Prosthetics & Orthotics

Prosthetics and Orthotics is the horizon of modern treatment and rehabilitative modality that deals with the orthopaedic disorders and insufficiencies including congenital loses and accidental or traumatic amputations. It returns the handicapped individual from his own world of darkness of sufferings to the real world as an able individual capable to serve the society and thus reachieve the dignity, esteem and self-sufficiency. It enables the individual, once again, to view the world as it is. The person watches the birds that fly by, feels the gentle bridge that flows without concentrating only on the step ahead and the pains.

Prosthetics implies the science dealing with artificial replacement of lost body part either congenitally or due to amputation which includes total limbs, figures, partial hand, partial foot, eyes, nose, ear, breast, etc.

Orthotics implies the science dealing with mechanical correction of orthopaedic deformities, realignment, redirection of lines of force action in the body, support of weak parts, prevention of unwanted movement, relieving weight bearing of certain body parts, etc.

The discipline of Prosthetics and Orthotics is indispensable in the field of modern treatment without which the total rehabilitation of the Persons with Disabilities is incomplete.

Objectives :

• To develop manpower in the field of Disability rehabilitation by undertaking long term program of one year CPO course and short term courses for qualified professionals and other health and rehabilitation personels.

• Evaluate, assess, plan and execute prosthetic and orthotic treatment to patients attending the department.

• To offer education, training, work-adjustment and such other rehabilitation services as the society may deem fit to disabled persons with associated problems.

• To undertake Research and Developmental activities.

• To organize camps to serve the patients living in the interior part of the country.

• Providing cosmetic restorative prostheses.

ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT :

1. Academic activity

2. Clinical Services

3. Outreach Services

1. Academic Activity :

Long-term courses :

• Certificate course in Prosthetics & Orhtotics (CPO) of one year duration with intake capacity of 25 candidates. The minimum educational qualification for the entry is 50% marks at 10th and ITI or with 2 year experience in working as Bench worker under supervision of a qualified P&O professional.

Short term courses :

Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics conducts short orientation courses (CRE) for qualified Prosthetic & Orthotic professionals of the country producing up gradations.

Job of a Prosthetist and Orthotist :

Prosthetist and Orthotist are those who are qualified at the professional level after the completion of RCI recognized 4 ½ years of bachelor degree course and registered. Prosthetist and Orthotist work with persons with orhtopaedic disability like post polio residual phase, paraplegia, tetraplegia, fracture, scoliosis, neck fracture, CTEV, flat foot, arthritis, congenital deficiencies, etc and with amputees. The P&O professionals provide supportive or corrective or restrictive or realigning or protective devices to the individuals with orthopaedic deformities as per the case may be and also provide artificial substitution to missing body parts externally which includes prosthetic limbs and cosmetic fingers, foot, nose, eye, ear, breast, face, etc and also train the patients how to use the prosthetic or orthotic device to get the full benefit out of it. The proper use of these devices brings the individual out of handicapcy and transforms him/her into someone who is no more dependent on others rather can serve the society.

2. Clinical Prosthetic and Orthotic Services :

The department of Prosthetics and Orthotics renders services to both out and in patients. Patients are allotted to professionals who evaluate, assess and figure out the treatment modality and execute the prosthetic or orthotic rehabilitation. It includes :

• Assessment

• Evaluation

• Planning

• Fabrication

• Trial and checking

• Final finishing

• Patient Training

• Follow up

3. Outreach Services

The Outreach section conducts camps in the interior parts of the country to provide aids and appliances to the economically backward section of the society who are unable to come to get their required appliances. These activities are meant for wide spread distribution of the rehabilitative service in the field of P&O right among the Indian mass.