ORTHOPROSTHESIS: MAIN NOTIONS AND MAKING

The orthoprosthesis is an external device with the purpose of modifying structural and functional conditions of the skeleton or the neuromuscular system replacing partially or totally part of the missing or inadequate member.

The orthoprosthesis combines the prosthetic function with the orthesic one. The prosthetic function balances the length deficit of the lower member offsetting in an aesthetics way the structure malformation or injured and normalizing the walking. The orthesic function is based on supporting and guiding the articulation of the knee. They are orthesis which allow the wandering around having the intention of resting and aiming at walking by the somatic pondered discharge and the motorization of the malformed member. The final aim of the orthoprosthesis is to restore the deficiencies achieving a normal development of sociolabor relations.

The orthoprosthesis is suitable in next cases:

−     Congenital malformations: shortening of the extremity, inadequate or missing musculature, bad lined up extremity, unstable joints as well as lack of bones and intermediate joints.

−     Neuromuscular diseases: poliomyelitis, etc.

−     Deformed traumatists or with affectation of growing cartilage.

−     Systemic diseases: Odlier’s  disease, etc.

Each orthoprosthesis is made depending on the specific malformation of the patient and it must be easy  to use for him.

I have chosen for this issue the making up of an orthoprosthesis of a patient affected of a 21 cm congenital asymmetry with longitudinal fault of the tibia. We decided to change it because we noticed some functional deficits and upsets by the patient’s side.

Orthoprosthesis used during these last years.

Detail of old  orthoprosthesis.

Mold making up of lower member

The mold is made in two parts because it is a bivalva splint.

>Making up of the new orthoprosthesis. Lateral view.

Making up of the new orthoprosthesis. Frontal view.

Junction of the bivalva splint to the prosthesis of the foot by an endoskeletical structure.

Provisional test.

Provisional test. Wandering around.

Finished orthoprosthesis. Frontal view.

Finished orthoprosthesis. Subsequent view

Finished orthoprosthesis. Lateral view.

Finished dorsal splint. Lateral view.

Finished dorsal splint. Internal view.

Finished orthoprosthesis. Definitive test.

Finished orthoprosthesis. Seated positioning.

Wandering around with finished orthoprosthesis.

Wandering around with finished orthoprosthesis.