Prosthetic Services Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
Gait Training
The structured therapeutic process by which a prosthetic user learns to walk safely and efficiently with their prosthetic device under the guidance of a physical therapist.
ABC
Abbreviation for the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics; the primary US credentia...
Adductor Roll
A soft-tissue fold that forms in the medial proximal thigh when a transfemoral socket fit is incorrect, typically due to...
AFO
Ankle–Foot Orthosis; a device that supports the ankle and foot to control position and motion.
Amputation Level
The anatomical site at which a limb has been surgically removed, which determines the type and design of prosthesis pres...
Bench Alignment
The initial, static positioning of prosthetic components relative to one another performed in the prosthetist's workshop...
Bilateral Amputee
An individual who has undergone amputation of both limbs at either the same or corresponding levels, presenting unique p...
Bowden Cable
A flexible inner cable running through an outer housing that transmits body movement to operate a body-powered prostheti...
CAD/CAM Fabrication
Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing processes applied to the design and milling of prosthetic sockets...
Certificate of Medical Necessity
A formal document completed by a prescribing physician attesting that a prescribed prosthetic device is medically necess...
Check Socket
A transparent or translucent test socket fabricated to verify fit, alignment, and comfort before the definitive socket i...
CMN
Abbreviation for Certificate of Medical Necessity, a payer-required form documenting clinical justification for a prescr...
Cosmesis
The outer cosmetic cover of a prosthetic device, designed to simulate the appearance of a natural limb.
CP
Abbreviation for Certified Prosthetist; a professional credential awarded by the ABC to practitioners who have met educa...
Definitive Prosthesis
A permanent, custom-fabricated prosthetic device prescribed after residual limb maturation is complete and a preparatory...
DMEPOS
Acronym for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies; the Medicare billing category encompassing...
Doffing
The act of removing a prosthetic or orthotic device, performed by reversing the donning sequence.
Donning
The act of putting on a prosthetic or orthotic device, including the application of the liner, sock, and socket in the c...
Dynamic Alignment
The iterative adjustment of prosthetic component positioning conducted while the patient ambulates, to optimise gait mec...
Dynamic-Response Foot
A prosthetic foot design incorporating energy-storing and energy-returning carbon-fibre or composite components that rep...
Elevated Vacuum Suspension
A prosthetic suspension mechanism that maintains a continuous negative-pressure environment within the socket to secure...
Endoskeletal Prosthesis
A prosthetic limb design featuring an internal structural frame (pylon) covered by a soft cosmetic foam and skin-tone co...
Energy-Return Foot
A prosthetic foot component constructed from flexible carbon-fibre or composite materials that store and release mechani...
ESAR
Acronym for Energy-Storing-and-Return, describing a class of prosthetic foot designs that store elastic energy during lo...
Exoskeletal Prosthesis
A prosthetic limb design in which the outer shell bears the structural load, typically constructed from rigid laminated...