About
The Oxford dictionary defines orthotics as the branch of
The field of orthotics covers appliances for the lower limb, upper limb, trunk and neck.
The term takes birth from the Greek “ortho” that means “to straighten.” Thus the field is connected to orthopaedics. The professionals engaged in this field are ‘Othotists’. An interesting fact is that ‘Orthopaedic’ means ‘straight child’!
An orthotic is defined as an orthopaedic appliance that supports, aligns, prevents, or corrects deformities of a body part or to improves the function of a movable part of the body. Brace is a synonym for orthoses. A
Let me not confuse you with all the jargons! The field of orthotics is not a recent entry into Medical science; it dates back to long before the times of Hippocrates to the ancient Egyptian dynasties. Ancient Egyptian paintings depict persons wearing orthoses. Hippocrates, the Greek physician (ca. 460 BC – ca. 370 BC) used
ORTHOTIC CLINICAL TEAM - The members of an orthotic clinical team comprises of the following professionals:
- Orthotist
- Physician
- Physical therapist
Oh yes but the key member of the team is the patient himself.
In addition the team also includes occupational therapist, pedorthist, social worker and other health care professionals (like a podiatrist). A pedorthist is a specialist in using footwear (which includes shoes, shoe modifications, foot orthoses and other pedorthic devises). Podiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg.
