mardi 5 avril 2016

Basics Of Over The Counter Orthotics

By Maria Stevens


Orthotics is the branch of medical profession that deals with the designing, manufacturing, and application of orthoses. The term has its origin in the Greek language which translates to align or straighten in the English language. Orthosis is a device that is applied externally to correct functional and structural characteristics of various parts of the body. Over the counter orthotics is a subspecialty within the field of orthotics.

Orthotist is the primary medical clinician who specializes in prescribing, manufacturing, and managing orthoses. Orthoses do several different functions on the body. For instance, they help in controlling, guiding, limiting, and/or immobilizing a joint, body segment, or extremity for a specific reason. They restrict motion in a certain direction, assist with general movement, reduce weight bearing forces, aid in rehabilitation, and correct shape or function of body parts.

This medicine field combines and borrows knowledge from many fields. Pathophysiology, anatomy, engineering, physiology, and biomechanics are some among the fields that are combined. A wide variety of conditions may be rectified using orthoses. Some among the conditions are strokes, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and injury in the spinal cord. Optimization of performance in sports is also done using these devices.

Initially, orthoses were made by tracing the body part for which they were meant. However, this changed when plaster of Paris was invented. Plaster of Paris remains widely used within the industry because it promotes precision and accuracy needed to produce well-fitted orthoses. Introduction of computer systems have allowed for use of computer aided design, 3D printing, CNC machines and other technologies that make production easier, faster, and more accurate.

There is an internationally agreed-upon way of naming terminology that is used to describe orthoses. Examples of orthoses present under this scheme of classification include ankle foot, thoracolumbosacral, foot, forearm-wrist, upper limb, forearm-wrist-thumb, elbow, upper-extremity, clavicular and shoulder, hand, knee, and knee-ankle-foot orthoses. The aim of International Standard terminology is to reduce variation in naming of orthoses in the world.

Practitioners in the US need to have basic qualifications to become licensed orthotists. The main body concerned with certification is the American Board of Certification. To receive a license, one must have a degree in orthotics. Completion of a residency program is also mandatory. Residency programs last one year and must be done in a certified clinical facility.

Passing a three-part test is also a mandatory requirement before certification. Certification makes the individual to gain the title certified orthotist, usually abbreviated as CO. The CO title is only given to professional who are qualified in Orthotics as well as prosthetics and Pedorthics too.

The American Board of Certification is not the only body concerned with certification. Other similar bodies that provide credentialing services are the Professional Footwear Association, the pharmaceutical industry, and the Board for Orthotic Certification. Various professional associations that work with orthopedic technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and athletic trainers may also provide certification.




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