Basics About Over The Counter Orthotics

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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 refers to a primary medical clinician whose specialty is in prescribing, manufacturing, installing, and managing orthoses. The functions performed by orthoses on the body are many and diverse. Basically, they help in controlling, limiting, immobilizing, and/or guiding joints, body segments, or extremities for specific reasons. They also restrict movement in a certain direction, lower weight bearing forces, assist with general movement, correct shape and/or function of body parts, and aid in rehabilitation processes.

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, the body parts had to be traced to make orthoses that would fit well. The invention of plaster of Paris changed that because it made it possible to make a mold of the organ. The accuracy that plaster of Paris allows has made it to continue dominating in the industry. The use of computers has also been introduced with computer aided designs being employed a lot. Other technologies that improve speed, ease, and accuracy are 3D printing and CNC machines.

Description of orthoses follows a specific internationally recognized method. Some among the orthoses that are named following the international system are foot, forearm-wrist, ankle foot, thoracolumbosacral, upper limb, upper-extremity, clavicular and shoulder, forearm-wrist-thumb, hand, knee, knee-ankle-foot, and elbow orthoses. The goal of the International Standard terminology is reducing differences in how orthoses are named worldwide.

To become a licensed orthotist in the United States requires one to have met the basic qualifications. People who have met the minimum professional and academic requirements in the field are usually licensed by the American Board of Certification. Becoming certified requires one to have a degree in orthotics and having completed a one-year residency training. The residency program must be undertaken at an approved clinical site.

A three-part test must also be done and passed before certified status is awarded. Those who are certified assume the title of CO, the short form for certified orthotist. Other qualification that may be based upon when certifying professionals in this field are Pedorthics and prosthetics.

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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