Amp U T chat is for amputees.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

A/K

Above knee (transfemoral)

B/K

Below knee (transtibial)

CAD-CAM

Computer aided design, computer aided manufacture. In prosthetics, a method of producing and modifying prosthetic models and sockets.

cadence response

A type of prosthetic knee control which varies automatically with walking speed -- usually achieved with hydraulic or pneumatic knee units.

CAT-CAM

Contoured Adducted Trochanteric - Controlled Alignment Method. An ischial-containment above-knee socket design defined by John Sabolich, CPO.

disarticulation

amputation through an anatomical joint (ankle, knee, hip, elbow, shoulder.)

endoskeletal

(adj.)--prosthetic construction utilizing internal hardware and a soft foam cosmetic cover.

exoskeletal

(adj.)--posthetic construction with an outer hard "skin" (plastic, wood or metal) as the structural component.

ICEROSS

An acronym for Icelandic roll-on silicone socket. An interface and suspension device applicable to many below-knee, above-knee, below-elbow, and above-elbow prostheses.

Ischial-containment socket

An above-knee socket design which places the ischial tuberosity within the socket.

Narrow M-L

An above-knee socket design which fits snugly against the femur and the ischial tuberosity to achieve socket stability. A term often used interchangeably with "ischial containment."

prosthesis

(n.)--an artificial replacement for a body part, either external or internal (pl: prostheses)

prosthetic

(adj.)--dealing with or relating to a prosthesis or prostheses (e.g., "prosthetic" device)

Prosthetics

(n., collective)--the discipline dealing with prostheses or prosthetic devices

Prosthetist

--a professional who designs and fits external prosthetic devices

PTB

Patellar-tendon-bearing. A below-knee socket design which achieves significant weight-bearing on the patellar tendon, just below the knee cap. An essential component of most below-knee designs since the 1950's, but losing some popularity to "total-surface-bearing" approaches.

Quadrilateral socket

A somewhat "square" above-knee socket design intended to resemble the cross-sectional shape of the thigh musculature, with a flat "seat" to support the ischial tuberosity. This concept has been largely replaced by ischial-containment designs.

SACH (foot)

Solid Ankle-Cushion Heel. A simple, non-jointed foot which achieves its action by compression of a rubber cushion at heel strike, followed by progression to a solid midfoot and a rubber toe.

Total contact

An essential component of most prosthetic fittings, requiring contact between the limb and the prosthetic socket at all points, though not necessarily with uniform pressure.

TSB (Total surface bearing)

A total contact fitting approach which attempts to achieve a uniform distribution of weight-bearing forces, usually with tissue compression.

Glossary of Terms courtesy of Charles Martin, CPO, serving the historic Charleston, South Carolina community. You can email Charles Martin at .