Prosthetics and Orthotics.

This book was developed from teaching notes for physical therapy students. Designed to provide an overview, the book has 11 chapters that cover adult and juvenile prosthetics and orthotics.

In the introductory chapter, the authors provide a brief history of the development of prosthetics, some etiological data based on a 1975 study of amputees, and some general concepts describing the typical amputation case. The orthotic overview focuses on nomenclature. In the second chapter the authors describe the basic materials used in the fabrication of prostheses and orthoses; in the third chapter they describe the basic biomechanical factors involved in normal, prosthetic, and orthotic gaits. Chapters 4, 5, and 6 cover amputations below the knee, above the knee, and through the pelvis; all three of these chapters include information on preprosthetic management, prosthetic components, and alignment considerations. Chapter 7 is devoted to lower-extremity orthotics, including types of orthoses and their uses. Chapter 8 focuses on upper-extremity prosthetics, including components, harnessing, and management. In chapter 9 the authors outline upper-extremity hand splints, in chapter 10 they present information on the classification system and components used with juvenile amputees, and in chapter 11 they discuss spinal orthotics.

The book focuses on the materials and components used in prosthetic and orthotic replacement, but some of the modern components--such as energy-conserving prosthetic feet, different above-knee socket designs, and externally powered prostheses and orthoses--are either mentioned briefly or overlooked. Although the book was created for physical therapy students, the sections on patient management are quite brief and limited, particularly as related to patient assessment. There is no information on preprosthetic exercises per se or on gait training. The book is clearly written and fairly well-illustrated. The references at the end of each chapter are not as up to date as might be desired. The limited scope and narrow focus limit the book's value as a text for physical therapy or physical therapist assistant students and as a reference for practitioners. There are other publications in the field that fulfill both purposes more effectively.