Explore our glossary of terms to better understand the meaning of words and phrases that are typically used in the prosthetic setting.
Common Terminology in Prosthetics
- Amputation:Â The surgical removal of all or part of a limb due to disease or injury
- AE Amputee:Â Above-elbow or transhumeral amputee
- AK Amputee:Â Above-knee or transfemoral amputee
- BE Amputee:Â Below-elbow or transradial amputee
- BK Amputee:Â Below-knee or transtibial amputee
- BAKA:Â Bilateral Above-Knee Amputee
- Bilateral:Â Loss of both arms or both legs
- Chopart:Â Partial foot amputation
- Congenital Limb Deficiency:Â An absent, shortened or abnormal limb present at birth
- Disarticulation:Â Amputation through the joint (i.e., hip, wrist, shoulder, knee, etc.)
- Extremity:Â A limb of the body
- Gait:Â Referring to the manner or style of walking
- Hip Disarticulation:Â Amputation of the entire lower limb at hip level
- Lower Extremity (LE):Â Relating to the leg
- Orthotist:Â One who fits and makes orthoses
- Partial Foot:Â Amputation through any part of the foot leaving the ankle intact
- Proprioception: A sense of the location/orientation of one’s limb in space
- Prosthesis/ Prosthetic:Â An artificial replacement for a body part (plural: prostheses)
- Prosthetist:Â One who fits and makes prostheses
- Quadrilateral:Â Limb loss involving four limbs
- Residual Limb:Â Description of remaining limb from joint to amputation site
- Stump:Â A less commonly used word that describes the remaining limb
- Socket:Â Part of the prosthesis that encapsulates the residual limb
- Symes:Â Amputation through the ankle
- Transpelvic:Â Amputation of the entire lower limb, plus a portion of the pelvic bone; may also be referred to as a hemipelvectomy
- Trilateral:Â Loss of three limbs
- Upper Extremity (UE):Â Relating to the arm
Certifications for Prosthetic Providers
- CPO:Â Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist
- CP: Certified Prosthetist
- CO: Certified Orthotist
- BOCPO: Board-Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist
- CPed: Certified Pedorthist
- CMF: Certified Mastectomy Fitter
- COF/CFO: Certified Orthotic Fitter
- CTO: Certified Technician, Orthotics
- CTP: Certified Technician, Prosthetics
- CTPO: Certified Technician, Prosthetics and Orthotics
- COA: Certified Orthotic Assistant
- CPOA: Certified Prosthetic/Orthotic Assistant
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