Prosthetics and orthotics is actually one of the fields in the healthcare profession that is rapidly growing as a matter of fact. Geerally, prosthetics and orthotics are two different fields but they happen to be coming together looking at the fact that they both serve the common purpose of rehabilitation. Check the following out for some of the basics that you may want to know of when it comes to prosthetics and orthotics.
Prosthetics actually is the practice where we see the use of artificial limbs, otherwise known as prostheses, which serve to help improve and enhance the function and lifestyle of those who may have suffered loss of limb. The particular prosthesis must actually be a proper combination of the right materials, of the right alignment, design and construction so as to get matching the very functional needs of the person who will be using them.
One other element to know about the prostheses and the need for them may be so complex and will vary as well from the lower and upper limbs. The lower limb prostheses will in most cases come designed to help with some of the needs such as to help with stability and motion, cosmetic appearance, shock absorption, energy storage and return, athletic activities such as running and jumping and the like. With the upper limb prostheses, these are the kinds that will be designed to help with the needs served by the upper limbs some of these being reaching and grasping, occupational challenges and needs such as hammering and painting, and much of the daily life activities like eating, dressing and writing.
Looking at the orthotics, these involve a lot of precision and creativity when it comes to the design and the making of the external braces that would be a key component of a patient’s treatment process. Talking of orthoses, ie the external braces, these are designed to help with the control of those parts of the body and regions of the body of a person who may be physically challenged. The orthoses, the external braces will be used on a number of the parts of the body and some of these are such as on the upper and lower limbs as well, cranium and as well on the spine. Some of the most common orthotic supplies are such as the cranial helmets, orthoses for those who happen to be suffering from scoliosis, the ones that are used of serious neck injuries and the like. There are even the foot orthoses that are used for the rehab needs for the kids who may be suffering from cerebral palsy. There have been seen a good number of orthoses coming up today for the needs of kids and you can learn more on these here.