The field of medicine that deals with the design, production, and application of orthoses is referred to as orthotics. Orthosis is any device that is installed externally on the body to modify the structural and functional characteristics of the skeletal system. The practitioners in this field are called orthotists. Over the counter orthotics is one among the branches in this field of medicine.
Orthoses help in achieving different functions in organs or body parts they are attached. In general, they are used for controlling, limiting, immobilizing, and/or guiding joints, segments of the body, or extremities. They may be used in assisting or restricting motion in a certain direction. In some cases they are applied to reduce the amount of weight the body exerts on a given organ. Reduction of weight exerted is often important during rehabilitation from injuries such as fractures.
Orthotists also fit patients with orthoses in order to reduce pain felt. There are circumstances in which body organs lose shape because of natural causes, disease processes, or accidents. In such cases, orthoses can be used to try and regain the lost shape. The use of orthoses makes life easier for the wearer, especially those with extreme conditions. The devices promote mobility and independence in patients.
The manufacture and design of orthoses relies on knowledge from different disciplines. Some of the disciplines from which most knowledge is drawn are Biomechanics, Engineering, Anatomy and Physiology, and Pathophysiology. The manufacturing process involves the use of various technologies such as Plaster of Paris, 3D printing, and CNC and CAD machines. The use of such sophisticated technology and processes is for ensuring that the devices precisely fit the body part they are meant for.
Various materials are used in the productions of these devices. Among the materials used often are carbon fiber, EVA, metals, and elastic. An orthosis may comprise of various components manufactured from different materials. Since the adoption of plastic as a better material, it has become the most commonly used material today. The invention of Plaster of Paris technique has made plastics even more widely adopted.
There are some designs of orthoses that can be acquired from local retailers, especially general-purpose ones. However, more specialized orthoses are custom-made according to the needs of the patient. They are designed and fitted by orthotists. Over the counter orthoses vary in method of installation, quality, material and size among other properties. They are worn by sliding into or attaching onto the organ. Most over the counter devices are for providing protection from injury.
Classification of orthoses is done according to the anatomical joints they contain. Some major examples are ankle and foot, thoracolumbosacral, arm, knee-ankle-foot, ankle-foot, clavicular and shoulder, arm, forearm-wrist, hand, forearm-wrist-thumb, elbow, and upper extremity orthoses. The use of International Standard terminology is encouraged in describing orthoses in order to remove barriers to interpretation of research findings.
Users of orthoses usually have various medical conditions. Examples of medical condition users may have include strokes, head injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, fractures, and sports injury among several others. Often, athletes use orthoses to optimize performance in sports.
Orthoses help in achieving different functions in organs or body parts they are attached. In general, they are used for controlling, limiting, immobilizing, and/or guiding joints, segments of the body, or extremities. They may be used in assisting or restricting motion in a certain direction. In some cases they are applied to reduce the amount of weight the body exerts on a given organ. Reduction of weight exerted is often important during rehabilitation from injuries such as fractures.
Orthotists also fit patients with orthoses in order to reduce pain felt. There are circumstances in which body organs lose shape because of natural causes, disease processes, or accidents. In such cases, orthoses can be used to try and regain the lost shape. The use of orthoses makes life easier for the wearer, especially those with extreme conditions. The devices promote mobility and independence in patients.
The manufacture and design of orthoses relies on knowledge from different disciplines. Some of the disciplines from which most knowledge is drawn are Biomechanics, Engineering, Anatomy and Physiology, and Pathophysiology. The manufacturing process involves the use of various technologies such as Plaster of Paris, 3D printing, and CNC and CAD machines. The use of such sophisticated technology and processes is for ensuring that the devices precisely fit the body part they are meant for.
Various materials are used in the productions of these devices. Among the materials used often are carbon fiber, EVA, metals, and elastic. An orthosis may comprise of various components manufactured from different materials. Since the adoption of plastic as a better material, it has become the most commonly used material today. The invention of Plaster of Paris technique has made plastics even more widely adopted.
There are some designs of orthoses that can be acquired from local retailers, especially general-purpose ones. However, more specialized orthoses are custom-made according to the needs of the patient. They are designed and fitted by orthotists. Over the counter orthoses vary in method of installation, quality, material and size among other properties. They are worn by sliding into or attaching onto the organ. Most over the counter devices are for providing protection from injury.
Classification of orthoses is done according to the anatomical joints they contain. Some major examples are ankle and foot, thoracolumbosacral, arm, knee-ankle-foot, ankle-foot, clavicular and shoulder, arm, forearm-wrist, hand, forearm-wrist-thumb, elbow, and upper extremity orthoses. The use of International Standard terminology is encouraged in describing orthoses in order to remove barriers to interpretation of research findings.
Users of orthoses usually have various medical conditions. Examples of medical condition users may have include strokes, head injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, fractures, and sports injury among several others. Often, athletes use orthoses to optimize performance in sports.
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