Orthosis
Orthosis
An orthosis (plural: orthoses) is a medical device used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities or to improve the function of movable parts of the body. Orthoses are commonly used in the field of orthopedics and rehabilitation to assist individuals with various physical impairments.
Types of Orthoses[edit | edit source]
Orthoses can be classified based on the part of the body they support:
- Ankle-foot orthosis (AFO): Supports the ankle and foot.
- Knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO): Supports the knee, ankle, and foot.
- Hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis (HKAFO): Supports the hip, knee, ankle, and foot.
- Wrist-hand orthosis (WHO): Supports the wrist and hand.
- Cervical orthosis: Supports the neck.
- Spinal orthosis: Supports the spine.
Functions of Orthoses[edit | edit source]
Orthoses serve various functions, including:
- Support: Providing stability to weak or injured body parts.
- Alignment: Correcting or maintaining proper alignment of bones and joints.
- Prevention: Preventing the progression of deformities.
- Correction: Correcting existing deformities.
- Improvement: Enhancing the function of movable parts of the body.
Materials Used[edit | edit source]
Orthoses can be made from a variety of materials, including:
- Plastics: Lightweight and moldable, commonly used for custom orthoses.
- Metals: Durable and strong, often used in combination with other materials.
- Fabrics: Flexible and comfortable, used for soft orthoses.
Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf Orthoses[edit | edit source]
Orthoses can be custom-made or off-the-shelf:
- Custom-made orthoses: Tailored to fit the specific needs and measurements of an individual. These are often created using molds or digital scans of the body part.
- Off-the-shelf orthoses: Pre-manufactured and available in standard sizes. These are typically less expensive and can be adjusted to fit the user.
Related Fields[edit | edit source]
Orthoses are closely related to several other fields, including:
- Prosthetics: The design and fitting of artificial limbs.
- Orthopedic surgery: Surgical procedures to correct musculoskeletal issues.
- Physical therapy: Rehabilitation to improve movement and function.
- Occupational therapy: Therapy to help individuals perform daily activities.
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This hospital-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
