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Prosthetics & Orthotics Exam 1 Questions
and Answers
Orthosis vs Orthotic
Ans: The word *"orthotic"* is an adjective and is used to modify another
word, as in "orthotic device" or "orthotic technology".
The word "*orthosis"* (plural is "orthoses") is a noun so it can stand
alone or it may have a modifier before it, such as "foot orthosis" or
"bilateral wrist orthoses".
What is an Orthotist?
Ans: someone who designs, fabricates and fits orthoses for the limbs
and trunk
Orthotists and Prosthetists should be Certified by the American Board
for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics.
Prosthesis vs Prosthetic
Ans: A prosthesis is a man-made substitute for a missing body part
Prosthesis (noun)
Prosthetic (adjective)
What is a Prosthetist?
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Ans: Specializes in designing,preparing and fitting prosthetic devices
such as artificial limbs
Orthotists and Prosthetists should be Certified by the American Board
for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics.
What do the following abbreviations stand for:
CO =
CP =
CPO =
Certified Pedorthotist =
Ans: CO = certified orthotist
CP = certifired prosthetist
CPO = certified prosthetist & orthotist
Certified Pedorthotist - foot orthotics (foot insoles only)
What is the new term used for the following "old term"?
1. Brace =
2. Stump =
3. Shoe Insert =
4. Short leg brace =
5. long leg brace =
6. long leg brace w/hip band =
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Ans: 1. Brace = *orthosis*
2. Stump = *Residual limb*
3. Shoe Insert = *foot orthosis*
4. Short leg brace = *Ankle/foot orthosis (AKO)*
5. long leg brace = *Knee/ankle/foot orthosis (KAFO)*
6. long leg brace w/hip band = *hip/Knee/ankle/foot orthosis (HKAFO)*
Static vs Dynamic Orthotics
Ans: Static:
- holds in fixed position
- blocks motion
- used with tone, clinus, post-op, trauma
(EX: resting hand splint, block motion (like a s/p ACL surgery))
Dynamic:
- allows movement
- assists in functioning muscles
- can stop motion in one direction and assist in opposing direction
(EX: foot drop... assist DF during open gait swing)
Who is at the center of the clinic team?
Ans: the patient (and parent if minor)
What is the primary goal of gait?
Ans: *Energy Efficiency* in *forward progression* using a *stable kinetic
chain* of joints and limb segments *working congruently* to transport
its passenger unit (the head, arms and trunk)
Is there such thing as overbracing?
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Ans: yes
What is pathological gait?
Ans: The patient is walking with an abnormal gait pattern due to an
impairment
This gait requires a lot of energy
With the use of a orthosis or prosthesis, what does pathological
gait turn into?
Ans: Optimal gait
we want to take the pathological gait that is requiring a lot of energy
expenditure and make it as close as possible to the normal gait
T/F: with a patient wearing an orthosis or prosthesis they will be
considered to have a normal gait
Ans: FALSE
- they will never have a 100% normal gait
- we want to achieve optimal gait that requires the least amount of
energy expenditure
T/F: the higher up the orthosis or prosthesis the farther away
from normal gait the patient is getting
Ans: true
Where is the COM in the human body?
Ans: The pelvis (anterior to S2)
Define Step Length
Ans: distance measured between right heel strike and left heel strike
Define Step Width
© 2025 All rights reserved
Prosthetics & Orthotics Exam 1 Questions
and Answers
Orthosis vs Orthotic
Ans: The word *"orthotic"* is an adjective and is used to modify another
word, as in "orthotic device" or "orthotic technology".
The word "*orthosis"* (plural is "orthoses") is a noun so it can stand
alone or it may have a modifier before it, such as "foot orthosis" or
"bilateral wrist orthoses".
What is an Orthotist?
Ans: someone who designs, fabricates and fits orthoses for the limbs
and trunk
Orthotists and Prosthetists should be Certified by the American Board
for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics.
Prosthesis vs Prosthetic
Ans: A prosthesis is a man-made substitute for a missing body part
Prosthesis (noun)
Prosthetic (adjective)
What is a Prosthetist?
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Ans: Specializes in designing,preparing and fitting prosthetic devices
such as artificial limbs
Orthotists and Prosthetists should be Certified by the American Board
for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics.
What do the following abbreviations stand for:
CO =
CP =
CPO =
Certified Pedorthotist =
Ans: CO = certified orthotist
CP = certifired prosthetist
CPO = certified prosthetist & orthotist
Certified Pedorthotist - foot orthotics (foot insoles only)
What is the new term used for the following "old term"?
1. Brace =
2. Stump =
3. Shoe Insert =
4. Short leg brace =
5. long leg brace =
6. long leg brace w/hip band =
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Ans: 1. Brace = *orthosis*
2. Stump = *Residual limb*
3. Shoe Insert = *foot orthosis*
4. Short leg brace = *Ankle/foot orthosis (AKO)*
5. long leg brace = *Knee/ankle/foot orthosis (KAFO)*
6. long leg brace w/hip band = *hip/Knee/ankle/foot orthosis (HKAFO)*
Static vs Dynamic Orthotics
Ans: Static:
- holds in fixed position
- blocks motion
- used with tone, clinus, post-op, trauma
(EX: resting hand splint, block motion (like a s/p ACL surgery))
Dynamic:
- allows movement
- assists in functioning muscles
- can stop motion in one direction and assist in opposing direction
(EX: foot drop... assist DF during open gait swing)
Who is at the center of the clinic team?
Ans: the patient (and parent if minor)
What is the primary goal of gait?
Ans: *Energy Efficiency* in *forward progression* using a *stable kinetic
chain* of joints and limb segments *working congruently* to transport
its passenger unit (the head, arms and trunk)
Is there such thing as overbracing?
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
Ans: yes
What is pathological gait?
Ans: The patient is walking with an abnormal gait pattern due to an
impairment
This gait requires a lot of energy
With the use of a orthosis or prosthesis, what does pathological
gait turn into?
Ans: Optimal gait
we want to take the pathological gait that is requiring a lot of energy
expenditure and make it as close as possible to the normal gait
T/F: with a patient wearing an orthosis or prosthesis they will be
considered to have a normal gait
Ans: FALSE
- they will never have a 100% normal gait
- we want to achieve optimal gait that requires the least amount of
energy expenditure
T/F: the higher up the orthosis or prosthesis the farther away
from normal gait the patient is getting
Ans: true
Where is the COM in the human body?
Ans: The pelvis (anterior to S2)
Define Step Length
Ans: distance measured between right heel strike and left heel strike
Define Step Width
© 2025 All rights reserved
