Orthoses glossary
Definitions for frequently used terms related to orthoses are provided below to assist prescribers. The list includes:
General terms
Orthosis: Singular term
Orthoses: Plural term
Orthotic/s: Alternative term to orthosis/orthoses
Unilateral: Left or right (one side only)
Bilateral: Both left and right
ROM: Range of motion
Orthoses classifications/types
Lower limb
FO (UCBL-moulded): Foot Orthotics (also known as orthotics or arch supports). Incorporates part of or the full length of the foot. Should not pass over the ankle joint or control normal ankle joint function.
SUBMALO: Sub Malleolar Orthosis (below ankle)
SUPRAMALO: Supra Malleolar Orthosis (above ankle)
AFO (Crow, Bi valve, FB AFO, Inhibitory boot): Ankle Foot Orthosis. Incorporates part of or the full length of the foot, passes over the ankle joint and ends below the knee joint. It should not affect normal knee function. All similar in manufacturing, all are moulded. Has a front and back moulded shell, with or without rocker sole. Can be made from plastics eg. polypropylene, carbon fibre, laminated, combination of materials, EVA or cork for rocker sole, sole material for walking on, lined or padded and attachment straps.
KO: Knee Orthoses. Incorporates the knee joint but does not cross the hip or ankle joint. Custom moulded or off the shelf, jointed or non-jointed. Materials used are metal/ aluminium uprights, free motion joints, range of motion control joints or drop lock knee joints.
KAFO (AK caliper): Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses. Incorporates part of or the full length of the foot, passes over the ankle and knee joints but does not involve the hip joint. Fully or partly moulded, in or external shoe fit, metal upright with metal bands, jointed or non-jointed at ankle and or knee. Materials used are metal/ aluminium uprights, free motion joints, range of motion control joints, drop lock knee joints, posterior bar release knee joints, free motion knee joints, anterior release knee joints, stance phase knee joints and polycentric knee joints.
HKAFO: Hip Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses. Incorporates part of or the full length of the foot, passes over the ankle, knee and hip joint but should not reduce movement of the spine. Materials used are metal/ aluminium uprights, free motion hip joint, drop lock hip joint and pelvic band.
Spinal
LSO: Lumbo-Sacral Orthoses
TLSO: Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthoses
CTLSO: Cervico-Lumbo-Sacral Orthoses
Descriptors
Fixed / Solid / Rigid: Used to describe an Orthoses that does not move or bend at an anatomical human joint
Articulated / Hinged / Jointed: Used to describe an Orthoses that moves or bends at an anatomical human joint
Full Length / 3/4 Length: Used when referring to the design length of a Foot Orthoses
Sole: Orthosis has the addition of a sole (made from EVA and TOPY) eg. standing, walking or rocker sole.
Tongue / Shell: Refers to the addition of a rigid material, usually to the front of an orthosis to create circumferential contact (eg. an internal or exterior anterior tongue/shell to an AFO creates a bi-valved AFO)
Materials
Plastic: General term for thermoplastic material eg. Polypropylene (PP)
Carbon Fibre/Fiber: A light-weight, but strong material generally used in laminated Orthoses
Laminated / Composite: An alternative to plastic. A material generally constructed of resin, carbon fibre and other fibrous material to create a light-weight, strong and dynamic Orthosis.
Metal/ Iron: Stainless steel or aluminium are examples of metals used in Orthoses (eg. metal uprights of a caliper)
Padding / Padded: A term used when a soft interface is added to a particular area (eg. padded ankle bones)
Lining / Lined: A term used when an entire Orthosis is covered/lined in a soft interface (eg. Lined AFO)
Joints: Joints allow an Orthosis to articulate (move) at an anatomical human joint (examples of joints include tamarack, double axis, polycentric, posterior offset, ultra flex, drop lock)
Orthoses styles
Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO)
GRAFO / GAFO (Moulded Rigid Posterior shell AFO, full length sole or ¾ length sole, non-jointed): Ground Reaction Ankle Foot Orthosis. Can be articulated or solid, lined or padded, with or without sole. Can be made from plastics eg. polypropylene, carbon fibre, laminated, combination of materials, EVA or cork for rocker sole, sole material for walking on, lined or padded and attachment straps.
GRAFO / GAFO (Moulded Jointed AFO, full length sole or ¾ length sole, dynamic AFO): Ground Reaction Ankle Foot Orthosis. Free motion joints, Dorsiflex assist joints, Dorsi/plantar assist joints and plantar stop posterior. Can be made from plastics eg. polypropylene, carbon fibre, laminated, combination of materials, EVA or cork for rocker sole, sole material for walking on, lined or padded and attachment straps.
DAFO: Dynamic Ankle Foot Orthosis. Can be articulated or solid, lined or padded, with or without sole.
CFAFO: Carbon Fibre/Fiber Ankle Foot Orthosis. Can be articulated or solid, lined or padded, with or without sole.
CROW AFO (bi-valved): Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker Ankle Foot Orthosis. Solid ankle. Front external tongue. Lined or padded with sole.
RWRAP AFO (bi-valved): R-Wrap Ankle Foot Orthosis. Solid ankle. Padded. With or without sole.
FB AFO (bi-valved): Front / Back Ankle Foot Orthosis. Solid ankle. Lined or padded. With or without sole.
BK Leg Iron / BK Caliper: Traditional Metal Below Knee (BK) Caliper / Leg Iron. Can be single or double metal uprights. Can be articulated or solid. With or without T-Strap. Can have a round tube or square feral attachment to shoe. Can be made from steel uprights, aluminium uprights, free motion joints, doriflex assist ankle joints, dorsi/plantar assist ankle joints, t-strap, cross straps, moulded plastic in-shoe shell and leather covering.
Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses (KAFO)
Stance Control KAFO: Style of KAFO providing stance phase stability (weight bearing) and swing phase (as above for BK Iron)
Long Leg Caliper / AK Caliper: Traditional Metal Above Knee (AK) Caliper. As above for BK Leg Iron.
