Definition
A device that supports or assists a body part.
The trauma patient may have fractures or weakness that will benefit from the support of an orthosis. Orthotics are often named for the parts of the body they come in contact with or the joints they cross. A CTLSO (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral orthosis) is worn on the neck and trunk and supports the entire spine. An LSO (lumbar, sacral orthosis) fits on the lower trunk and provides support to the lower back. A HKAFO (hip, knee, ankle, foot orthosis) crosses and stabilizes the three joints of the lower limb and supports the foot. An AFO controls dorsiflexion and plantar flexion and medial and lateral stability of the ankle.
Upper limb orthotics are often used to stabilize the joints of the wrist and elbow following traumatic injuries. Fractures often need immobilization to maintain alignment during healing. Weakness as a result of direct soft tissue injury or nerve injury can also occur. Supporting the...
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Edelstein JE, Morez A (2011) Lower-limb prosthetics and orthotics. SLACK Incorporated, Thorofare
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© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Fetkenhour, D. (2015). Orthotics. In: Papadakos, P.J., Gestring, M.L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Trauma Care. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-29613-0_437
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-29613-0_437
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Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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