelling of the tissue.

EQUINOVALGUS FOOT DEFORMITY: Congenital foot deformity that appears with the ankle in a plantaflexed position, the hindfoot in valgus and the forefoot abducted. 

EQUINOVARUS FOOT DEFORMITY: Congenital foot deformity that appears with the ankle in a plantarflexed position, the hindfoot in varus and the forefoot adducted. 

EQUINUS POSITION FOOT: Inability to keep the ankle at a neutral or right angle to leg. May be caused by tight calf muscles, short Achilles tendon or spasticity.

EVERSION:  Rotation of hand or foot away from the midline.

F

FLARE: A feature of an orthiosis that will bring the edge of the material away from the body to prevent skin impingement. Can also be a widened sole at the base of heel on a shoe

FLEXION: The action of bending at a joint

FOOT ORTHOSIS (FO): An orthosis utilized for the treatment of disorders of the foot below the ankle joint

FOOT DROP/SLAP:   The forward part of foot hits the floor abruptly after the heel of foot touches the floor. Often the result of weak or paralyzed dorsiflexor muscles in the anterior compartment of the lower limb. 

G

GAIT TRAINING: Learning how to walk with your orthotics or prosthetics.

GENU RECURVATUM:  Condition in which the knee is severely hyperextended.

GENU VALGUM: Commonly known as knock-knee, the knees angle inward when the legs are straightened.

GENU VARUM:  Commonly known as bowlegs, the thigh and/or knees bow outwards.

H

HAND ORTHOSIS (HO): An orthosis used for the treatment of disorders of the hand and/or fingers distal to the wrist joint.

HEEL ELEVATION: material added to the heel to accommodate equinus position or limb length discrepancy

HIP/KNEE/ANKLE/FOOT/ORTHOSIS (HKAFO): A orthosis used for the treatment of disorders of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot.

HIP ORTHOSIS (HO): A orthosis used for the treatment of disorders only involving the hip.

I

IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS:  Adolescent scoliosis with an unknown cause

INITIAL SWING:  Part of swing phase when the leg begins to swing forward during walking

INVERSION: The inward rotation of the plantar surface, or sole, of the foot so that it faces toward the median, or midline, of the body.

J

JOINT:  The contact point of two or more bones. They are constructed to allow movement, provide mechanical support and classified structurally and functionally.

JOINT INSTABILITY: The result of a weak or unsupported joint 

K

KNEE ANKLE FOOT ORTHOSIS (KAFO): A orthosis used for the treatment of disorders of the knee, ankle, and foot below the hip joint.

KNEE ORTHOSIS (KO): A orthosis used for the treatment of disorders only involving the knee. 

KYPHOSIS: Exaggerated posterior, or backward, curvature in the thoracic region.

L

LATERAL (EXTERNAL) ROTATION:  The rotation of a body part away from the median, or midline, of the body. Also referred to as external rotation. 

LEVER ARM: Term used in physics and biomechanics to describe mechanical advantage. The longer the lever arm, the more leverage and stability.

LIGAMENTS:  tissue that connects bone to bone

LORDOSIS: Exaggerated anterior, or forward, curvature in the lumbar or cervical regions.

LUMBAR:   referring to the five lumbar vertebrae which are situated below the thoracic vertebrae and above the sacral vertebrae in the spinal column.

LUMBO SACRAL ORTHOSIS (LSO):  Orthosis used to support or immobilize the lower back

M

MEDIAL (INTERNAL) ROTATION: The rotation of a body part toward the median, or midline, of the body.

N

NEUROLOGIST: A physician who specializes in the treatment of disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord and nerves. 

NEURODEVELOPMENTAL PHYSICIAN: A physician specializing in the complex needs of neonatal graduates and those undergoing early life surgeries or require feeding therapies, etc. 

NIGHTTIME DYNAMIC STRETCHING AFO: An orthosis worn at night that will provide a force across the joint complex to actively aid in gaining range of motion. These orthoses will often include adjustable components that can increase the tension as necessary to improve the overall function of the individual.  

O

OFF THE SHELF ORTHOSIS: A prefabricated orthosis made using a stock shape that can help address minor issues of alignment for many patients. These differ significantly from custom and custom-fit orthoses. 

ORTHOSIS: Custom fabricated or fitted brace intended to provide support and/or control of disorders associated with neuromuscular and/or musculoskeletal dysfunctions.

ORTHOTICS: The science and clinical service of providing orthotic rehabilitation engineering services related to the assessment, design and development of external assistive, supportive, and/or corrective anatomical devices, referred to as orthoses, for the purpose of restoring specific neuromuscular and/or musculoskeletal disorders of the human body.

ORTHOTIST: An allied health practitioner specifically trained in providing orthotic services at the direction of, and in consultation with, a licensed practicing physician.

P

PATELLA:  Another word used to describe the knee cap.

PATELLAR TENDON: Soft tendon located just below the knee cap.

PES CAVUS:  Exaggerated height of the longitudinal arch of the foot.

PES EQUINUS:  Ankle is plantarflexed and the heel is elevated. This causes weight to be borne primarily on the toes.

PES PLANUS:  Commonly known as flatfoot, the foot looks flat and is almost always bent outward. Also referred to as planovalgus.

PES VALGUS:  An acquired deformity where the weight is borne on the inner border of the foot and the sole is turned outward. Also referred to as talipes valgus.

