Abduction – Moving a limb away from the midline of the body
Adduction – Moving a limb toward the midline of the body
Alignment – The position of the prosthetic socket in relation to the knee and foot
Amputation – The surgical removal of all or part of a limb
Amputee – A person who has had all or part of a limb amputated or is born without a limb
AE Amputee – Above Elbow also known as a Transhumeral amputee
BE Amputee – Below Elbow also known as a Transradial amputee
AK Amputee – Above Knee also known as a Transfemoral amputee
BK Amputee – Below Knee also known as a Transtibial amputee
Ankle disarticulation – Amputation through the ankle joint
Anterior – Toward the front of the body
Atrophy – The reduction in size of an organ or tissue
Bilateral – Affecting both sides. For example bilateral amputations means both legs are amputated.
Biomechanics – Science combining biology and mechanics, study of body movement and forces
Bulbous Stump – Shape where the distal size of the stump is larger than the proximal size
Cadence – Walking speed
Callous – Thickening of the skin
Cast – A plaster impression of a residual limb from which a socket will be made
Check socket – A diagnostic socket used to test the fit and alignment of a prosthesis before a permanent socket is made
Chopart – A partial foot amputation leaving only the calcaneus and talus bones intact
Congenital limb deficiency – Absence or under development of a limb or part of a limb at the time of birth
Contracture – The loss of joint motion
Cosmesis – The appearance of a prosthesis
Cosmetic cover – The external cover that gives a prosthesis a normal anatomical appearance
Definitive prosthesis – A permanent prosthesis that will be worn on an ongoing basis
Disarticulation – The amputation of a limb through a joint
Distal – Located at a distance away from the center of the body
Doffing – Taking off the prosthesis
Donning – Putting on the prosthesis
Dorsiflexion – The action of the ankle to pull up the toes
Drop foot – An inability to raise the foot
Dynamic alignment – Adjusting the prosthesis to suit the movement patterns of the patient
Dynamic foot – A type of prosthetic foot which stores and releases energy when walking
Endo – Inside
Exo – Outside
Extension – To straighten a joint
Fixation – Refers to how the prosthesis is held on
Flaccid – Lacking firmness, resilience, or muscle tone.
Flexion – To bend a joint
Flexion contracture – The loss of joint motion, full extension is not possible
Fusion – the merging or coherence of adjacent parts of the bodies.
Gait analysis – Referring to the manner or style of walking and its assessment
Haematoma – A localized mass of extravasated blood.
Hemiplegic – Paralysis effecting one side of the body
Hemipelvectomy – Amputation that removes half of the pelvis with the limb
Hip disarticulation – Amputation of the entire lower limb at hip joint level
Hyperextension – Extension at an angle that is greater than normal
Idiopathic – A medical term used to describe the unknown cause of a medical condition
Inferior – Below
Interface – Typically between inner surface of the prosthetic socket and the residual limb
Inflammation – Redness, heat or swelling
KB – Knee bearing. A prosthesis where the patient bears weight through their knee
KD – (Knee disarticulation) An amputation through the knee joint
Lateral – Away from the midline of the body
Lesion – A break in the skin
Ligament – Connective tissue between bones
Liner – A removable protective cover which fits between the stump and the socket
Lower extremity – Referring to the leg
Manipulation – Actions performed by hands
Manual locking knee – A prosthetic knee component that can be locked in extension
Medial – Toward the midline of the body
Multiaxial foot – A type of prosthetic foot, which imitates ankle movement in more than one plane, to accommodate uneven surfaces
Myodesis procedure – A technique used when amputating in which the muscles are cut and secured to the bone.
Myoelectric – A method of controlling prosthetic limbs that uses electrical signals from the body
Myoplasty – A technique used when amputating to join opposite muscle groups to each other
Nerve – Structure of the body capable of transmitting impulses
Neuroma – An overgrowth of nerve tissue
Occupational therapy – Treatment to assist with the performance of work tasks and daily living
Oedema – Swelling of the tissues
Paralysis – The inability to use muscles due to nerve damage
Partial foot – Amputation through any part of the foot leaving the ankle intact
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) – Disease of the small blood vessels near the surface of the skin, typically affecting lower limbs
Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD) – A congenital defect in which the proximal part of the femur bone is shortened
Phantom pain – A sensation of pain in the part of the amputated limb that is no longer there
Phantom sensation – A sensation of the amputated limb
Physiotherapy – Physical exercise to restore function
Pistoning – When the residual limb moves slightly up and down in the socket
Plantarflexion – To position the foot with the toes pointing down
Posterior – Towards the back of the body
Proprioception – A sense or perception of the position or movement of the limb, independent of vision.
Prosthesis – A device which replaces a missing body part
Prosthetist – A professional specializing in the manufacture and fitting of prosthetic limbs
Quadrilateral – Limb loss involving four limbs
Quadriplegia – Partial or full paralysis of both arms and legs
Residual Limb – Description of the remaining limb from joint to amputation site
Rigid Dressing – A cast or devise applied after amputation, which controls swelling and pain
ROM – Range of mobility in a joint
Scoliosis – Lateral curvature of the spine
Socket – The part of the prosthesis that encapsulates the residual limb
Spasm – An involuntary muscular contraction
Static Alignment – Alignment of the prosthesis while the patient is standing still
Stump/residual limb – The portion of limb remaining after an amputation
Stump Shrinker – A compression sock worn on a stump to reduce the swelling and shape the limb. It is commonly worn during the first post-operative months.
Stump Sock – Wool, cotton or blended materials used as a sock worn over a residual limb to compensate stump shrinkage
Suction Socket – A prosthetic socket that is held on by means of negative pressure. This is achieved by forcing air out of the socket through a valve when donning and using the prosthesis
Suspension Sleeve – An elastic tubular sleeve that is pulled over the upper part of the prosthesis then rolled up the limb once the prosthesis has been donned
Switch Control – Typically manual use of electric switches to operate an electric elbow, wrist rotator or hand
Symes – Amputation at the level of the ankle. The bulbous end of the limb is often able to bear weight.
Temporary Prosthesis – (Interim prosthesis) A prosthesis fitted shortly after amputation so that gait training can begin
Tendon – Tissue that connects muscle to bone
Test Socket – A diagnostic socket, usually transparent, which is used to evaluate the socket fit prior to the fabrication of the final socket
TK – Through the knee
Torso – The chest and abdominal area
Traction – Using external force to pull a body part
Transfemoral (TF) – An amputation through the femur
Transhumeral (TH) – An amputation through the humerus
Transmetasatal (TM) – An amputation through the metatarsal bones
Transpelvic (TP) – An amputation of the entire lower limb plus a portion of the pelvic bone
Transradial (TR) – An amputation through the radius and ulna
Transtibial (TT) – An amputation through the tibia and fibula
Trilateral – Limb loss involving three limbs
Traumatic Amputation – The removal of a limb resulting from accident or injury
Tremor – An involuntary shaking
Ulcer – Lesion or opening of the skin
Unilateral – On one side of the body only
Valgus – Bent or angled inwards towards the midline of the body
Varus – Bent or angled outward away from the midline of the body
Vascular – Relating to the blood vessels
Vascular Amputation – An amputation due to impaired blood circulation
WD – Wrist disarticulation