Prosthetics
The clinical and technical discipline concerned with the design, fabrication, and fitting of prostheses.
Full Definition
Prosthetics refers to the specialized field of healthcare and biomedical engineering that encompasses the assessment, design, manufacture, and fitting of artificial limbs and devices. Practitioners in this field are called prosthetists. In editorial work, 'prosthetics' must not be used in place of 'prosthesis' when referring to a single device. The field intersects with orthotics, rehabilitation medicine, and biomedical engineering. Documents in this field include prescription forms, fitting reports, and outcomes assessments.
Usage
Usage note: 'Prosthetics' is a mass noun referring to the discipline; it cannot refer to a single device. Do not write 'a prosthetics' — use 'a prosthesis.'
In Context
- "The department specializes in prosthetics and orthotics, serving patients across all age groups." — Hospital service brochure
- "When editing the grant proposal, she corrected 'prosthetics' to 'prosthesis' wherever the device itself was meant." — Research grant proposal