Orthotics Flashcards
What is an orthosis
A device that is externally applied or attached to a body segment and that facilitates or improves function by supporting, correcting or compensating for skeletal deformity or weakness
How do orthoses work
Provision of support eg: TLO to support collapsing osteoporotic spine
Limitation of motion: Knee orthosis to prevent hyperextension
Correction of deformity: To force affected joints into near- alignment eg: TLSO to correct idiopathic scoliosis
Assistance of motion: HKAFO to aid walking in myelomeningocele
What materials are orthoses manufactured
Thermosetting plastic or thermoplastic material
Explain how a GRAFO works
The purpose of a GRAFO is to provide mechanically-induced stability to the lower limb. It is characterised by its design, where it aims to maintain the ground reaction force anterior to the knee joint centre, which prevents knee instability and collapse for a patient with quads and/or plantar flexor weakness
