Diagram with prothese and orthoses in detailed

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Prostheses & Orthoses — Detailed Illustrated Reference


PART 1 — DEFINITIONS

TermDefinition
ProsthesisAn artificial device that replaces a missing body part (limb, joint, organ)
OrthosisAn external device that supports, corrects, or augments a body segment that is still present

PART 2 — ORTHOSES

Core Principle

"The primary function of an orthosis is control of the motion of certain body segments. Orthoses are named according to the joints they control, the function they provide, and the method used to obtain or maintain that control." — Miller's Review of Orthopaedics, 9th Ed.
Orthoses may be static (no movement allowed), static-progressive (gradually adjustable), or dynamic (spring/hinge-assisted motion).

2A — LOWER LIMB ORTHOSES

Foot Orthoses (FO)

TypeMaterialFunction
RigidHard plasticLimits joint motion, stabilizes flexible deformities
SemirigidSemi-flexibleSupport + shock absorption
SoftFoam/viscoelasticShock absorption; accommodates fixed/neuropathic deformities

Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO) — Most common lower limb orthosis

Transtibial prosthesis components (a) vs. solid AFO (b)
Panel (a) = transtibial prosthesis anatomy; Panel (b) = solid posterior-shell AFO. Key contrast: prosthesis replaces the limb; AFO supports it.
Indications: Foot drop, plantar spasticity, spinal cord injury, post-hindfoot fusion Trimlines: Posterior → intermediate → full/anterior (increasing mediolateral control) Materials: Metal bars attached to shoe OR thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)

Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (KAFO)

  • Controls knee + ankle
  • Indications: Quadriceps paralysis, knee instability, post-polio, genu valgum/varum

Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (HKAFO)

  • Controls hip + knee + ankle
  • Indications: High-level paraplegia (T12–L2), spina bifida
  • Heavy; functional ambulation limited

Pediatric — Pavlik Harness

  • Mainstay for early treatment of developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH)
  • Dynamic; allows hip motion without total immobilization

2B — UPPER LIMB ORTHOSES

Elbow Orthoses

TypeUse
Hinged-elbowLigament instability (minimal stability)
Dynamic spring-loadedFlexion/extension contractures
Elbow strapLateral epicondylitis
Long-arm splint (45° flexion)Cubital tunnel syndrome

Wrist-Hand Orthoses (WHO)

TypeUse
Static/static-progressive/dynamicPost-operative after injury or reconstructive surgery
Opponens splintThumb prepositioning (impairs tactile sensation)
Wrist-driven hand orthosisLower cervical quadriplegia; body-powered by tenodesis

2C — SPINE ORTHOSES

Cervical Orthoses

Effective immobilization ranges from soft collars → rigid collars → posted orthoses (shoulder/chin purchase) → halo vest (greatest stability; pins fixed to skull)

Thoracolumbar Orthoses (for Scoliosis)

Spinal braces: A = Milwaukee (CTLSO), B = Boston brace (TLSO), C = OMC brace (TLSO variant)
A = Milwaukee brace (CTLSO) for high thoracic curves (apex above T7); B = Boston brace (TLSO) for thoracolumbar curves; C = Osaka Medical College (OMC) asymmetric TLSO.
OrthosisCoverageKey Feature
CTLSO (Milwaukee)Cervical → sacralPelvic mold + metal bars + neck ring; longitudinal distraction
TLSO (Boston)Below axilla → pelvisRigid symmetric plastic shell; under-arm trim line
LSOLumbar → sacralThree-point pressure mechanism; reduces back pain

2D — FRACTURE BRACES

  • Remain valuable for isolated tibia/fibula fractures
  • Prefabricated versions for ankle sprains, simple foot/hand fractures

PART 3 — PROSTHESES

3A — LOWER LIMB PROSTHESES

Levels of Amputation → Prosthesis Type

Amputation LevelProsthesis
Toe/partial footToe fillers, foot orthosis
Transtibial (below-knee)BK prosthesis
Knee disarticulationThrough-knee prosthesis
Transfemoral (above-knee)AK prosthesis with prosthetic knee
Hip disarticulationHip disarticulation prosthesis

Transtibial Prosthesis Components

(as seen in the diagram above, panel a)
  1. Residual limb (stump)
  2. Liner — soft silicone/urethane interface; reduces shear
  3. Socket — rigid custom-molded; transfers body weight distally
  4. Shank — exoskeletal (hard outer shell) or endoskeletal (pylon)
  5. Prosthetic foot — SACH (Solid Ankle Cushion Heel), energy-storing carbon fiber, or multiaxial

Transfemoral Prosthesis — Additional Components

  • Prosthetic knee joint: mechanical (single-axis, polycentric) or microprocessor-controlled
  • Suspension systems: suction socket, pin-lock, lanyard

Pediatric — Combined Prosthetic + Orthotic Use

This clinical photo illustrates integration in a child with congenital limb deficiencies: a transfemoral prosthesis on one side and a KAFO/AFO supporting a shortened limb on the other — a common rehabilitation strategy.

3B — UPPER LIMB PROSTHESES

Levels of Amputation → Prosthesis Type

LevelProsthesis
Partial handFinger/partial-hand prosthesis
Wrist disarticulationBelow-elbow (transradial) variant
Transradial (below-elbow)TR prosthesis
Elbow disarticulationThrough-elbow prosthesis
Transhumeral (above-elbow)TH prosthesis with powered elbow
Shoulder disarticulationShoulder prosthesis

Types by Control Mechanism

TypeMechanismComponents
Body-poweredHarness + cable systemHook or mechanical hand terminal device
Myoelectric (EMG-controlled)Surface EMG signals from residual musclesMotorized hand, wrist rotator
HybridCombination of body-powered + myoelectric
Bionic/Multi-articulatingMyoelectric + microprocessor, individual finger controli-Limb, Bebionic

Transhumeral Prosthesis — Labeled Components

Transhumeral prosthesis: (1) Modified Hosmer motorized elbow, (2) Raspberry Pi 3 controller, (3) Ottobock electronic wrist rotator, (4) i-Limb Ultra prosthetic hand
Advanced 2-DoF transhumeral prosthesis showing modular integration of powered elbow, forearm processor, wrist rotator, and myoelectric hand.

PART 4 — QUICK COMPARISON TABLE

FeatureOrthosisProsthesis
Limb present?✅ Yes❌ No (replaces it)
PurposeSupport / correct / protectReplace / substitute
Named byJoints controlled (e.g., AFO, KAFO)Level of amputation (e.g., transtibial)
ExamplesAFO, TLSO, Pavlik harness, elbow strapBK prosthesis, myoelectric hand, SACH foot
FixationExternal straps, shells, uprightsSocket + suspension system

PART 5 — NAMING CONVENTIONS

Orthoses use acronyms based on anatomical coverage:
  • FO = Foot Orthosis
  • AFO = Ankle-Foot Orthosis
  • KAFO = Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis
  • HKAFO = Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis
  • WHO = Wrist-Hand Orthosis
  • EWHO = Elbow-Wrist-Hand Orthosis
  • SO = Shoulder Orthosis
  • LSO = Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis
  • TLSO = Thoracic-Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis
  • CTLSO = Cervical-Thoracic-Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis
Prostheses are named by amputation level and side (e.g., right transtibial prosthesis, left transhumeral myoelectric prosthesis).

Sources: Miller's Review of Orthopaedics 9th Ed.; Rockwood and Green's Fractures in Adults 10th Ed. 2025
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