OPC Orthotics Written key terms

A structured conversation used to gather a patient's history, goals, symptoms, and functional limitations before any physical examination or device recommendation is made.

The primary problem or concern the patient states as the reason for seeking care, recorded in the patient's own words at the start of the encounter.

A record of past and current illnesses, surgeries, injuries, medications, and allergies that may affect tissue tolerance, healing, or device selection.

An additional health condition existing alongside the primary diagnosis that can influence healing, skin integrity, endurance, or the choice of orthotic design.

The measured extent of movement available at a joint, recorded in degrees and used to decide how much correction or support a device should provide.

The technique of measuring joint angles with a protractor-like instrument to document baseline motion and later change in range of motion.

A graded hands-on assessment of a patient's strength in a specific movement, scored on a standard 0-to-5 scale to guide orthotic control decisions.

The resting tension or resistance felt when a limb is moved passively, described as normal, flaccid, spastic, or rigid and relevant to device tolerance.

A velocity-dependent increase in muscle resistance caused by altered neural control, which can drive deformity and affect how much force a device can safely apply.

A fixed shortening of soft tissue around a joint that limits passive motion and may require serial adjustment or sustained positioning by an orthosis.

Assessment of a patient's ability to feel light touch, pressure, or sharp stimuli, used to judge skin risk and pressure tolerance under a device.

Inspection and palpation of skin for redness, breakdown, scarring, or moisture problems at and around the intended device interface.

Evaluation of circulation, such as pulses, skin color, temperature, and capillary refill, to identify limbs at risk from sustained pressure or compression.

Observation and measurement of how a patient performs daily tasks such as walking, transfers, and self-care, used to set realistic device goals.

Systematic observation of walking, including timing, alignment, and symmetry, to identify deviations that an orthosis is meant to address.

Recording of body dimensions such as limb length, circumference, and width, used to size and shape a device to the individual patient.

A condition or circumstance in which a particular orthotic design or material should not be used because the risk outweighs the expected benefit.

A condition that does not forbid an orthotic intervention outright but requires modified design, extra monitoring, or altered wear schedule to reduce risk.

A specific, measurable outcome the orthosis is intended to help achieve, such as reducing pain, preventing deformity, or improving walking ability.

The written order specifying device type, design features, materials, and wear schedule, based on the assessment and agreed treatment goals.

The documented reasoning that links each chosen device feature to the patient's findings and goals, supporting defensible clinical decisions.

A prefabricated device made in standard sizes and fitted with limited adjustment, appropriate when the patient's needs fall within its design limits.

A device fabricated from a patient-specific model or scan and modified to address individual alignment, shape, and functional requirements.

A mold taken of a body segment that captures its shape as a hollow impression, later filled to create a positive model for fabrication.

A solid replica of a body segment produced from a negative cast or scan, which is then modified to build the orthosis over it.

Deliberate alteration of a model or device, such as adding reliefs or changing contours, to improve fit, load distribution, or control.

The boundary edge of an orthosis, whose height and contour determine where pressure falls and how much motion is permitted.

The spatial relationship of device components and the limb they support, set to place joints and segments in a mechanically sound position.

The amount and duration of force a patient's tissues can withstand at the device interface without injury or unacceptable discomfort.

The process of putting a device on and taking it off correctly, taught to the patient so the orthosis sits in the intended position each time.

A written plan for how long and how often the orthosis is worn, often built up gradually to let skin and tissue adapt.

Damage to the skin from friction, shear, or sustained pressure under a device, which requires prompt device adjustment and possibly suspension of wear.

A standardized tool or metric used before and after intervention to show whether the orthosis produced the intended functional or symptom change.

A scheduled re-evaluation to check fit, skin condition, function, and progress toward goals, and to adjust the device or plan as needed.

Teaching the patient and caregivers about device purpose, proper use, care, warning signs, and when to contact the clinic, documented in the record.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a proposed intervention after receiving understandable information about benefits, risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse.

The range of duties and services a clinician is legally and professionally permitted to perform based on training, licensure, and applicable regulation.

Directing a patient to another qualified professional when the presenting problem falls outside the clinician's competence or legal authority.

A situation where a personal or financial interest could improperly influence professional judgment, which must be disclosed and managed or avoided.

The complete, accurate, and timely written record of assessment, plan, device provided, education given, and follow-up, serving clinical and legal purposes.

A standardized worksheet on which patient dimensions, device specifications, and fabrication details are recorded to guide and verify production.