orthosis

Limb support appliance

An orthosis is a medical device worn externally to support, align, or correct the function of a body part—typically a limb or the spine.

Braces, splints, and shoe inserts are common orthoses.

The term is clinical, used by healthcare providers rather than patients: The doctor prescribed an orthosis for her weak ankle.

Plural: orthoses.

device

brace

Device providing structural stability

splintDevice immobilizing injured limbs
supportTo uphold or sustain
stabilizerThing ensuring steadiness

immobilizer · exoskeleton · cast · corset · insert · sleeve · shell · frame · WHO · cervical collar

function

support

To uphold or sustain

stabilizationProcess of becoming steady
alignmentCorrect relative positioning
correctionFixing of mistakes

immobilization · protection · offloading · positioning · weight-bearing

materials

plastic

Capable of being molded

thermoplasticHeat-softenable, repeatedly reshapable polymer
metalHard conductive solid
foamBubble-filled substance

leather · velcro · strapping · padding · silicone · polypropylene · laminated · rigid · semi-rigid · flexible

rehabilitation

physiotherapy

Treatment restoring bodily function

strengtheningIncreasing power or solidity
recoveryRegaining what was lost
adaptationFitting to new conditions

mobility · ambulation · compliance · adjustment · follow-up · weaning · progression · retraining · independence

anatomy

knee

Leg's middle hinge

wristHand-forearm connection
handGrasping body part
spinalOf the backbone

cervical · thoracic · lumbar · elbow · shoulder · hip · leg · arm · trunk · neck

conditions

scoliosis

Lateral vertebral deviation

clubfootInborn foot deformity
strokeSudden brain blood blockage
fractureSplit in hard material

arthritis · polio · neuropathy · post-surgical

Categories

orthopedicsbone fracture, joint replacement, hip replacement, fracture, knee replacement
ortho- wordsorthopedics, orthodontist, orthodox, orthogonal, orthography
occupational therapyhand therapy, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, adaptive equipment, assistive devices
orthoticsbrace, splint, insole, insoles, ankle brace
restraintshandcuffs, shackles, chains, ropes, cuffs

Opposites

medical device function

orthosisprosthesis

Manufactured replacement body part

prosthetic · artificial limb · implant · artificial organ

intervention approach

orthosissurgical correction

Procedure to fix anatomy

spinal fusion · reconstructive surgery · natural healing · no support

Family

orthodontics, orthopedic, orthopedist, orthotics, ortho, orthotic, orthopaedic, orthopaedist, orthopedically

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