Wrist-Hand Orthosis
Also written as: WHO — Wrist-Hand Orthosis
An upper-limb orthotic device encompassing the wrist and hand, used to immobilise, support, or correct deformity at these joints.
Full Definition
A wrist-hand orthosis (WHO) is an orthotic appliance that spans from the forearm across the wrist to the hand or fingers, designed to rest, position, or correct the wrist and hand joints in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, stroke-related spasticity, and peripheral nerve injury. In orthotic documentation, the acronym WHO must be used with care, as it is easily confused with the World Health Organization. Editors should verify context before using the acronym alone and should expand 'wrist-hand orthosis' at first mention. The device may be static (immobilising) or dynamic (providing assisted motion), a distinction that is clinically important and must be preserved in editing.
Usage
Usage note: The acronym WHO is highly ambiguous in any health-related document; always expand at first use and consider using the full form throughout to avoid confusion with the World Health Organization.
In Context
- "A static wrist-hand orthosis was prescribed to maintain the wrist in 20° extension and prevent flexion contracture." — Occupational therapy and orthotics joint referral letter
- "The editor flagged the standalone acronym 'WHO' as ambiguous and recommended expanding to 'wrist-hand orthosis (WHO)' at first use throughout the document." — Copy-editing annotation