A | B | C | D | E

Abduction-Moving a limb away from midline of the body
Achilles tendon-Prominent tendon at the back of the leg behinde the ankle
Adduction- Moving a limb toward the midline of the body
ADL- Actvities of daily living
AFO- Ankle Foot Orthosis
AK- A prosthesis or amputation above the knee, more commonly, Transfermoral
Anterior- Toward the front of the body
Atrophy- The reduction in the size of a muscle, often from disuse

BE- An amputation or prosthesis below the the knee, more commonly, Transradial
Bench Alignment- The basic alignment of a socket and other components which is established before the prosthetist begins to align the prosthesis on the client.
Bilateral- "Both sides" if both legs are amputated, bilateral prostheses would be provided.
Biomechanics- The scientific study of body movement and forces
BK- An amputation or prosthesis below the knee, more commonly, transtibial
BOCO- Orthostist certified by the BOard for Orthotiest/Prosthetist Certifcation (BOC)
BOCP- Prosthetist certified by the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certifcation (BOC)
BOCPO-Prosthetist/Orthotist certified by the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certifcation (BOC)
Bulbous- A residual limb that is large at the end, near the surgical site

Cadence- The speed at which one walks
Calcaneus- Heel bone
Callous- Thickening of the skin
Carpals- The bones between the metacarpals and the wrist.
Cast- modification adding or removing material from the plaster model of a residual limb to improve the fit of the socket that will be made from that plaster model
Cavus foot- A foot with an unusually high arch
Check socket- A socket, usually transparent, which is used to evaluate the socket fit before the fabrication of the final socket, allso called a test socket.
Chopart- A partial foot amputation leaving only the calcaneus and talus intact
Clavicle- The collar bone
CO- Orthotist certified by the American Board for Certfication (ABC)
Coccyx- Distal portion of bertebral column; the tall bone
Compound fracture- A bone fracture which has broken through the skin
Congenital- "Born with", as with birth deformities
Congenital limb deficiency- Absence of a limb or part of a limb at the time of birth
Contracture- A shortening of a muscle
Cosmesis- The appearance of a device
Cosmetic cover- The protective external cover that gives an endoskeletal prosthesis a normal anatomical appearance.
CP- Prosthetist certified by the American Board for Certification (ABC)
CPO- Prosthetist/Orthotist certified by American Board for Certification (ABC)

Decubitis- Ulcer bed sore; pressure sore
Definitive prosthesis- A permanent prosthesis which, it is anticipated, the client will use for a long time.
Disarticulation- Amputation through a joint, no bone is cut
Distal- Away from the trunk, when referring to a limb, the part farthest from the body
Doffing- The act of taking the prosthesis or orthosis off
Donning- The act of putting the prosthesis or orthosis on
Dorsiflexion- The motion of the ankle joint that raises the foot
Drop foot- An inability to dorsiflex foot (raise the foot)
Dynamic alignment- Adjusting the prosthetic components to suit the movement patterns of the client.

Edema- Collection of fluids causing swelling of the tissues (also spelled oedema)
Endoskeletal- "Inside Skeleton", a prosthesis has the structural components inside a nonstructural cover which provides protection and cosmesis
Energy storing foot- A prosthetic component designed with a flexible inner structure that flexes slightly during weight bearing and then releases its energy to help the prosthesis move forward
Ertl Procedure- A transtibial amputation technique in which bone is introduced between the tibia and fibula, so that they will be secured together for greater comfort and function
Exoskeletal- "Outside skeleton", a prosthesis which is supported by a rigid outside shell
Extension- To straighten a joint

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