Glossary

Accredited - When a governing body, in our case the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics and the state of Texas, has established standards for the facility itself and the facility has complied with these standards. These standards include requirements for the physical plant, staff, quality assurance programs, compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act and OSHA. ABC certification involves physical on-site visits and compliance with very stringent standards.

American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics - A certifying body whose duty is to examine the educational and experiential prerequisites of candidates taking the examinations in orthotics and prosthetics, as well as to administer the practical and written examinations for these disciplines. This body also acts to monitor the continuing education of its certified Orthotists and/ or Prosthetists. In addition, it upgrades its examination process to reflect changes and advances in the practice of Orthotics and Prosthetics.

American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association - A national trade association dedicated to upholding standards of quality patient care. AOPA represents more than 1,200 member companies whose practitioners custom-make and fit prosthesis (artificial limbs) and orthoses (braces) or manufacture components for prostheses and orthoses.

Americans with Disabilities Act - Enacted July 26, 1990, it provides comprehensive civil right protections to individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment, public accommodations, state and local services and telecommunications.

Beta Site - An initial testing location for new devices and/or componentry

Cerebral Palsy - Bilateral, symmetrical, nonprogressive paralysis resulting from developmental defects in brain or trauma at birth. (Source: Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary)

Certified Orthotist - (As quoted from the ABC Book of Rules, Sept., 1993)

a. The term for the practitioner who provides care to patients with disabling conditions of limbs and spine by evaluation, designing, fabricating, fitting and aligning those devices known as orthoses. At the request of and in consultation with physicians, the certified orthotist assists in formulation of prescriptions for orthosis, and examines and evaluates the patient's orthotic needs in relation to their disease entity and/ or functional loss. In providing the orthosis, the orthotist is responsible for: formulating its design including selection of materials; making all necessary casts, measurements, model modifications, and layouts; performing fittings, including static and dynamic alignments; evaluating the orthosis on the patient; instructing the patient in its use; and maintaining patient records; all in conformity with the prescription.

b. The title of Certified Orthotist (C.O.) is awarded to the practitioner who successfully completes the [board] examination in this discipline.

Certified Prosthetist - (As quoted from the ABC Book of Rules, Sept., 1993)

a. The term for the practitioner who provides care to patients with partial or total absence of a limb by evaluating, designing, fabricating, fitting, and aligning devices known as prostheses. At the request of and in consultation with physicians, the certified prosthetist assists in formulation of prescriptions for prostheses, and examines and evaluates the patient's prosthetic needs in relation to their disease entity and functional loss. In providing the prostheses the prosthetist is responsible for: formulating its design, including selection measurements and model modification; performing fittings, including static and dynamic alignments; evaluating the prosthesis on the patient; instructing the patient in its use; and maintaining patient records; all in conformity with the prescription. The prosthetist is expected to keep abreast of new developments concerning prosthetic patient care, and is responsible for the functions and activities related to the development of prostheses.

b. The title of Certified Prosthetist (C.P.) is awarded to the practitioner who successfully completes the [board] examination in the discipline.

Certified Prosthetist-Orthotist -

a. A prosthetist-orthotist is one whose responsibilities and functions conform to those of both the orthotist and prosthetist, as defined above.

b. The title of Certified Orthotist-Prosthetist (C.P.O.) is awarded to the practitioner who successfully completes the [board] examination in both these disciplines.

CVA- cerebrovascular accident - A general term most commonly applied to cerebrovascular conditions that accompany either ischemic or hemorrhagic lesions. These conditions are usually secondary to artherosclerotic disease, hypertension, or a combination of both.

Myoelectric Prosthesis - An advanced prosthetic device operated by battery-powered electric motors that are activated through electrodes by the myoelectric potentials provided by muscles. (Source: Taber's)

National board examination - An examination consisting of a multiple choice test, a three hour written exam and a four day practical exam on clinic patient care to be administered by the American Board for Certification and to be taken after the completion of a one year clinical residency.

NCOPE - National Commission of Orthotic and Prosthetic Education

Orthosis - Device used to correct malalignment of joints, especially those involved in locomotion. The device is typically either added to the outside of the shoe or placed inside it. (Source: Taber's)

Orthotics - The use of custom fitted or custom made braces (i.e. orthoses) to correct or stabilize malformed or weakened body parts and assist in increasing the functional level of the patient.

Prosthesis - An artificial limb.

Prosthetics - The replacement of musculoskeletal extremities (arms, legs etc.) with artificial limbs.

Residual limb - The portion of the limb remaining after an amputation.

Tracer™ - A computer aided design system for digitizing body segments, thus providing measurements which will be used in the design and fabrication of orthotics and prosthetics.