Orthotics and Prosthetics for Physiotherapists Course

Lesson 1 • Terminology and Scope of Practice

Defines orthotic and prosthetic terminology and clarifies the physiotherapist's collaborative role. Builds shared language essential for interdisciplinary communication throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Gait Cycle and Functional Demands

Analyzes normal gait phases and the functional demands placed on orthotic and prosthetic devices. Establishes the movement baseline used in all subsequent gait assessment chapters.

Lesson 3 • Biomechanical Principles in O&P

Introduces force systems, moments, and three-point pressure concepts applied to device design. Provides the mechanical reasoning behind orthotic and prosthetic alignment decisions.

Lesson 4 • Relevant Musculoskeletal Anatomy Review

Reviews bony landmarks, joint mechanics, and soft-tissue structures critical for device fitting. Directly informs later assessment and alignment chapters.

Lesson 1 • Neurological and Sensory Assessment

Evaluates sensation, proprioception, and motor control relevant to safe device use. Guides selection of interface materials and feedback mechanisms in device design.

Lesson 2 • Functional and Activity-Level Assessment

Quantifies patient mobility, strength, and activity goals using validated outcome measures. Links functional level to appropriate device category and component selection.

Lesson 3 • Psychosocial and Environmental Factors

Assesses motivation, body image, home environment, and social support influencing device adoption. Integrates biopsychosocial data into a holistic prescription recommendation.

Lesson 4 • Medical History and Comorbidity Screening

Identifies conditions affecting device tolerance, including vascular, neurological, and metabolic factors. Ensures safe prescription by flagging contraindications early in the assessment process.

Lesson 1 • Knee Orthoses and KAFOs

Reviews unloader, functional, and rehabilitative knee orthoses alongside knee-ankle-foot orthoses. Links joint instability patterns and muscle weakness to appropriate device selection.

Lesson 2 • Foot Orthoses and Insoles

Examines prefabricated and custom foot orthoses for pressure redistribution and alignment correction. Connects plantar mechanics to clinical indications such as pes planus and diabetic foot.

Lesson 3 • Ankle-Foot Orthoses

Details AFO designs, including solid, hinged, and dynamic types, with their biomechanical effects. Prepares clinicians to match AFO design to specific neurological and musculoskeletal conditions.

Lesson 4 • Hip and Spinal Orthoses

Covers hip abduction orthoses, lumbosacral supports, and thoracolumbosacral orthoses and their clinical roles. Addresses postoperative and deformity-management applications relevant to physiotherapy practice.

Lesson 1 • Functional and Assistive Upper Limb Devices

Introduces tenodesis splints, mobile arm supports, and assistive orthotic devices for high-level spinal cord injury. Expands the physiotherapist's toolkit for maximizing upper limb function in complex cases.

Lesson 2 • Shoulder and Arm Supports

Examines slings, shoulder orthoses, and arm supports for subluxation, fracture, and nerve injury management. Links glenohumeral stability requirements to device selection and wearing schedules.

Lesson 3 • Upper Limb Orthotic Checkout and Training

Establishes checkout criteria and a structured training protocol for upper limb orthotic devices. Ensures safe device use, skin integrity, and functional carryover into daily activities.

Lesson 4 • Elbow and Forearm Orthoses

Reviews static progressive, hinged, and anti-spasticity elbow orthoses and their therapeutic rationale. Prepares clinicians to manage contracture prevention and post-surgical elbow rehabilitation.

Lesson 1 • Prosthetic Socket Design and Suspension

Explains total surface bearing, patella tendon bearing, and ischial containment socket designs with suspension options. Provides the foundation for evaluating socket fit and suspension adequacy during checkout.

Lesson 2 • Prosthetic Checkout and Alignment Principles

Establishes bench and dynamic alignment assessment procedures for lower limb prostheses. Equips physiotherapists to identify malalignment contributing to gait deviations and skin breakdown.

Lesson 3 • Transfemoral Prosthetic Knee Components

Covers mechanical, polycentric, hydraulic, and microprocessor knee units and their biomechanical characteristics. Prepares physiotherapists to assess knee component suitability and gait deviations related to knee function.

Lesson 4 • Prosthetic Feet and Ankle Components

Surveys SACH, single-axis, energy-storing, and microprocessor ankle-foot components and their activity indications. Enables clinicians to evaluate component appropriateness relative to patient functional level.

Lesson 1 • Advanced Mobility and Community Reintegration

Trains patients in stairs, ramps, curbs, uneven terrain, and fall recovery for community independence. Prepares physiotherapists to design activity-specific programs aligned with vocational and recreational goals.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Prosthetic Rehabilitation

Addresses residual limb conditioning, edema management, and strengthening before prosthetic fitting. Optimizes the patient's physical readiness to reduce time to successful prosthetic use.

Lesson 3 • Gait Training for Transfemoral Amputees

Covers hip extension control, prosthetic knee management, and energy-efficient gait for transfemoral users. Addresses the higher physical demands and unique gait deviations at this amputation level.

Lesson 4 • Initial Prosthetic Donning and Weight-Bearing

Guides the first prosthetic fitting session, including donning technique, initial weight-bearing, and skin monitoring. Establishes safe progression criteria from parallel bars to independent ambulation.

Lesson 1 • Prosthetic Hand and Terminal Device Training

Develops structured training progressions for prehension patterns, object manipulation, and bimanual tasks. Bridges device control skills to meaningful occupational and daily living performance.

Lesson 2 • Myoelectric and Externally Powered Prostheses

Covers electrode placement, signal acquisition, and control strategies for myoelectric prosthetic systems. Enables physiotherapists to support electrode site training and troubleshoot control issues.

Lesson 3 • Residual Limb Care and Long-Term Management

Addresses skin hygiene, socket fit monitoring, and volume fluctuation management for upper limb prosthetic users. Establishes a long-term follow-up framework to maintain function and prevent complications.

Lesson 4 • Upper Limb Amputation Levels and Candidacy

Reviews partial hand to shoulder disarticulation levels and factors influencing prosthetic candidacy. Connects amputation level and patient goals to realistic prosthetic outcome expectations.

Lesson 1 • Neurological Conditions and O&P

Focuses on O&P management for stroke, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis with tone and motor control challenges. Integrates neuroplasticity principles into device-assisted rehabilitation planning.

Lesson 2 • Geriatric Considerations in O&P

Addresses age-related changes in skin, bone density, cognition, and balance affecting device prescription and training. Adapts rehabilitation protocols to maximize safety and independence in older adults.

Lesson 3 • Dysvascular and Diabetic Limb Management

Addresses protective footwear, offloading orthoses, and prosthetic rehabilitation for dysvascular and diabetic patients. Emphasizes wound prevention, skin surveillance, and multidisciplinary team coordination.

Lesson 4 • Pediatric Prosthetic Rehabilitation

Presents developmental milestones guiding prosthetic fitting timing and training for children with limb differences. Emphasizes play-based training and school reintegration as primary functional outcomes.