Understanding Commonly Used Terms / Glossary of terms

The following list of definitions is offered to help you understand some of the more commonly used medical terms you are likely to come across. (Remember to ask for clarification from your clinic or prosthetist if there are things you do not understand.)

Abduction: close to the body

Adduction: away from the body

Alignment: position of prosthetic socket in relation to foot and knee.

Amputation: the loss or absence of all or part of a limb.

Atrophy: a wasting of tissues; the decrease in the size of a normally developed extremity or organ

Congenital Deficency: condition present at birth, when all or part of a limb fails to develop normally.

Contra-lateral: relating to the opposite side

Contracture: a shortening of muscle and tendons, which causes a deformity or subnormal range of movement of a joint

Check Socket / Test Socket: a trial socket, often transparent, made to evaluate comfort and fit prior to final (definitive) prosthesis design.

Cosmetic Cover: a plastic foam or rubber material, laminate or stocking that gives a prosthetic device a more natural appearance.

Definitive: the finished prosthesis that meets accepted clinical standards for comfort, fit, function, appearance and durability.

Oedema: swelling of the stump or extremity

Energy-Storing Feet: prosthetic feet with plastic springs or carbon fibres designed to help move the prosthesis forward.

Extension: the straightening of a joint

Extremity: a part of or the entire arm or leg

Flexion: the bending of a joint

Gait: style or manner in which a person walks

Hydraulic knee unit: a knee unit, which offers hydraulic control of knee action.

Modular (endoskeletal) prosthesis: prosthesis with an internal rigid structure and an external foam cover

Manual Locking: device that locks the knee in complete extension to prevent buckling and falls.

Medial: the inside of the leg

Lateral: the outside of the leg

Planta-flex: to bend the sole of the foot or to depress the foot

Polycentric: multiple-axis joint, particularly useful with a very long residual limb.

Pressure area: an area of tender or broken skin caused by pressure

Prosthesis: an artificial replacement for a body part.

PTB: patella tendon bearing prosthesis

PTS: supracondylar patella tendon bearing prosthesis

Endoskeletal / Pylon: prosthesis that consists of a lightweight plastic or metal tube encased in a foam cover.

Exoskeletal: prosthesis made of plastic over wood or rigid foam.

Temporary / preparatory prosthesis: a short-term prosthesis, generally without cosmetic finishing.

Trans-femoral: above the knee (A/K)

Trans-tibial: below the knee (B/K)

Prosthetist: a patient-care practitioner, who evaluates, designs, fabricates and fits artificial limbs.

Residual Limb: portion of limb remaining after amputation, sometimes referred to as a stump.

Rigid Dressing: a cast applied soon after amputation to control swelling and pain; used to promote shrinkage and shaping of the residual limb in preparation for a prosthetic fitting.

S.A.C.H. Foot: Solid Ankle Cushion Heel

Socket: portion of prosthesis that fits around residual limb/stump and to which prosthetic components are attached.

Hard Socket: a prosthetic socket made of rigid materials.

Socket Liner: inner socket liner of soft foam, rubber, leather, or silicone material, which cushions the residual limb.

Single Axis: free swinging knee unit with a friction adjustment option.

Stance Control: friction device with an adjustable brake mechanism to add stability.

Stump / Residual Limb: portion of limb remaining after amputation.

Stump Sock: wool or cotton sock worn over residual limb to provide a cushion between the skin and socket interface.

Stump Shrinker: an elastic wrap or compression sock worn on a residual limb to reduce swelling and shape the limb.

Suction: provides suspension by means of negative pressure vacuum in a socket; achieved by forcing air out of the socket through a one-way valve when donning and using the prosthesis.

Suspension: refers to how the orthosis / prosthesis is held on; may include suction, a strap or belt, a wedge, a neoprene sleeve or other method.

T.E.S.: total elastic suspension

Weight transference: the transfer of weight from one foot or side to the other.