| Term |
Definition |
| 3S |
Suction Silicone Suspension- Utilizes a silicone sleeve with a locking pin to suspend prosthesis. |
| ABC |
American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics |
| AE Trans-Humeral |
Above the elbow amputee |
| AK Trans-Femoral |
Above the knee amputee |
| Alignment |
Position of a prosthetic socket in relation to foot and knee |
| Amputation |
Removal of all or part of a limb due to infection, injury, tumor, disease, or trauma |
| Amputee |
A person who has had all or part of a limb removed/amputated or is born without a limb |
| BE Trans-Radial |
Below elbow amputee |
| Bilateral |
Bi means both, meaning both sides |
| BK Trans-Tibial |
Below the knee amputee |
| BOC |
Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification |
| BOCO |
BOC Certified orthotist |
| BOCOP |
BOC Certified orthotist and prosthetist |
| BOCP |
BOC Certified prosthetist |
| Chopart |
Amputation of approximately 2/3 of the foot |
| CO |
ABC Certified orthotist |
| Congenital limb deficiency |
When all or part of limb(s) do not develop normally in the womb or are missing |
| Contralateral |
The other side |
| CP |
ABC certified prosthetist |
| CPO |
ABC Certified prosthetist and orthotist (also known as CO - CP - CPO) |
| Disarticulation |
Limb is amputated through the joint |
| Distal |
Further away from the center of the body (your foot is distal to your knee) |
| Doffing |
Taking the prosthesis off |
| Donning |
Putting the prosthesis on |
| Edema |
Swelling of the tissues (also spelled oedema) |
| Endo |
Inside |
| Endoskeletal |
A prosthesis which typically uses a pylon (tube) to support the weight of the amputee. This prosthesis is typically covered with soft foam and nylon. |
| Proximal |
Close to the body (your knee is proximal to your foot) |
| PTB |
Patellar Tendon Bearing - A BK socket design which supports much of the weight through the patellar tendon under the kneecap |
| Residual limb |
The remaining part of the limb after amputation (the stump) |
| Socket |
The part of the prosthesis (artificial limb) that fits around the residual limb |
| Suction socket |
A socket on an artificial leg that is held to the residual limb by the suction of negative pressure maintained within the socket |
| Symes |
Amputation of all but one of the foot bones |
| Total contact |
Total contact between the limb and socket at all points |
| Transfemoral (TF)(AK) |
Amputation above the knee |
| Transhumeral (TH)(AE) |
Amputation above the elbow |
| Transmetatarsal |
Amputation of approximately 1/2 of the foot |
| Transradial (TR)(BE) |
Amputation below the elbow |
| Transtibial (TT)(BK) |
Amputation below the knee |
| UE |
Upper extremity or limb |
