P | R | S

Paralysis- Inability to use muscles because of nerve damage
Paraplegia- Partial or complete paralysis of both legs
Paraplegic- One who has paraplegia; paralyzed from the waist down
Patella- The kneecap
Pathomechanics- The scientific study of faulty body movement
Peripheral vascular disease- Disease of the small blood vessels near the skin surface
Pes Planus- A foot with a low or flat arch
Phalanges- Fingers or toes
Phantom Pain- An abnormal painful sensation in that part of an amputated limb that is no longer present
Phantom Sensation- Sensory awareness of the part of an amputated limb that is no longer present, a normal and non-painful condition
Physical therapy- Exercise and training to restore function
Pistoning- When the residual limb moves slightly into and out of the socket
Plantar- The bottom surface of the foot, the sole
PMR- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitaion
Polycentric Knee- A prosthetic knee component with more than one axis of rotation to increase knee stability. It is helpful for fitting amputees with long residual limbs because it improves cosmesis by minimizing the length of the thigh section
Posterior- Toward the back of the body
Post-operative prosthesis- A prosthesis which is fitted to the patient immediately following surgery
Prehension- To hold or grasp
Prognosis- Prediction of the medical outcome
Prostheses- The plural of prosthesis (artificial limb)
Prosthesis- A device which replaces a missing body part; an artificial limb
Prosthetist- A professional specializing in designing, fitting and fabricating artificial limb
PT- Physical therapist, or physical therapy
PTB socket Patella Tendon Bearing Socket- a type of socket for a below-knee amputee, which is designed to bear weight on the tendon just below the patella
PTS socket Patella Tendon Super Condylar Socket- a type of socket for a below-knee amputees with treim lines, which provide suspension by enclosing the bones of the knee Quadriplegia Partial or complete paralysis of both the arms and legs

Radius- One of the two bones between the elbow and hand; the radius joins the hand nearest the thumb
Residual limb- That part of the limb which remains after amputation- the stump RGO Reciprocating Gait Orthosis- an HKAFO or KAFO that links the legs so that a paralyzed person is able to step forward to walk- crutches are commonly required for balance
Rigid dressing- A cast or device applied after amputation, which controls swelling and reduces pain
ROM- Range of motion, ithe extent of the ability to move a joint

SACH foot Solid Ankle Cushion Heel - A prosthetic foot that has no mechanical axis and simulates normal foot function by compression of the heel and flexibility of the toe
Scapula- The bone referred to as the shoulder blade
Scoliosis- Lateral curvature of the spine; S shaped spine
Silesian Bandage or belt- A flexible belt which can be used to assist the suspension of a
Single axis foot- A prosthetic foot with only one pivot point which allows movement in one plane
Socket- The part of the prosthesis that encloses the residual limg
Spasm- Involuntary muscle contraction
Spastic- Subject to involuntary muscular contractions or spasms
Spinal orthosis- Brace applied to all or part of the trunk, head and neck, and their intermediate joints
Stance control knee- A prosthetic knee component with a mechanism which increases the safety and stability of the knee
Static alignment- Alignment of the prosthesis or orthosis while the patient is standing but not walking
Stockinette- A tubular cotton of nylon fabric which is sometimes used to don a prosthetic socket
Stroke- Rupturing of a blood vessel in the brain
Stump shrinker- A compressive wrapping or sock applied to the residual limb to prevent swellingand shape the limb, commonly used during the first post-operative months
Stump sock- A sock worn over the residual limb to cushion the limb ad provide a snug fit between limb and socket
Suction socket- A type of prosthetic socket that is held on the limb with negative pressure
Suspension- To hold up or suspend; used to descrive the method of holding a prosthesis in place
Suspension sleeve- A flexible component that suspends a transtibial prosthesis- it is an elastic tubular sleeve that is pulled over the upper part of the prosthesis and the rolled up on the thigh once the prosthesis has been donned
Syme- An ankle disarticulation amputation procedure named for the physician who invented it, the bulbous end of the limb is often able to bear weight. Also, a prosthesis for a Syme amputee

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