Amputation – a glossary of terms
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A
Abduction – Angling part of the body / prosthesis away from the body’s midline
Adduction – Angling part of the body / prosthesis towards the body’s midline
AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis) – a brace that supports or controls the ankle
Alignment – The way the prosthesis is set up. This is concerned mainly with the angle of the socket and foot
Amputation – the loss or absence of all or part of a limb
Ankle disarticulation – Usually called a Symes amputation involving amputation through the ankle joint
Assistive equipment – Devices that assist in performance or mobility; for example ramps or bars, changes in furniture or other objects heights, environmental control units and specifically designed devices
Atrophy – When a muscle reduces in size through reduced use
B
Bilateral – Double amputation of both upper or lower limbs
Bionics – The application of engineering or mechanical principles to biological systems such as the human body
Bumper – A part installed into a prosthetic component to aid extension or resistance or to soften impact at the end of a range of motion.
C
Check socket – A temporary socket intended to test the fit and alignment of a prosthesis prior to a permanent prosthesis being made
Cosmesis – A cosmetic cover for the mechanical elements of prosthesis
Congenital limb deficiency – Absence of part or all of a limb at birth
Cover – Also referred to as the anatomical form, cosmesis or finish – this is the external shape and surface detail of prosthesis. The cover may be incredibly high definition and life-like, or it can be a basic anatomical shape
D
Digital amputation – Toe or finger amputation
Dorsiflexion – resultant posture of the foot when the toes are pulling up
Donning – Putting on a prosthesis or orthosis
Durometer – Evaluation of the hardness a material used as part of the Cover. Normally referring to polymers, elastomers or rubbers
Dynamic foot – A type of prosthetic foot that stores and releases walking energy to more realistically replicate the action of a natural foot to promote walking action – also referred to as an Energy Storing Foot
E
Endoskeletal prosthesis – Prosthetic device whereby the support offered to the body is internal, much like the human skeleton
Exoskeletal prosthesis – Prosthetic device whereby the support offered to the body is external
F
Femur – Thigh bone
Fibula – The thinner of the two bones in the shin.
Forequarter amputation – Amputation removing part of shoulder and the arm
G
Gait analysis – A review of a person’s walking pattern, especially when wearing a prosthesis
H
Hemipelvectomy – Amputation of the leg involving removal of part of the pelvis with the limb. This is also called a hindquarter amputation
Hip disarticulation – Amputation of the leg through the hip joint
I
Ischial tuberosity – A thick part of the pelvis in the buttocks, used to take weight in above knee prosthesis. The ischium (commonly called the sitting bone)
K
Knee disarticulation – Amputation through the knee joint
L
Liner – A removable sleeve that fits over the stump/residual limb. The Liner acts as a cushion and interface with the socket of the prosthesis.
M
Multiaxial foot – Prosthetic foot imitating ankle movement, and allowing better control and balance on uneven ground
N
Neuroma – Fibrous tissue around the end of a severed nerve
O
Oedema – When a body part suffers welling or produces excess fluid
Osseointegration – a direct connection between living bone and a load-bearing artificial implant, which has structural and functional benefits
P
Partial Foot – amputation where only part of the foot is removed
Patella – Kneecap
Patella tendon – A thick tendon between the kneecap and the top of the shin which takes weight well so is often used for support in below knee prostheses
Pylon – The pole in the prosthesis that gives it height
Plantarflexion – resultant posture of the foot where the toes point down
Phantom pain – Pain or discomfort in the absent limb after undergoing an amputation
Phantom sensation – Sensory awareness of the part of an amputated limb that is no longer present
Pistoning – The movement of the socket relative to the residual limb as a result of poor fit
Prosthesis – An artificial limb worn following amputation of a body part, either for cosmetic or functional
Prosthetist – A professional specialising in the design and fitting of artificial limbs
Patella tendon bearing (PTB) – a type of below knee prosthesis in which much of the weight is taken on the patella-tendon
R
Residual limb – an alternative way of describing the stump formed following part amputation of a limb
Rigid dressing – A hard fibreglass cover used to protect the stump and normally fitted shortly after the amputation
S
Sach Foot – A lightweight prosthetic foot that has a fixed ankle
Shoulder disarticulation – Amputation at the shoulder joint
Shrinker – A compression sock specifically for stumps that controls swelling after amputation surgery
Silicon/gel liner – A rubbery synthetic liner material that rolls onto the stump
Silicon suspension (SSS) – A gel liner that engages in a lock inside the prosthesis in order to aid suspension
Sleeve suspension – A sleeve that is rolled over a below the knee prosthesis and onto the thigh for suspension
Stump volume – the phrase referring to the size of the stump in relation to the socket of the prosthesis
Socket – The portion of the prosthesis that is custom made to accommodate the amputee’s residual limb
Socket relief – The space/void created in a prosthetic socket in order to reduce pressure over sensitive areas of the stump
Stump sock – A liner made specifically for stumps
Suspension – How the prosthesis is held on
Supracondylar prosthesis (PTS) – Similar to PTB but comes in and over the knee to hold it on
Symes amputation – Amputation of the foot through the ankle joint
T
Transmetatarsal-phalangeal amputation (TMP) – Amputation of the toes through the ball of the foot
Transmetatarsal amputation (TMT) – Amputation of the toes to just behind the ball of the foot
Transfemoral – An above knee amputation. Also referred to as an AK (above the knee) amputation
Transhumeral – An above elbow amputation
Transtibial – A below the knee amputation, also referred to as a ‘BK’ amputation
Transradial – A below the elbow amputation
Tibia – The larger of the two bones in the shin.
U
Ulcer – A lesion or opening of the skin
Unilateral – Affecting only one side
V
Volume loss – A description of the change in stump shape/size that can potentially lead to in an ill fitting prosthesis
Volume changes – Fluctuation in the size and shape of the stump, related to body fluid levels and caused by changes in the weather, health etc
W
Wrist disarticulation – Amputation through the wrist joint
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