Orthotics is the branch of medical profession that deals with the designing, manufacturing, and application of orthoses. The term has its origin in the Greek language which translates to align or straighten in the English language. Orthosis is a device that is applied externally to correct functional and structural characteristics of various parts of the body. Over the counter orthotics is a subspecialty within the field of orthotics.
Orthotists refer to primary medical clinicians whose specialty lies in the prescribing, designing, manufacturing, management, and installing of orthoses. The function of orthoses are several and very diverse. Primarily, they assist in limiting, immobilizing, guiding, and controlling joints, extremities, and body segments for given reasons. They also lower weight bearing forces, aid with general motion, correct function and/or shape of body parts, aid in the rehabilitation process, and restrict motion in certain directions.
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, orthoses were made by tracing the body part for which they were meant. However, this changed when plaster of Paris was invented. Plaster of Paris remains widely used within the industry because it promotes precision and accuracy needed to produce well-fitted orthoses. Introduction of computer systems have allowed for use of computer aided design, 3D printing, CNC machines and other technologies that make production easier, faster, and more accurate.
Description of orthoses follows a specific internationally recognized method. Some among the orthoses that are named following the international system are foot, forearm-wrist, ankle foot, thoracolumbosacral, upper limb, upper-extremity, clavicular and shoulder, forearm-wrist-thumb, hand, knee, knee-ankle-foot, and elbow orthoses. The goal of the International Standard terminology is reducing differences in how orthoses are named worldwide.
One must meet basic qualifications for them to become licensed orthotists in the United States. The American Board of Certification is the main body that certifies people who have achieved basic academic and professional requirements. One of the requirements for certification is a degree in orthotics. Another requirement is completing a residency training, which usually lasts one year. One must ensure that they undertake the residency at an approved clinical facility.
Passing a three-part test is also a mandatory requirement before certification. Certification makes the individual to gain the title certified orthotist, usually abbreviated as CO. The CO title is only given to professional who are qualified in Orthotics as well as prosthetics and Pedorthics too.
American orthotists are not certified by American Board of Certification only. There are several other similar bodies that can offer certification to individuals. They include the Board for Orthotic Certification, the Professional Footwear Association, and the pharmaceutical industry. Certification can also be done by the different professional associations working with physical and occupational therapists, orthopedic technologists, and athletic trainers.
Orthotists refer to primary medical clinicians whose specialty lies in the prescribing, designing, manufacturing, management, and installing of orthoses. The function of orthoses are several and very diverse. Primarily, they assist in limiting, immobilizing, guiding, and controlling joints, extremities, and body segments for given reasons. They also lower weight bearing forces, aid with general motion, correct function and/or shape of body parts, aid in the rehabilitation process, and restrict motion in certain directions.
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, orthoses were made by tracing the body part for which they were meant. However, this changed when plaster of Paris was invented. Plaster of Paris remains widely used within the industry because it promotes precision and accuracy needed to produce well-fitted orthoses. Introduction of computer systems have allowed for use of computer aided design, 3D printing, CNC machines and other technologies that make production easier, faster, and more accurate.
Description of orthoses follows a specific internationally recognized method. Some among the orthoses that are named following the international system are foot, forearm-wrist, ankle foot, thoracolumbosacral, upper limb, upper-extremity, clavicular and shoulder, forearm-wrist-thumb, hand, knee, knee-ankle-foot, and elbow orthoses. The goal of the International Standard terminology is reducing differences in how orthoses are named worldwide.
One must meet basic qualifications for them to become licensed orthotists in the United States. The American Board of Certification is the main body that certifies people who have achieved basic academic and professional requirements. One of the requirements for certification is a degree in orthotics. Another requirement is completing a residency training, which usually lasts one year. One must ensure that they undertake the residency at an approved clinical facility.
Passing a three-part test is also a mandatory requirement before certification. Certification makes the individual to gain the title certified orthotist, usually abbreviated as CO. The CO title is only given to professional who are qualified in Orthotics as well as prosthetics and Pedorthics too.
American orthotists are not certified by American Board of Certification only. There are several other similar bodies that can offer certification to individuals. They include the Board for Orthotic Certification, the Professional Footwear Association, and the pharmaceutical industry. Certification can also be done by the different professional associations working with physical and occupational therapists, orthopedic technologists, and athletic trainers.
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