Difference Between Orthosis and Prosthesis

The key difference between orthosis and prosthesis is that orthosis is an assisting device used to correct or enhance a part of the body while the prosthesis is a replacing device used to replace a missing body part, especially a limb.

Some people may have difficulty using their arms or legs due to deficiencies or deformities in their body. Orthosis and prosthesis are two types of devices that help with such kind of problems. Orthosis is a device used to correct or enhance the use of a part of your body. However, it does not replace a part of the body, like prosthesis.  This is the key factor that differentiates orthosis from the prosthesis. In brief, the orthosis is an assisting device, while the prosthesis is a replacement device.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Orthosis
3. What is Prosthesis
4. Similarities Between Orthosis and Prosthesis
5. Side by Side Comparison – Orthosis vs Prosthesis in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Orthosis?

Orthosis is a device that helps to correct or enhance the use of part of the body. It is important to remember that orthoses do not replace a part of your body. Orthoses support problems of skeletal, muscle or nervous system.

Orthoses can be belts and braces. They mainly prevent further injuries and support movements. Moreover, orthoses reduce pain and increase mobility. The orthosis is ideal in assisting the rehabilitation of a limb. Some orthotic conditions correct themselves without treatments. But in most cases, orthotics treat patients to correct defects.

What is Prosthesis?

Prosthesis is an artificial device that replaces a limb of a person’s body. Hence, the prosthesis can be an artificial limb or custom made prosthesis. They can be made by hand or using computer-aided systems. When creating prosthesis, there are several factors to be considered, especially the patient’s specific lifestyle. Cosmetic prostheses are made from a clear silicone glove matching perfectly with the person’s existing skin tone, body hair, freckles, and tattoos, etc.

People may lose their limbs due to birth defects or through trauma or as a result of complications from a disease such as diabetes. Prostheses are not only used for limbs, but they can also be used to replace knee, wrist, elbow, or even the joints of individual fingers.

What are the Similarities Between Orthosis and Prosthesis?

• Orthosis and prosthesis are two mechanical devices.
• Both are often prescribed to patients who suffer from similar conditions.

What is the Difference Between Orthosis and Prosthesis?

Orthosis is a device that corrects or enhances the use of part of the body. In contrast, the prosthesis is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part. Therefore, an orthosis is an assisting device, while the prosthesis is a replacing device. So, this is the key difference between orthosis and prosthesis.

Moreover, orthoses are used temporary while prostheses are used permanently. Orthotics use belts and braces to correct and support malignancies and defects while prosthetics make use of artificial limbs or custom made prostheses. Orthosis, especially, corrects or enhances the use of part of the body while prosthesis restores the normal functions of the missing body part.

Below infographic summarizes the difference between orthosis and prosthesis.

Summary – Orthosis vs Prosthesis

Orthosis and prosthesis are two devices that help people who have difficulty using their arms or legs due to deficiencies or deformities in a person’s body. However, orthosis does not replace a body part while prosthesis replaces a missing body part. So, this is the key difference between orthosis and prosthesis. Specifically, the orthosis is used to correct or enhance the use of part of your body. It provides comfort and healing to the deformed body part by reducing shock, and decrease inflammation and swelling. On the other hand, prosthesis replaces the missing body part and restores the normal functions of the particular body part.

Reference:

1. “About Orthoses And Prostheses – The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Ltd. (AOPA)”. Aopa.Org.Au, 2020, Available here.
2. “Prosthesis”. En.Wikipedia.Org, 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Ankle foot orthosis splint” By Pagemaker787 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “86 ACPS Atlanta 1996 Swimming General Views” By Australian Paralympic Committee (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia