Prostheses are complex devices. Prosthetic treatments merge science, art, engineering and health care knowledge. There are many considerations involved in a patient assessment as well as many different types of components available to fabricate the most appropriate prosthesis for each individual patient.
Common Prosthetic Terminology (Source: Award Prosthetics – Burnaby, BC)
Below are some terms commonly used in prosthetics. For a more comprehensive glossary click here.
AK | Above the knee – (Trans Femoral) |
Alignment | Position of a prosthetic socket |
Amputation | Removal of all or part of a limb due to infection, injury, tumor, disease or trauma |
Amputee | A person who has had all or part of a limb removed/amputated or is born without a limb |
Amputation (Traumatic) | A spontaneous removal of a limb for example as a result of an accident |
Bilateral | Bi means both, meaning both sides |
BE | Below elbow (Trans Radial) |
BK | Below the knee (Trans Tibial) |
Carbon Fiber | Non-stretch carbon fabric used to reinforce lightweight composite resin structures, such as prosthetic components and socket |
Certified Prosthetist CP(c) | Someone who designs, fits and makes artificial limbs and who’s education and training and expertise is recognized and CBCPO credentialed by Orthotics Prosthetics Canada. |
Claudication | Pain in the limb upon exertion – due to circulatory insufficiency |
Congenital limb deficiency | When all or parts of limb/s do not develop normally in the womb or are missing |
CPO(c) | Canadian Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist |
Disarticulation | Limb is amputated through the joint |
Doffing | Taking the prosthesis off |
Donning | Putting the prosthesis on |
ECG | Electro-Cardiograph, recording of the electrical activity of the heart |
Edema | Swelling of the tissues (also spelled oedema) |
Endo | Inside (as in: Endoskeletal Prosthesis – one with internal supporting structures) |
Exo | Outside (as in: Exoskeletal Prosthesis – one with external rigid fiberglass structure) |
Gait training | Learning to walk with a prosthesis |
Interface | Inner surface of socket, or portion of prosthesis closest to the skin |
Liner | Soft socket rolled or pulled over the residual limb and used for protection, comfort and in some cases as a suspension device |
Lower extremity | Lower limb |
Occupational therapy | Training to maximize independence in daily life |
PPAM | Pneumatic Post Amputation Mobility Aid is an inflatable device (not a prosthesis) that is used by some physiotherapists as part of the rehabilitation programme prior to prosthetic rehabilitation |
Patella | Kneecap |
Peripheral vascular disease | Disease of the blood vessels from a variety of causes |
Phantom pain | Painful feeling in the part of the extremity that has been amputated |
Phantom sensation | Awareness of the amputated limb although not described as pain |
Phantom limb | Sensation of the presence of the limb that has been amputated |
Physical therapy | Therapeutic exercises in order to treat a disease or a disability |
Pistoning | When a liner stretches so that the stump elongates – or the vertical motion of a residual limb inside a prosthetic socket |
Prosthesis | A fabricated/artificial substitute for a body part that is missing |
Prostheses | More than one prosthesis (plural form) |
Residual limb | The remaining part of the limb after amputation (the stump) |
Socket | The part of the prosthesis (artificial limb) that fits around the residual limb – and fits around the Liner or socket insert if one is used |
Socket insert | A soft form that is contoured to fit around the residual limb and fits inside the Socket to provide for some increased padding and comfort for the residual limb |
Suction socket | A socket on an artificial leg that excludes the entry of air and is held to the residual limb by the suction of negative pressure maintained within the socket |
Total contact | Total contact between the residual limb and socket at all points |
Transradial | Amputation below the elbow (Through the radius and ulna bones) |
Transfemoral (TF) | Amputation above the knee (Through the femur bone) |
Transmetasatal (TM) | Amputation through the metatarsal foot bones (Partial foot amputation) |
Transtibial (TT) | Amputation below the knee (Through the tibia and fibula bones) |
Transhumeral | Amputation above the elbow (Through the humerus bone) |
Upper extremity | Upper limb |
Vascular amputation | Amputation surgery performed as a result of impaired circulation of blood through the blood vessels of the limb. |