Resources & Glossary
Helpful Online Resources for Amputees
Post-op exercises for above knee amputation
Amputation Principles
Amputation in conflict and disaster: Exercises
History of Prosthetics
Tips & Best Practices
Physical Therapy After Amputation
Resources for Orthotic Users
C-brace leg Orthosis
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Support your body with a high quality orthotics and prosthetics
At Cape Town Orthotics and Prosthetics, we have our 30 years of experience dedicated to developing top of the range prosthetics and orthotics.
We believe in providing the highest quality care for each individual patient and their specific Prosthetic & Orthotic requirements.
Explore exceptional quality orthotic and prosthetic care at one of our conveniently located practices in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs and Southern Peninsula.
Glossary
Orthopaedics – A branch of medicine dealing with the correction of deformities of bones or muscles
Orthotic – A device (such as a brace or splint) for supporting, immobilizing or treating muscles, joints or skeletal parts which are weak, ineffective, deformed or injured
Prosthetic – An artitficial device to replace or augment a missing or impaired part of the body
Amputation – The action of surgically cutting off a limb
Amputee – A person who has had a limb amputated
Socket – The liner plays a key role in suspending the socket from the residual limb. It also serves as a protective barrier between your skin and the socket. Because the socket and suspension are fundamental to the effective functioning of a prosthetic leg, it is impossible to overstate the importance of selecting the right liner.
There are three main ways to attach a liner to your socket:
- a locking pin at the end furthest from the residual limb (locking liner)
- an extra sleeve applied over the liner and socket (cushion liner)
- a vacuum with a seal (seal-in liner)
Lately, the effectiveness of seal-in liners, which essentially operate through a passive vacuum system, has been demonstrated with the addition of a pump that sucks air out of the socket, creating an even stronger attachment.
Prosthetic Knee – A prosthetic knee mimics the function of a biological knee by providing safety, symmetry and smooth movement when walking. It also provides stability when standing and a range of motion that makes sitting and kneeling possible. The knee is one of the most complicated joints in the human body, so designing a prosthesis that functions like a biological knee can be challenging. If the design forces the user to walk in an unnatural way, they may experience back and hip pain or if the knee doesn’t suit the user’s physical requirements, it may cause them to fall. Be sure to communicate with your prosthetist to ensure you are getting the comfort and functionality from your prosthetic knee to meet your mobility needs.
Specialised Components – Prosthetic technology has come a long way toward helping amputees enjoy greater mobility and a life without limitations. Some of the most advanced prosthetics, like Bionic prosthetics, have on-board microprocessor computers and artificial intelligence (AI) that automatically adjust to changes in terrain and adapts real-time to your walking speed and style.
While the same prosthesis can be used for a range of activities, such as hiking, jogging and showering, other activities, such as sprinting, long-distance running and swimming, require a specialised prosthesis. If you plan to go sprinting regularly, it’s better to use components made specifically for that, such as the Cheetah blade.