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. |