AK — Above the knee level of amputation
AFO — Ankle Foot Orthosis
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
Traumatic amputation — A spontaneous removal of a limb as a result of an accident
Bilateral — Bi means both, meaning both sides
BE — Below elbow level of amputation – Transradial
BK — Below the knee level of amputation – Transtibial
Cadence — Walking speed
CPO — Certified prosthetist and orthotist (also known as CO – CP – CPOT)
Disarticulation — Limb is amputated through the joint
Distal — Located at a distance away from the point of origin
Doffing — Taking the prosthesis off
Donning — Putting the prosthesis on
Edema — Swelling of the tissues (also spelled oedema)
Endo — Inside
Exo — Outside
Gait — Training, learning to walk with a prosthesis
HKAFO — Hip Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis
HO — Hip Orthosis
KAFO — Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis
KO — Knee Orthosis
Liner — Soft socket rolled over the stump used for protection, comfort and in some cases as a suspension
Lower extremity — Lower limb
Phantom pain — Painful feeling in the part of the extremity that has been amputated
Phantom sensation — Awareness of the amputated limb, although not described as pain
Phantom limb — Sensation of the presence of the limb that has been amputated
Pistoning — When a liner stretches so that the stump elongates
Prosthesis — A fabricated/artificial substitute for a body part that is missing
Prosthetist — Someone who specializes in designing, fitting and making artificial limbs
Residual limb — The remaining part of the limb after amputation
Shrinker – made of an elastic material and designed to help control swelling of the residual limb or to shrink it in preparation for a prosthetic fitting
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
Transradial — Amputation below the elbow
Transfemoral — Amputation above the knee
Transmetasatal — Amputation through junction of toe and foot bones
Transtibial — Amputation below the knee
Transhumeral — Amputation above the elbow
Upper extremity — Upper limb
Total contact — Total contact between the limb and socket at all points
Vascular amputation — Amputation surgery perfomed as a result of impaired circulation of blood through the blood vessels of the limb
Feel free to contact us anytime with further questions or concerns at 866.633.3961
