Technical Terms on Amputation

The list below explains some of the terms commonly used in the field of prosthetics, it is from The War Amps Website, there is a link included for more information. You may need to know these for future reference.

Here is the link to The War Amps website for further information:
https://www.waramps.ca/ways-we-help/living-with-amputation/#prosthetic-limbs

If you wish to reach them you can contact The War Amps at:

Phone number: 1 877 622-2472

Email: info@waramps.ca

Abrasion

Wearing away of the skin through rubbing or friction

Acquired amputation

An amputation due to a traumatic injury, or an amputation necessary to treat a disease or illness

AE

An above-elbow amputation

AK

An above-knee amputation

Alignment

How the components in an artificial leg line up in relation to each other

Amputation

Removal of all or part of a limb(s) due to injury, disease or illness

Amputee

A person who has had all or part of a limb(s) removed or is born without all or part of a limb(s)

Anterior

The front side

Atrophy

The shrinkage of muscle tissue due to change in function

BE

A below-elbow amputation

Bilateral amputee

An amputee missing both arms or both legs

BK

A below-knee amputation

CAD/CAM

Acronym for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing; refers to technology in the making of artificial limbs

Cadence

Rhythm of walking

Check/diagnostic socket

A temporary plastic socket formed over the plaster model to assist in the fitting process

Congenital amputee

A person who was born missing part or all of a limb(s)

Contracture

Tightening of muscles around a joint which causes restriction in the range of motion

Cosmesis

Cosmetic (aesthetic) appearance of an artificial limb

Cosmetic glove

An outer covering, which is often lifelike, to protect a prosthetic hand

CP

Certified Prosthetist

CPO

Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist

Definitive prosthesis

An artificial limb designed for long term comfort, fit, alignment, function, cosmetic appeal and durability (to replace temporary/preparatory first fitting)

Desensitization

The process of making the residual limb less sensitive to touch by massaging, tapping, using vibrations or rubbing with a cloth

Disarticulation

An amputation through a joint – the hip, knee, ankle, elbow, wrist or shoulder

Distal

Farthest from the centre/trunk (e.g., the foot is the distal part of the leg)

Doffing

Taking off a prosthesis

Donning

Putting on a prosthesis

Edema

Swelling of tissue

Endoskeletal prosthesis

Has a soft outer shell (supported by an internal skeleton of a pylon, etc.) – components are lightweight and require fewer adjustments

Energy return

Energy output, achieved by a spring-like design in prosthetic feet

Exoskeletal prosthesis

Hard outer shell – generally heavier but more durable than endoskeletal. The components last longer and are more suitable for recreational activities

Flexion

Joint motion; flexing or bending a joint

Gait

Manner of walking, which is individual to each person

Gait training

Professional training to achieve a natural gait (manner of walking) or to correct gait deviations

Hook device

A terminal device operated by body movement that provides a good grasping function

Hypertrophy

Increase in the size of muscle tissue due to use

Interface

Inner surface of the socket, or portion of the prosthesis closest to the skin

Lateral

Towards the side or outside (e.g., the outside of the thigh is a lateral part of the leg)

Lower extremity

Lower limb

Medial

Towards the midline of the body (e.g., the inside of the thigh is a medial part of the leg)

Myoelectric

Prosthetic technology that uses electronic sensors to pick up the feedback from muscle contractions to move artificial components such as a hand or elbow

Neuroma

A ball of nerve fibres that forms on the end of a severed nerve that continues to grow and can sometimes cause pain

Occupational therapist

A person who works with an amputee to teach the amputee how to use a prosthesis (such as a myoelectric arm) and adaptive skills

Opposition post

A device that assists partial hand amputees to grasp while retaining sensation (also referred to as a spatula device)

Orthopedic surgeon

A person who performs surgery on bones or muscles (i.e., amputation, hip replacement, residual limb revision surgery)

Orthosis

Device used to support weakened joints or limbs

Orthotist

A person who builds and maintains devices to support weakened joints or limbs, such as a brace

PFFD/Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency

Proximal – nearest point to centre or to point of attachment
Femoral – the thigh bone (the longest and strongest bone in the body, extending from the pelvis to the knee)
Focal – focus or starting point
Deficiency – lack or shortage

Phantom limb pain

Pain experienced by an amputee in a limb or part of a limb no longer present

Phantom limb sensation

Sensation that a limb or part of a limb no longer there is still present

Physiatrist

A doctor of rehabilitation medicine specializing in the comprehensive management of clients with conditions arising from neuromuscular, muskuloskeletal and vascular disorders

Physiotherapist

A person who works with an amputee in the rehabilitation phase to improve muscle function through exercise and can assist with gait training

Pistoning

The act of a residual limb slipping up and down within the socket

Ply

The thickness of prosthetic socks (i.e., the higher the number, the thicker the sock)

Posterior

The back side

Prostheses

More than one prosthesis (artificial limb)

Prosthesis

An artificial limb

Prosthetic sock

A sock generally worn with an artificial limb that provides additional padding for bony surfaces

Prosthetist

A professional who builds and maintains artificial limbs

Pylon

A rigid central shaft, usually tubular, that is attached to the socket or knee unit of an endoskeletal prosthesis. The lower end of the pylon is connected to an artificial foot or ankle

Range of motion

The amount of movement a limb has in a specific direction at a specific joint (e.g., hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow or wrist)

Rehabilitation

The process of restoring a person who has been debilitated to a functional life

Residual limb

The part of the limb remaining after the amputation

Revision surgery

Surgical alteration of the residual limb to improve function or appearance

Rotationplasty

A procedure where the lower portion of the leg is rotated 180 degrees and reattached. The ankle acts like a knee joint, providing extra function (e.g., Van Nes rotation)

Sequelae

Long-term effects of a disease, injury, procedure or treatment

Socket

The part of the prosthesis (artificial limb) that fits around the residual limb, and fits around the liner or socket insert if one is used

Soft insert liner

Cup-shaped form that fits inside the socket of a below-knee artificial limb

Soft socket

Soft liner within a socket to provide cushioning

Sound limb

Limb that does not have an amputation

Spatula device

A device that assists partial hand amputees to grasp while retaining sensation (also referred to as an opposition post)

Stump

The part of the limb remaining (aka residual limb)

Suspension

Method by which the artificial limb is held in place

Syme's amputation

Named for the surgeon who introduced the procedure – the foot is removed, the shin bones are flattened and the heel pad is sewn back in place; is similar to a Boyd amputation

Terminal device

The part of the artificial arm that acts like a hand – can be a passive or mechanical hand, hook or myoelectric device

Total suction socket

Allows the artificial limb to be held in place by air pressure only, eliminates the use of belts and straps

Van Nes rotation

A procedure where the lower portion of the leg is rotated 180 degrees and reattached. The ankle acts as a knee joint, providing extra function

Vascular amputation

Amputation performed as a result of impaired circulation of blood through the blood vessels

                                                                 References

Amps, T. (2021). Living With Amputation | The War Amps. Retrieved 20 October 2021, from https://www.waramps.ca/ways-we-help/living-with-amputation/