My Orthotics and Prosthetics Glossary

My name is Sofyane Bedard, and I study Orthotics and Prosthetics at Montmorency College for one and a half years. I have created this glossary to help Orthotics and Prosthetics students to understand more the vocabulary used by their teachers and their experienced colleagues. In the same way, it could be useful for my surroundings when I talk about my program. Then, this glossary will help to understand the meaning of twenty words commonly used in the profession. For each of them, you will find a definition, an English pronunciation, a French translation, and an example. Sources: - Glossary of Terms, Premier Prosthetics & Orthotics, https://www.premierpando.com/glossary-of-terms/ - Durretts Orthotic and Prosthetic Resource Center (2021), Glossary of Orthotic & Prosthetic Terms, Synergy Prosthtics, https://synergypo.com/orthotic-prosthetic-terms/ - Glossary of Terms, Hitterberger orthotics and prosthetics LLC (2022), http://hittenberger.com/for- patients/glossary-of-terms - Le Robert, Le Robert dico en ligne, https://dictionnaire.lerobert.com/

abduction

noun

Movement of a limb away from the median, or midline of the body.

Example: His right shoulder has reduced abduction because of his injury.

en: abduction

amputation

noun

Cut off a limb by surgical operation.

Example: People with diabetes are 15 times more likely to need amputation as a result of ulcers becoming infected.

en: amputation

ankle orthosis

noun

An orthosis uses for the treatment of disorders only involving the ankle.

Example: After spraining my ankle I wore an ankle orthosis.

en: orthèse de cheville

atrophy

noun

Wasting or decrease in the size of muscle tissue.

Example: Being in a wheelchair can cause muscular atrophy to their legs.

en: atrophie

casting

noun

A plaster or fiberglass mold is created from the residual limb and used to create a replica of the limb.

Example: The casting of your leg will be useful to make fit your prosthesis perfectly.

en: moulage

check socket

noun

A socket made of clear plastic used to evaluate the fit of the socket design to the residual limb.

Example: The next appointment will be to try the check socket.

en: emboiture d'essai

diabete

noun

Chronic disease does not allow the body to use sugar as a source of energy. It can cause loss of touch feeling at toes and fingers. In this way, if a diabetic hurts himself under a toe, he will never know. It can cause severe infection that can lead to an amputation.

Example: Diabetes is the leading cause of lower limb amputation.

en: diabète

endoskeletal prosthesis

noun

The endoskeletal prosthesis has a tubular structure connecting the socket. Most of the time is covered by cosmetic foam.

Example: An endoskeletal prosthesis would be a good option to allow you to practice professional running.

en: prothèse endosquelettique

exoskeletal prosthesis

noun

The exoskeletal prosthesis has a rigid outer shell that provides structural strength and cosmetic shape.

Example: Your kid will enjoy having an exoskeletal prosthesis leg because of the appearance of a real one.

en: prothèse exosquelettique

gangrene

noun

Gangrene is a dangerous and potentially fatal condition that happens when the blood flow to a large area of tissue is cut off. This causes the tissue to break down and die. Amputation is needed to stop the infection from spreading to another body part.

Example: A long time ago infected injury automatically lead to gangrene and then to an amputation.

en: gangrène

genu recurvatum

noun

Over extension of the knee in the backward position.

Example: Your knee problem is probably because of your genu recurvatum.

en: genou recurvatum

goniometer

noun

An instrument for the precise measurement of angles, especially one used to measure the angles between the faces of crystals.

Example: I will measure the angle of your knee with a goniometer.

en: goniomètre

necrosis

noun

Cellular or tissue death within the living body, such as with gangrene.

Example: There is a high rate of non-union and avascular necrosis in displaced fractures.

en: nécrose

orthosis

noun

An apparatus used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities or to improve the function of movable parts of the body.

Example: The doctor prescribed him plantar orthosis to support his foot arch.

en: orthèse

osteoarthritis

noun

Degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone, most common from middle age onward. In more advanced cases, it can cause deformities.

Example: The most likely cause of 's right knee pain is osteoarthritis.

en: arthrose

paraplegia

noun

Paralysis of the legs and lower body, typically caused by spinal injury or disease.

Example: There is no cure for paraplegia but there are many treatments that can make it easier to manage.

en: paraplégie

phantom limb syndrome

noun

Phantom limb syndrome is a condition in which patients experience sensations, whether painful or otherwise, in a limb that does not exist. It has been reported to occur in 80-100% of amputees.

Example: The phantom limb syndrome can cause excruciating pain like a burning sensation.

en: syndrome du membre fantôme

prosthesis

noun

An artificial body part intended to replace it after an amputation.

Example: After his leg amputation, he will learn how to walk with a prosthesis.

en: prothèse

scoliosis

noun

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

Example: While scoliosis can occur in people with conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.

en: scoliose

transfemoral

noun

A type of amputation that occurs above the knee.

Example: The technique of transfemoral amputation has evolved during the last decade.

en: transfémoral

ulcer

noun

An open sore on an external or internal surface of the body, caused by a break in the skin or mucous membrane that fails to heal.

Example: A pressure ulcer is a localized injury to the skin or underlying tissue.

en: ulcère

This glossary was made with the Virtual Writing Tutor glossary maker and grammar checker.