Orthotics

Orthotics (Ορθός) is a medical specialty that focuses on the design and application of orthoses, or braces. An is "an externally applied device used to influence the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal systems." Orthotists are professionals who specialize in designing these braces. Orthotic devices are classified into four areas of the body according to the international classification system (ICS): orthotics of the lower extremities, orthotics of the upper extremities, orthotics for the trunk, and orthotics for the head. Orthoses are also classified by function: superdomis orthoses, common orthoses, and hard braces. Under the International Standard terminology, orthoses are classified by an acronym describing the anatomical joints they support. Some examples include: KAFO, or knee-ankle-foot orthoses, which span the knee, ankle, and foot; TLSO, or thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthoses, supporting the thoracic, lumbar and sacral regions of the spine. Use of the International Standard is promoted as to reduce the widespread variation in the description of orthoses, which is often a barrier to the interpretation of research studies. The transition from an orthosis to a prosthesis can be fluid. An example of this is compensating for a leg length discrepancy, which is equivalent to replacing a missing part of a limb. Another example is the replacement of the forefoot after a forefoot amputation. This treatment is often made from a combination of a prosthesis to replace the forefoot and an orthosis to replace the lost muscular function (orthoprosthesis). Orthotist An orthotist is a specialist responsible for the customising, manufacture, and repair of orthoses. The manufacture of modern orthoses requires both artistic skills in modeling body shapes and manual skills in processing traditional and innovative materials— CAD/CAM, CNC machines and 3D printing are involved in orthotic manufacture. Orthotics also combines knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, biomechanics and engineering.