ABC CPO study guide

The Certified Prosthetist-Orthotist (CPO) credential is issued by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC), the national certifying and accrediting body for the orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic professions. ABC states that "Since 1948, ABC has set the quality standards for the orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic professions and today represents the highest ideals in the profession." The CPO designation is intended for clinicians who practice across both disciplines - fabricating and fitting prostheses for people with limb loss or difference, and orthoses for people who need support, alignment, or protection of the musculoskeletal system. Because a CPO is certified in both areas, exam preparation must be balanced: this study set is organized as a 50/50 split between Prosthetics and Orthotics, and candidates should expect to move fluidly between the two domains rather than mastering one and coasting on the other. Preparation should combine structured content review with device-specific decision making: patient evaluation and measurement, design and component selection, casting and modification, alignment, fitting, gait and functional assessment, follow-up, and documentation. The ABC CPO study guide has 2 sections and about 634 words.