CO key terms

A timed walk in which the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and gait are monitored before and after to judge how much energy the residual limb can tolerate in a prosthesis.

A structured inspection and palpation of the amputated limb recording length, girth, shape, scars, skin integrity, sensation, pulses, and temperature before any socket is designed.

Checking whether the limb feels light touch, pinprick, and vibration normally, so the clinician knows where pressure can be applied and where skin breakdown is likely.

The condition of the skin covering the residual limb, including whether it is intact, blistered, macerated, or broken, which determines whether fitting can proceed today.

Tracking and accommodating day-to-day changes in limb size using socks, liners, or adjustable sockets so the prosthesis neither pistons nor becomes too tight.

A Medicare functional classification from zero to four describing a patient's demonstrated ability and potential to ambulate, used to justify which prosthetic components are covered.

A written outline of the goals, component choices, timeline, and responsibilities agreed with the patient and care team before fabrication begins.

A meeting of physician, therapist, prosthetist, and often the patient or family to set shared goals and resolve conflicts in the rehabilitation plan.

The work of scheduling, communicating, and sharing records among all providers so evaluations, fittings, and therapy sessions occur in a sensible order.

The hollow replica of the residual limb, usually made in plaster or digital form, from which a positive model is produced.

A solid reproduction of the residual limb created by filling the negative impression, then shaped and smoothed to become the socket's master form.

The record of the limb's shape taken with plaster wraps or a digital scanner, capturing contours, bony prominences, and soft tissue under a defined load.

A three-dimensional electronic capture of the limb's surface made with a handheld scanner or structured-light device, later edited in software instead of plaster.

The hands-on process of wrapping the limb in plaster or fiberglass to create a negative mold, controlling pressure over sensitive and load-bearing areas.

Adding or removing material on the positive model so that pressure is relieved over sensitive spots and directed to areas that tolerate load.

The overall reshaping of the model, including both buildups and reductions, to produce the intended socket geometry and load distribution.

A localized area of the socket made slightly larger or softer so that a bony prominence, scar, or tender spot is not pressed during wear.

A socket design philosophy in which the entire limb surface shares the load evenly rather than concentrating force on a few pressure-tolerant regions.

How well the socket's shape, volume, and suspension match the limb, judged by comfort, stability, pistoning, and absence of focal redness.

One layer of prosthetic sock, with numbered thicknesses added or removed to compensate for limb volume changes inside the socket.

The method that keeps the prosthesis attached to the limb, such as suction, pin-and-lock, lanyard, or belt systems, each with different security and freedom.

A soft interface worn against the skin inside the socket, made of silicone, gel, or similar material, to cushion, grip, and protect the limb.

Skin changes such as redness, rash, itching, or breakdown caused by friction, pressure, heat, or sensitivity to liner or socket materials.

The spatial relationship of socket, knee, and foot set on the prosthesis, adjusted so the patient stands balanced and walks with minimal effort.

The initial setup of components performed on the workbench using known reference lines and angles before the patient ever stands in the prosthesis.

Fine adjustment of the prosthesis while the patient walks, guided by observation of gait and the patient's reports of comfort and stability.

Any departure from typical walking pattern, such as vaulting, circumduction, or excessive trunk lean, that signals a fit, alignment, or training problem.

Computer-aided design and manufacturing, in which limb shape data is edited on screen and the resulting socket is carved or printed by machine.

The sequence of fabric layers, resin, and reinforcement built over a model to form a rigid or flexible socket with chosen strength and weight.

Shaping a heated plastic sheet over or into a model under vacuum so it cools into the socket or test shape desired.

A temporary, often transparent test socket used to verify fit and comfort before committing to a definitive, more expensive prosthesis.

The appointment at which the finished prosthesis is handed over, final adjustments are made, and the patient is taught to don, doff, and care for it.

Teaching the patient and caregivers how to put on, remove, clean, inspect, and troubleshoot the prosthesis, and when to seek clinical help.

A gradual plan for how many hours per day the new prosthesis should be worn, increasing over weeks so the skin adapts without injury.

A validated scored test, such as a timed walking or balance assessment, used to document ability and show change over time objectively.

The planned time between routine visits, set by limb maturity, activity level, and risk factors, at which fit and function are rechecked.

Obtaining the patient's voluntary agreement after explaining options, risks, benefits, and alternatives in terms the patient understands.

The legally defined set of activities a credentialed professional may perform, which limits what a prosthetist can assess, prescribe, or modify independently.

The written record of assessments, measurements, devices provided, education given, and outcomes, which supports billing, continuity of care, and legal defensibility.