PES VARUS:  A deformity in which the weight is borne on the outer border of the foot and the sole of the foot is turned inward. Also referred to as talipes varus.

PHYSIATRIST: A doctor of Rehabilitation Medicine who specializes in the comprehensive management of patients with impairments and disabilities arising from neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and vascular disorders.

PISTONING: Refers to the lower limb and more specifically the heel slipping up and down inside the orthosis while walking.

PLANTAR FLEXION: Bending the ankle so the foot points downward. “Pressing on the gas”

PLANTAR SURFACE: The bottom, or sole, of the foot.

POSITIVE MOLD:  three-dimensional cast made of a plaster impression

POSTERIOR:  Behind, toward the back of the body.

POSTING: wedging the base of an orthosis to accommodate proper alignment

PREFABRICATED ORTHOSIS:   a device manufactured in quantity without a specific patient in mind, such as insoles sold in drug stores. The device requires some assembly, fitting or adjustment or other modification to fit a specific patient.

PRONATION: The inward movement of the foot to optimally distribute the forces of impact while walking, running, etc. While pronation is an action that is required for shock absorption, excessive pronation, or hyperpronation will result of the bones of the foot coming out of position and can be related to any factors. 

PUSH OFF:  The last part of stance phase when the foot comes off the ground.

Q

R

RANGE OF MOTION (ROM):  The amount of movement a limb has in a specific direction at a specific joint such as your ankle or knee. ROM is a very important assessment tool used to treat and provide patients with orthotics, physical therapy, etc. and will often dictate the style of orthosis or type of treatment necessary to improve function. 

RELIEF AREA:  When fabricating an orthosis or prosthesis, reliefs are made to provide space over a wound or bony prominence. May also be referred  as a “build-up.”

R.G.O.:  Reciprocating Gait Orthosis; special HKAFO that mechanically allows paralyzed persons to walk step over step; generally used with crutches or sometimes a walker for balance.

ROCKER BOTTOM SOLE:  A modification on the sole of a shoe that removes material on the toe and the heel of the sole. Allows for a quicker rollover as well as distributes pressure through the stance phase.

ROOSTERBOOT: A nighttime dynamic stretching orthosis used to address heelcord and posterior compartment muscle tightness or contracture. This design is fabricated only by Pediatric Orthotic Specialists, who holds a U.S. Patent for it’s Rooterboot 2 design. 

ROTATION:   A circular or turning movement of a body part, such as the back or head, around its axis.

S

SCOLIOSIS: Lateral, or outward, curvature of the spine in the thoracic and/or lumbar regions.

SHANK: A term often used to refer to the tibia, or shin bone, and surrounding structures. Can also be used to identify the firm, stiff, inflexible area of the shoe betwen the heel breast and ball

SHOE INSERT:  Foot orthosis with added arch support which fits inside a shoe.

SUPRAMALLEOLAR ORTHOSIS (SMO): An orthosis used to correct and support the foot just above the malleoli, or ankle bones

SOLID ANKLE AFO: Ankle foot orthosis that provides maximum support and range of motion restriction.

SPASTICITY: An involuntary condition resulting in abnormal increase in muscle tone, activation or stiffness. This condition is associated with several neurological diagnoses and can result in decreased function of the individual.   

STANCE PHASE: The phase in gait where the leg under examination is contacting the ground.

SWING PHASE: The phase in gait where the leg under examination is not contacting the ground.

T

TALIPES EQUINOVARUS: Commonly known as clubfoot, this foot position presents with equinovarus that may or may not be flexible. 

TERMINAL SWING:  The part of walking when the foot is just about to contact the floor.

THORACIC:  Related to the trunk/rib cage.

THORACOLUMBOSACRAL ORTHOSIS (TLSO): A spinal orthosis that encompasses the entire torso and is most often used to address scoliosis, spinal trauma or as a post-operative measure.  

TIBIA: Bone located on the front of leg below the knee. Also known as shin bone.

TIBIAL PROGRESSION: The ability of the tibia to move over the foot thereby creating the most stable position for ambulation. Dynamic orthoses can often allow tibial progression while limiting other motions to improve stability. 

TOE BOX: The portion of a shoe or AFO that accommodates the toes 

TOTAL CONTACT:  A term used to describe an orthosis that offers full contact of the limb thereby providing improved pressure distribution 

TRANSFER:  Moving from one position to another (such as from sitting on a bed to sitting in a wheelchair).

U

UNILATERAL: One-sided.

UPRIGHT:  Vertical side bar used in an orthosis.

V

VALGUS:  Deformity of the foot resulting in the outward rotation of the plantar surface, or sole, of the foot so that it faces away from the median, or midline, of the body.

VARUS: Deformity of the foot resulting in the inward rotation of the plantar surface, or sole, of the foot so that it faces toward the median, or midline, of the body.

VAULTING:  Undesirable gait deviation when walking with an orthosis/prosthesis. Upward motion to walk on toes in order to get limb to avoid contacting ground through swing phase.

W-X-Y-Z

WRIST/HAND/ORTHOSIS (WHO): An orthosis used for the treatment of disorders of the wrist, hand, and/or fingers below the elbow joint.

WRIST ORTHOSIS (WO): A orthosis used for the treatment of disorders only involving the wrist.