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There are many terms used in the amputee community that are confusing to recent and even veteran amputees coming on-line. Not only are some of the terms murky, but within the community there is some debate about the meaning of some terms and how they can best be used to accurately convey meaning. Prosthetists have their own language, and it is nice to have some definitions and their abbreviations when reading their prose. But beware---ambiguity abounds. Language evolves over time, as will this FAQ. The following will help serve as a foundation for those unacquainted with the terminology. The definitions have been stolen from a variety of sources. Anyone wishing to add definitions is welcome to do so. AA: above ankle (there is a long stump) LAA: left above ankle RAA: right above ankle BAA: bilateral above ankle AE: above elbow amputation (there is a long stump) LAE: left above elbow RAE: right above elbow BAE: bilateral above elbow ACA: Amputee Coalition of America AD: Ankle Disarticulation ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act AK: above knee (there is a long stump) LAK: left above knee RAK: right above knee BAK: bilateral above knee AW: above wrist (there is a long stump) LAE: left above wrist RAW: right above wrist BAW: bilateral above wrist Adherent Scar Tissue: Tissue stuck down, usually to bone BE: below elbow (there is a short stump) LBE: left below elbow RBE: right below elbow BBE: bilateral below elbow Bilateral: a double amputee, both arms or both legs BH: below hip (there is a short stump) LBH: left below hip RBH: right below hip BBH: bilateral below hip BK: below knee (there is a short stump) LBK: left below knee RBK: right below knee BBK: bilateral below knee BW: below wrist (there is a short stump) LBW: left below wrist RBW: right below wrist BBW: bilateral below wrist BS: below shoulder (there is a short stump) LBS: left below shoulder RBS: right below shoulder BBS: bilateral below shoulder Congenital: existing at birth Contralateral: opposite sides ie. a right arm and left leg Cosmesis: used to describe the outer, aesthetic covering of a prosthesis Disarticulation: an amputation through a joint commonly the hip, shoulder, knee, ankle, elbow or wrist Donning and Doffing: putting on and taking off a prosthesis ED: elbow disarticulation LED: left elbow disarticulation RED: right elbow disarticulation BED: bilateral elbow disarticulation Endoskeletal Prosthesis: one built more like a human skeleton with support and components on the inside and a cosmetic cover on the outside Exoskeletal Prosthesis: A prosthesis that is hollow on the inside with a hard outer surface to bear weight Hemipelvectomy: an amputation where approximately half of the pelvis is removed HD: Hip Disarticulation. The removal or absence of a leg at the hip. Ischial Tuberosity: the large sitting bone KD: knee disarticulation RKD: right knee disarticulation LKD: left knee disarticulation BKD: bilateral knee disarticulation Lateral: to the side, away from the mid-line of the body Medial: toward the mid-line of the body Mentor: An adult who grew up as an amputee and now serves as a friend and advisor to parents of children with similar limb differences. Having grown up with many of the same issues and concerns, they now serve as role models for the younger generation. Myoelectrics: literally muscle electronics. Technology used in prosthetic for upper-extremity amputees; used in hands and elbows to control the prosthesis via muscle contraction using electrical signals from the muscles to the prosthesis. Neuroma: the end of a nerve left after amputation. The nerve will continue to grow in a circular pattern and can be troublesome, especially when trapped in scar tissue. Partial Foot: an amputation on the front part of the foot. Posterior: the back side of the body. Preparatory Prosthesis: The stage between temporary and permanent prosthesis, using transparent diagnostic test socket and special fitting techniques to accurately fit the prosthesis so problems can be eliminated before it is cloned for the permanent prosthesis. Prosthesis: an artificial body part, in cases of an amputee, an arm or leg. Prosthetics: the systematic pursuit of providing cosmetic and/or functional restoration of missing human parts. Prosthetist: a person involved in the science and art of prosthetics; one who designs and fits artificial limbs. PFFD: Proximal Femoral Focus Deficiency Pylon: often what is referred to as a pole in a temporary leg prosthesis; the weight bearing support shaft in an endoskeletal prosthesis. Ramus: the middle portion of the pubic bone, in the crotch area. Residual Limb: a term commonly, but incorrectly, used to refer to the stump. SD: shoulder disarticulation LSD: left shoulder disarticulation RSD: right shoulder disarticulation Shrinker: a prosthetic reducer made of elastic material and designed to help control swelling of the stump. Stump: remaining portion of a limb after amputation. Supercondular Suspension: a method of holding on a prosthesis by clamping above a joint. Symes: An amputation through the ankle joint that retains the fatty heel pad portion. Temporary Prosthesis: a prosthesis made soon after an amputation as an inexpensive way to help retrain a person to walk and balance while shrinking the residual limb. WD: wrist disarticulation RWD: right wrist disarticulation LWD: left wrist disarticulation BWD: bilateral wrist disarticulation |
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