Glossary

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

Explore our glossary of terms to better understand the meaning of words and phrases that are typically used in the orthotic and prosthetic setting.

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