Prosthetics and Orthotics Treatment

Thousands of people around the world lose limbs or suffer from orthopedic impairment due to accidents, war injuries, birth defects and disease. Health care workers who specialize in orthotics and prosthetics (often referred to as O&P) help these patients regain their mobility through the use of artificial limbs or orthopedic braces. The O&P professional carries out an extensive assessment of the patient’s condition and then chooses the appropriate materials, components, design and fabrication techniques to best meet the patient’s goals and needs.

A prosthesis or brace is custom-made from a “negative” cast of the patient’s missing or impaired limb, or an actual model of the limb that has been removed. These are then used as the blueprint for a specific device that will be manufactured in an O&P laboratory. The process can take weeks or even months depending on the complexity of the device. The most technologically advanced devices can provide patients with a high level of limb functionality, which may include the ability to walk, run and even play sports.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the proper materials for a bionic leg device, including corrosion resistance and ease of fabrication. Some of the most common materials are polyethylene, polypropylene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Polyethylene is a rigid plastic that resists corrosion and can endure several million cycles of repetitive flexing. It is often used for knee or ankle joints in AFOs, while polypropylene is a lightweight material that can be thermoformed and has great strength. ABS has good elastic properties and is resistant to chemical degradation.

Other important considerations for choosing O&P materials are their biocompatibility, comfort and durability. Some of these materials can retain heat, which can be a problem for patients with sweating problems or a compromised immune system. In addition, some materials are porous and can easily absorb perspiration. Some are also prone to breaking down over time, requiring maintenance or replacement.

Prosthetics and orthotics research focuses on finding ways to improve the quality of life of patients with orthopedic impairments, such as people who are missing an arm or leg, children with cerebral palsy or individuals with traumatic brain injury. It also involves the study of skeletal anatomy, gait analysis and the impact of physical activity on rehabilitation and performance. Visit this site and get access to the best surgical prosthetic equipment.

O&P research is conducted by academics, clinicians and engineers who are passionate about the field. Their work has a direct impact on the lives of their patients and communities. The following article profiles a few examples of this important research.

Megan Glahn focuses her research on a holistic approach to addressing the physical and psychological needs of orthotic and prosthetic patients. She is especially interested in the role awareness and professional identity of orthotists and prosthetists as members of the healthcare team. Ashley Mullen specializes in clinical education and progression along the O&P educational continuum, evaluating admissions metrics and examining the relationship between admissions outcomes and student performance, as well as preceptor evaluation of clinical residents. She also investigates the effect of gender on entrustment trends in clinical residency and the effectiveness of a clinical decision-making tool. If you want to know more about this topic, then click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosthetist.