BOC-COF key terms

An externally applied device worn on the body to support, align, correct, protect, or assist a body segment, used to improve function or reduce pain.

A credentialed health professional who evaluates a patient, designs, fabricates, fits, and adjusts orthoses, and educates the patient and caregivers about proper use and care.

A device placed inside the shoe to support, align, or cushion the foot, ranging from over-the-counter insoles to custom-molded inserts made from a patient-specific impression.

A custom foot orthosis molded to capture the entire plantar surface of the foot, distributing pressure widely and improving stability and proprioceptive feedback during weight bearing.

A casting technique in which the subtalar joint is held at its neutral position while the midtarsal joint is locked, producing a mold used to fabricate a balanced custom foot orthosis.

The position of the subtalar joint in which the foot is neither pronated nor supinated and the talus is congruently aligned, commonly used as the reference posture for casting and assessment.

A mold made by pressing the foot into a casting medium such as plaster or foam, capturing an impression of the foot that is later filled to create a positive model.

A three-dimensional replica of the patient's foot produced by filling a negative cast with plaster, which is then modified and used as the mold for fabricating an orthosis.

The amount of material added to the medial or lateral arch of a positive model to control the height and contour of the finished orthosis and influence foot alignment.

A wedged extension added to the heel of an orthosis that controls rearfoot position and motion, commonly used to maintain the calcaneus in a neutral or corrected alignment.

A wedge applied to the forefoot portion of an orthosis to control forefoot position relative to the rearfoot, often used to accommodate or correct a varus or valgus deformity.

A forefoot correction built into the mold itself during casting or modification, rather than added externally, so the finished device carries the correction within its shape.

A cupped or deep heel seat molded into an orthosis that cradles the calcaneus, stabilizes the rearfoot, and helps control excessive heel motion during gait.

An orthosis that crosses the ankle joint to control ankle and foot position, commonly used to manage drop foot, provide mediolateral stability, or limit plantar flexion and dorsiflexion.

A device extending from the thigh to the foot that controls the knee and ankle, used when knee stability or protection is required in addition to ankle and foot control.

The cut edges defining the borders of a plastic or metal orthosis; their location determines flexibility, pressure distribution, and the amount of motion the device allows.

A fabrication process in which heated thermoplastic sheet is drawn tightly over a positive model by suction, producing a shell that conforms closely to the patient's shape.

A plastic material that softens when heated and hardens when cooled, allowing repeated reshaping and making it common in custom orthotic fabrication and adjustment.

A plastic made from two or more different monomers, often blended to balance flexibility, rigidity, and durability in orthotic shells and foot orthoses.

A rigid, lightweight thermoplastic frequently used for ankle foot orthosis shells because it offers strength and fatigue resistance while remaining formable when heated.

Soft material placed between the orthosis and the skin to cushion pressure, reduce shear and friction, and improve comfort and tolerance during wear.

A localized area where an orthosis concentrates force on the body, which can cause discomfort, redness, or tissue breakdown if not relieved by adjustment or padding.

The condition of intact, healthy skin; orthotists inspect it at fitting and follow-up because pressure, moisture, and friction from a device can cause redness, blisters, or ulcers.

A foot-shaped form used by shoe manufacturers to build footwear; its shape and dimensions determine whether an orthosis fits properly inside a given shoe.

The front interior section of a shoe that houses the toes; its height and width must accommodate both the foot and any orthosis without causing pressure.

The stiffened rear portion of a shoe that stabilizes the heel and helps hold the foot and orthosis in place during walking.

The sequence of events from initial contact of one foot to the next contact of the same foot, divided into stance and swing phases used to evaluate orthotic effect.

The portion of the gait cycle during which the foot is on the ground bearing weight, typically about sixty percent of the cycle and the phase most influenced by orthotic design.

The portion of the gait cycle during which the foot is off the ground and advancing forward, when clearance and toe lift provided by an ankle foot orthosis matter most.

Weakness or paralysis of ankle dorsiflexion that prevents lifting the toes during swing, often managed with an ankle foot orthosis to improve clearance and reduce tripping.

A condition in which the medial longitudinal arch is lowered or absent, often associated with excessive pronation and commonly addressed with arch support in a foot orthosis.

An unusually high medial longitudinal arch that reduces plantar contact area and concentrates pressure, often requiring cushioning and total contact distribution in an orthosis.

Inflammation of the plantar fascia causing heel and arch pain, frequently treated with orthoses that support the arch, cushion the heel, and reduce strain on the tissue.

The extent of movement available at a joint, measured during assessment to determine how much motion an orthosis should allow, limit, or assist.

A measurement taken around a body segment with a tape to document limb shape and volume, guiding orthosis sizing and monitoring swelling or volume change over time.

The act of putting an orthosis on correctly, a skill the orthotist teaches the patient and caregivers so the device sits in the intended position and works as designed.

The act of removing an orthosis safely, including unfastening straps and checking the skin, which patients and caregivers are taught to perform correctly.

Instruction given to the patient and caregivers about wear schedule, skin checks, cleaning, and signs of problems, supporting safe and effective use of the orthosis.