OPC Prosthetics Written flashcards
OPC Prosthetics Written · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- K-level 0
- The patient has no ability or potential to ambulate or transfer safely with or without assistance, and a prosthesis does not enhance mobility or quality of life.
- K-level 3
- The patient has the ability or potential for ambulation with variable cadence and can traverse most environmental barriers, typical of a community ambulator.
- Patellar tendon-bearing socket
- A transtibial socket design that loads the patellar tendon and popliteal area while relieving pressure over the tibial crest and fibular head.
- Ischial containment socket
- A transfemoral socket design that encloses the ischial tuberosity and medial ramus, improving coronal plane stability and lateral control compared with quadrilateral designs.
- Check socket
- A temporary transparent test socket used to verify fit, total contact, suspension, and alignment before fabricating the definitive prosthesis.
- SACH foot
- A solid-ankle cushioned-heel foot with a rigid keel and compressible heel wedge, commonly prescribed for K1 and K2 ambulators.
- Energy-storing foot
- A prosthetic foot that stores and returns energy during gait, typically prescribed for K3 and K4 users with higher activity demands.
- Stance-control knee
- A prosthetic knee that resists flexion during stance, indicated for patients with weak quadriceps or high fall risk.
- Ankle-brachial index
- The ratio of ankle to brachial systolic pressure; a value below 0.9 suggests peripheral arterial disease and warrants vascular evaluation before fitting.
- Manual muscle test grades
- A 0 to 5 scale where 0 is no contraction, 3 is antigravity movement, and 5 is normal strength; grade 3 is often the minimum for prosthetic control.
- Thomas test
- A clinical test for hip flexion contracture in which the patient lies supine and the examiner observes whether the thigh remains elevated when the knee is flexed.
- Residual limb volume stabilization
- Limb volume typically stabilizes 12 to 18 months after amputation; interim sockets are often needed before definitive fitting.
- Pistoning
- Vertical movement of the residual limb within the socket during gait, indicating inadequate suspension or poor socket fit.
- Excessive knee flexion in stance
- A gait deviation often caused by excessive foot dorsiflexion or excessive socket flexion; addressed by alignment adjustment.
- Informed consent
- The process of disclosing material risks, benefits, and alternatives so the patient can make a voluntary decision about prosthetic care.
- Medical necessity documentation
- Records that justify prosthetic fitting through diagnosis, functional level, prescription rationale, and outcome measures to support payer coverage.
- HCPCS L-codes
- A coding system used to bill prosthetic components and services; accurate coding requires matching the code to the device provided.
- Conflict of interest
- A situation in which financial or personal interests could compromise clinical judgment; it must be disclosed and managed.
- Confidentiality
- The ethical and legal duty to protect patient health information except when disclosure is required by law or authorized by the patient.
- Scope of practice
- The range of services a prosthetist is trained and licensed to provide; care outside that range requires referral to another professional.
- Total surface bearing
- A transtibial socket design that distributes load across the entire residual limb surface rather than concentrating it on specific areas.
- Vacuum-assisted suspension
- A suspension method that maintains negative pressure within the socket to hold the limb securely and manage volume.
- Pin and lock suspension
- A transtibial suspension system in which a pin at the distal limb engages a lock in the socket, providing secure suspension and rotational control.
- Endoskeletal prosthesis
- A prosthesis built around a pylon and covered by a cosmetic shell, allowing alignment adjustment and lighter weight.
- Exoskeletal prosthesis
- A prosthesis laminated directly over the structural shell, offering durability but limited adjustability and greater weight.
- Bench alignment
- The initial static alignment of a prosthesis using reference lines and standard angles before dynamic alignment during fitting.
- Two-point discrimination
- A sensory test measuring the minimum distance at which two points are perceived as distinct; it assesses protective sensation in the residual limb.
- Berg Balance Scale
- A 14-item functional balance assessment scored 0 to 56; lower scores indicate increased fall risk and inform prosthetic candidacy.
- Six-minute walk test
- A functional outcome measure recording the distance walked in six minutes, used to track ambulatory progress after prosthetic fitting.
- Contralateral limb surveillance
- Monitoring the sound limb for overuse injury and gait asymmetry, particularly in transfemoral amputees, during follow-up care.
- HIPAA privacy rule
- Federal regulations governing the use and disclosure of protected health information in prosthetic practice settings.
- False or misleading advertising
- An ethical violation in which a prosthetist misrepresents qualifications, services, or outcomes to attract patients.