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 of medicine borrows and combines knowledge from several other fields. Among the fields it borrows from are pathophysiology, engineering, anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. The use of these devices helps to correct a wide range of conditions. Among those conditions are strokes, injury in the spinal cord, spina bifida, and cerebral palsy. These devices can also be used in sports to optimize performance.
Initially, body parts of concern were traced in order to make well-fitting orthoses. However, the procedure changed when the plaster of Paris was invented and allowed for molds of organs to be able to be made. The plaster of Paris molds raise accuracy and have remained dominant in this industry. Introduction of computers in this field has made computer aided designing to be used. CNC machines and 3D printing are some among the other technologies use to improve accuracy, speed, and ease of designing orthoses.
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.
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.
A three-part test must also be done and passed before certified status is awarded. Those who are certified assume the title of CO, the short form for certified orthotist. Other qualification that may be based upon when certifying professionals in this field are Pedorthics and prosthetics.
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.
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 of medicine borrows and combines knowledge from several other fields. Among the fields it borrows from are pathophysiology, engineering, anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. The use of these devices helps to correct a wide range of conditions. Among those conditions are strokes, injury in the spinal cord, spina bifida, and cerebral palsy. These devices can also be used in sports to optimize performance.
Initially, body parts of concern were traced in order to make well-fitting orthoses. However, the procedure changed when the plaster of Paris was invented and allowed for molds of organs to be able to be made. The plaster of Paris molds raise accuracy and have remained dominant in this industry. Introduction of computers in this field has made computer aided designing to be used. CNC machines and 3D printing are some among the other technologies use to improve accuracy, speed, and ease of designing orthoses.
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.
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.
A three-part test must also be done and passed before certified status is awarded. Those who are certified assume the title of CO, the short form for certified orthotist. Other qualification that may be based upon when certifying professionals in this field are Pedorthics and prosthetics.
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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