Glossary

Common Terminology in Orthotics & Prosthetics

• Amputation: The surgical removal of all or part of a limb due to disease or injury
• AE Amputee: Above-elbow or transhumeral amputee
• AK Amputee: Above-knee or transfemoral amputee
• BE Amputee: Below-elbow or transradial amputee
• BK Amputee: Below-knee or transtibial amputee
• BAKA: Bilateral Above-Knee Amputee
• Bilateral: Loss of both arms or both legs
• Chopart: Partial foot amputation
• Congenital Limb Deficiency: An absent, shortened or abnormal limb present at birth
• Disarticulation: Amputation through the joint (i.e., hip, wrist, shoulder, knee, etc.)
• Extremity: A limb of the body
• Gait: Referring to the manner or style of walking
• Hip Disarticulation: Amputation of entire lower limb at hip level
• Lower Extremity (LE): Relating to the leg
• Orthotist: One who fits and makes orthoses
• Partial Foot: Amputation through any part of the foot leaving the ankle intact
• Proprioception: A sense of the location/orientation of one’s limb in space
• Prosthesis/ Prosthetic: An artificial replacement for a body part (plural: prostheses)
• Prosthetist: One who fits and makes prostheses
• Quadrilateral: Limb loss involving four limbs
• Residual Limb: Description of remaining limb from joint to amputation site
• Stump: A less commonly used word that describes the remaining limb
• Socket: Part of the prosthesis that encapsulates the residual limb
• Symes: Amputation through the ankle
• Transpelvic: Amputation of entire lower limb, plus a portion of the pelvic bone; may also be referred to as a hemipelvectomy
• Trilateral: Loss of three limbs
• Upper Extremity (UE): Relating to the arm

Certifications for Orthotic & Prosthetic Providers

Credentials representing certification by the American Board for Certification (ABC):

• CPO: Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist
• CP: Certified Prosthetist
• CO: Certified Orthotist
• CPed: Certified Pedorthist
• CPOA: Certified Prosthetic/Orthotic Assistant
• COA: Certified Orthotic Assistant
• CPA: Certified Prosthetic Assistant
• CFm: Certified Mastectomy Fitter
• CFo: Certified Orthotic Fitter
• CFts: Certified Therapeutic Shoe Fitter
• CTO: Certified Orthotic Technician
• CTP: Certified Prosthetic Technician
• CTPO: Certified Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician

Credentials representing certification by the Board for Certification/Accreditation (BOC):

• BOCO, BOCP: Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist
• BOCP: Certified Prosthetist
• BOCO: Certified Orthotist
• BOCPD: Certified Pedorthist
• COF: Certified Orthotic Fitter
• CMF: Certified Mastectomy Fitter