Dear Chris and Friends,
> There is no such thing as an Orthotic
THAT’S RIGHT!
My ravings on this subject are not new to long-time list subscribers.
“Orthotic” is an adjective, as: “A dorsiflexion-assist AFO is
appropriate orthotic treatment for paralytic equinus.”
“Orthosis” is a noun, “orthoses” is a plural noun, as:
> I am an Orthotist, who works in the field of orthotics. On a
> daily basisI prescribe & supply orthoses (singular, orthosis)
> As far as I know I’ve never manage to fit an Orthotic?????
And further Chris says
> I’ll check with my flatmate if he has ever prescribe a Prosthetic,
> but I think not.
And this word I have heard, too. In clinics, by physicians.
By PT’s, by patients.
> Can anybody tell me who the hell decided to call an Orthosis
> an Orthotic.
My first encounter with this word as a noun was to describe the
Nyloplex plastic FO’s with heel (and maybe forefoot) posting as
made specifically by Podiatrists. I don’t know if they invented
the usage, or whether it was created from lack of familiarity
with the word or to coin a “new” term to distinguish their item
from FO’s, UCB’s, arch supports and the like. I’d be interested
to know if anyone has a definitive answer to this question,
in the same manner that I am interested to learn the location and
circumstances of the first outbreak of an epidemic.
> So please, please all of you in America land speak English!!!!!!
I am naturally uncomfortable railing about the proper use of this
or that word as this is sometimes the posture of fuddy-duddies,
and I would not like to be considered one of these. But, by crackie,
I would like to see the product I spend a fair amount of my
professional life fitting named correctly! And if we do not gently
the correct the misuse of the term, who will?
I am very aware that English (or any other language) is owned by
those who speak it, and not by orthotists. “Orthotic” already IS
a noun by its common use as such, and this battle is already lost.
“Prosthetic” will, I fear, be right on its heels. I will just stick
to correct use myself, use the terms correctly with my patients and
colleagues, and occasionally complain like an old guard fuddy-duddie
to a list of friends when the subject comes up.
All contrary opinions will be patiently respected…
Daniel Watkins, CPO
Fitter of Prostheses and Orthoses
