Orthotist & Prosthetist

An orthotist is a healthcare provider who specializes in making and fitting you for orthotics, medical devices that support your body. Healthcare providers sometimes call these devices orthoses.

An orthotist can design custom:

• Braces
• Splints
• Shoe inserts

What conditions does an orthotist treat?

You might visit an orthotist while you recover from an injury. Or for help managing a physical disability. They’ll help you get the devices you need to feel safe, stable and confident.

Orthotists can help manage:

• Injuries: You might need an orthotic while you recover from an injury like a broken bone or sprain.
• Skeletal issues: These are conditions that affect your body’s natural shape. They can include scoliosis, hip dysplasia, flat feet or clubfoot.
• Neuromuscular conditions: These result from issues with your nerves, muscles or how they communicate with each other. Examples include cerebral palsy and strokes.
• Chronic pain: This is any type of long-term pain. Arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or a chronic wound can cause it.

A prosthetist is a healthcare provider who makes and fits you for prosthetics that replace missing body parts. Healthcare providers also call these devices prostheses. Prosthetists design custom:

• Arms
• Legs
• Hands and fingers
• Feet and toes

They’ll work with you to design a prosthesis that fits your body. They may be able to customize how it looks to match your skin tone or personal style. They’ll also adjust it and repair it as needed.

What conditions does a prosthetist treat?

Prosthetists can help treat limb loss or natural limb differences. You might see a prosthetist if you were born with an issue that affects how one or more of your body parts develop. It’s common to work with a prosthetist after an amputation.

There’s a lot of overlap between orthotists and prosthetists. Some providers are both at the same time. Others choose to specialize as one or the other.

The main difference is the kinds of issues they help manage. Orthotists create tools that help you sit, stand or move more comfortably and safely. Prosthetists create devices to replace missing or unusually formed body parts.

Do orthotists and prosthetists go to medical school?

No, they don’t go to medical school. They’re both a type of healthcare provider called allied health professionals. They offer a special service that works alongside other types of care.

Orthotists and prosthetists have their own education and residency requirements. They earn a master’s degree in orthotics and/or prosthetics. They study lots of kinds of sciences. Some, like anatomy and pathology, are common for healthcare providers. But they also study some engineering and design. These help them build the customized devices that fit your body.

Are orthotists and prosthetists clinicians?

Yes, they are. “Clinician” is just another word for healthcare provider. Whatever you call them, your orthotist or prosthetist will make sure you get the help you need. They’ll take measurements or make impressions of your body to design custom devices. They’ll make sure your devices are made right and fit your body correctly. They’ll also show you how to use them.

You might work with an orthotist temporarily. But you may visit them throughout your life to help you manage certain conditions. You’ll probably visit a prosthetist every so often for the rest of your life if you use a prosthesis.