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O&P Glossary

Here is a list of commonly used terms in the O&P profession. For terms not found here, visit the Prosthetics and Orthotics Online Definitions or the National Limb Loss Information Center.

ABC - American Board for Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc.

ADL's - Aids for daily living which are tools and devices modified for disabled people.

CO (Certified Orthotist) - Orthotist who has passed the certification standards of The American Board of Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics, and maintains certification through mandatory continuing education program and adherence to the Canons of Ethical Conduct.

CP (Certified Prosthetist) - Prosthetist who has passed the certification standards of The American Board of Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics, and maintains certification through mandatory continuing education program and adherence to the Canons of Ethical Conduct.

CPO (Certified Prosthetist-Orthotist) - Prosthetist/Orthotist who has passed the certification standards of The American Board of Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics, and maintains certification through mandatory continuing education program and adherence to the Canons of Ethical Conduct.

Cervical - Pertaining to the neck.

Corset - Lumbar brace made from textile material.

C.Ped - Pedorthist who is certified by the Board for Certified Pedorthist.

Custom Fabricated Orthosis - Orthosis which is individually made for a specific patient. Created using an impression generally by means of plaster or fiber cast, a digital image using computer-aided design-computer aided manufacture (CAD-CAM) systems software, or direct form to patient. Also referred to as molded-to-patient model.

Dystrophy - Pathologic loss of muscle mass.

Fabrication - Procedure of mechanically creating a device.

Fitter-Othotics - Person who is trained and qualified to participate in the fitting and delivery of pre-fabricated orthotic devices and/or soft goods.

Fitter-Mastectomy - Person who is trained and qualified to participate in the fitting and delivery of breast prostheses and mastectomy products and services.

Frame - Outer supportive, stiffening element.

Functional Level - Degree of function a disabled patient still achieves.

ISPO - International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics.

Musculo-skeletal System - System of cooperating muscles and bones in biological creatures.

O&P - Orthotics and prosthetics.

O&P Facility - Place where orthotic or prosthetic patient care is provided.

Orthopaedics - Medical specialty dealing with the locomotor system.

Orthopaedist - Surgeon who corrects congenital or functional abnormalities of the bones with surgery, casting, and bracing.

Orthosis - Custom-fabricated or custom-fitted brace or support designed to align, correct, or prevent neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunction, disease, injury, or deformity. Note: this does not include supports or devices carried in stock and sold by drug and other stores, corset shops or surgical supply facilities (e.g., fabric and elastic supports, corsets, arch supports, trusses, elastic hose, canes, crutches, cervical collars, dental appliances).

Orthotics - The science and practice of evaluating, measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting, or servicing an orthosis under a prescription from a licensed physician, chiropractor, or podiatrist to correct or alleviate neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunction, disease, injury, or deformity.

Orthotist - Person who measures, designs, fabricates, fits, or services orthoses as prescribed by a licensed physician, and who assists in the formulation of an orthosis to support or correct disabilities.

Pedorthics - Design, manufacture, fit and/or modification of shoe and foot orthoses to alleviate foot problems caused by disease, congenital condition, overuse or injury.

Pedorthist - Individual trained in the manufacturing, fitting and modification of foot appliances and footwear for the purposes of alleviating painful or debilitating conditions and providing assistance for abnormalities or limited actions of the lower limb.

Practitioner - Allied health professional who is specifically educated and clinically trained to manage the provision of comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic care (commonly used term to refer to orthotists and prosthetists).

Prefabricated Orthosis - Orthosis which is manufactured in quantity without a specific patient in mind which may be trimmed, bent, molded, or otherwise modified for use by a specific patient (i.e., custom fitted). A preformed orthosis is considered prefabricated even if it requires the attachment of straps and/or the addition of a lining and/or other finishing work or is assembled from prefabricated components is considered prefabricated. Any orthosis that does not meet the definition of a custom fabricated orthosis is considered prefabricated. Also referred to as custom-fitted.

Prosthesis - Artificial medical device that is not surgically implanted which is used to replace a missing limb or appendage such as artificial limbs, hands, fingers, feet or toes. Note: this does not include devices which do not have an impact on the musculoskeletal functions of the body (e.g., artificial eyes or appliances for the eyes, dental plates, and largely cosmetic devices such as wigs, artificial breasts, eyelashes, ears and noses).

Prosthetics - Science and practice of evaluating, measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting, or servicing prosthesis under an order from a licensed physician.

Prosthetist - Person who measures, designs, fabricates, fits, or services prosthesis as prescribed by a licensed physician, and who assists in the formulation of the prosthesis prescription for the replacement of external parts of the human body lost due to amputation or congenital deformities or absences.

RFO (Registered Fitter-Orthotics) - Fitter who has passed the American Board of Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics standards for orthotic fitting and completes mandatory continuing education requirements and adheres to the Canons of Ethical Conduct.

RFM (Registered Fitter-Mastectomy) - Fitter who has passed the American Board of Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics standards for mastectomy fitting and completes mandatory continuing education requirements and adheres to the Canons of Ethical Conduct.

RFOM (Registered Fitter-Orthotics Mastectomy) - Fitter who has passed the American Board of Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics standards for both orthotic and mastectomy fitting and completes mandatory continuing education requirements and adheres to the Canons of Ethical Conduct.

RTO (Registered Orthotic Technician) - Technician who has passed the American Board of Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics standards for both orthotic and mastectomy fitting and completes mandatory continuing education requirements and adheres to the Canons of Ethical Conduct.

RTP (Registered Prosthetic Technician) - Technician who has passed the American Board of Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics standards for both orthotic and mastectomy fitting and completes mandatory continuing education requirements and adheres to the Canons of Ethical Conduct.

RTPO (Registered Prosthetic-Orthotic Technician) - Technician who has passed the American Board of Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics standards for both orthotic and mastectomy fitting and completes mandatory continuing education requirements and adheres to the Canons of Ethical Conduct.

Rehabilitation - Process of restoring a person who has been debilitated by a disease or injury to a functional life.

The Rehabilitation Team - Group of allied health care professionals that frequently includes physician, surgeon, orthotist/prosthetists, physical and occupational therapist, social worker and counselor who serve the needs of a patient.

Soft Orthosis - Orthotic device made from fabric or elastic components (e.g., pressure gradient hose, corset, cervical collars, trusses).

Technician-Orthotic/Prosthetic - Person trained to fabricate, repair and maintain orthoses or prostheses under the supervision of an orthotist/prosthetist.

Thoracic - Related to the trunk/rib cage.

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