The Japanese Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics

Developing more advanced technology.
Furthering education on
The Japanese Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics

prosthetics and orthotics.

For the growth of everyone involved in
prosthetics and orthotics

History of the Society
1968 Established as the Prosthetics and Orthotics Research Circle
to the Japanese Society of Prosthetic and Orthotic Education,
1972 Renamed
Research, and Development

The Japanese Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics (JSPO) engages in education, training, and academic

the 1st Research Seminar of
1980 Heldthe Japanese Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Shuichi Kakurai)

activities aimed at contributing to the improvement of academic culture and the welfare of persons with disabilities
by implementing projects related to advancing technology and disseminating knowledge in areas such as

as an Associate Society of the Science Council of Japan
1984 Registered(13th Session)(Rehabilitation Medicine; 7th Session)

prosthetics and orthotics. The Society is also involved in disaster relief and international cooperation.

Renamed to the Japanese Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics,
with Kokichi Tsuchiya appointed as the first President

Growth & History ofProsthetics and Orthotics

1985

Prosthetic hands

In order to effectively utilize prostheses, orthotics, and assistive equipment,
it is necessary for a multidisciplinary team to correctly grasp the users’ goals

Held the 1st Scientific Meeting of the JapaneseSociety of Prosthetics and Orthotics(The meeting chair: Kazuo Tsuchiya)

and demonstrate a high level of expertise. As the only platform in Japan where related multidisciplinary specialists can study together and exchange information,
the Society will continue its activities with the goal of improving the quality of pros-

1990 Held the 6th Research

The history of prosthetic hands is closely related to warfare. Thesehands have been created to enable wounded soldiers to return to battle
or to perform social functions after returning to civilian life.

thetics and orthotics services for patients and people with disabilities.

Seminar of the JapaneseSociety of Prosthetics andOrthotics(The meeting chair: Eiji Tazawa)

Post-World War II

The late 1960s

The current active prosthetic hand system(control cable system with internal powersource) was released

A myoelectric prosthetic hand system that is currently usedbroadly overseas was developed1994

Myoelectricity (surface myoelectric potential) is a weak electric
current generated when a muscle
contracts. Myoelectric prosthetic
hands use a special electrode tocollect the myoelectricity andutilize it as switch for operating
the motor.

Held the 10th Scientific Meeting of
the Japanese Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics(The meeting chair: Shuichi Kakurai)

2013
Registered as a General Incorporated Association,with Toyoko Asami appointed as President
Held the 29th Scientific Meeting of the JapaneseSociety of Prosthetics and Orthotics(The meeting chair: Toyoko Asami)

1997

Held the 13th Scientific Meeting of
the Japanese Society of Prosthetics andOrthotics (The meeting chair: Masahiro Mikami)

2022

Held the 38th Scientific Meeting of
the Japanese Society of Prosthetics
and Orthotics(The meeting chair: Kazuhiro Sakai)

2020

2003

Held the 36th Scientific Meeting of
the Japanese Society of Prosthetics
and Orthotics(The meeting chair: Nobuhiko Haga)

Held the 19th Scientific Meeting of
the Japanese Society of Prosthetics andOrthotics (The meeting chair: Yoshiko Tobimatsu)

Prosthetic legs
Prosthetic legs have changed from a shell structure to a skeletal structure. These legs have advanced signiﬁcantly due tochanges in suspension methods and weight bearing theories, and to the development of joint control methods. Today, evenlower-limb amputees are able to perform high-intensity activities such as running and mountain climbing.
In particular, the evolution of socket theory and the high performance of parts such as joints and feet have contributed greatly to
improving the exercise and movement capabilities of amputees.
Socket design for Transfemoral Prostheses

01

1956

From 1975

1985

1991

A prototype ofa quadrilateralsocket was
brought toJapan fromoverseas

The current quadrilateralsuction socket spread inJapan

CAT-CAM socket
theory wasdeveloped overseas

Use of ischial-ramal-containment sockets (IRCsockets) spread in JapanIt became established
as a standard socket forabove-knee prosthetics
and is still widely usedclinically even today.

A socket shape that considers lateral stability which isdif ficult to achieve with aquadrilateral socket.

Socket design for Transtibial Prostheses

Prosthetic feet

1959

1980

1980

A PTB socket wasdeveloped to achieve
full-surface contact withthe stump; afterward, aPTS/KBM socket with aself-suspension function
was developed

A silicon liner system
was developed

An energy storage footwas developed

1987
A TSB socket
developed forload-bearing purposes
across the stump

A below-knee
prosthetic witha silicone liner
attached to thebelow-knee
stump.

The foot section features a leaf spring
structure for appropriately absorbing
impact from the road surface and forusing that impact as a repulsive force torecover when driving off the foot.

Lower-limb orthotics

Robotic technology

1970s

1990s

2015

Thermoplastics suchas ortholene andpolypropylene spreadin Japan, and the useof plastic ankle-footorthotics became
widespread

Plastic ankle-foot orthotics with joints adding anankle plantar dorsiflexion adjustment function toplastic ankle-foot orthotics became widespread

Manufacture and sale of rehabilitation
robots as medical equipment

Ty p i c a l p l a s t i cankle-foot orthotics with joints.

Prosthetic knee joint

1993
Computer-controlled knee
joints were developed
A computer controls theresistance of the fluid
control device. This
enables movement of
the knee joint according
to walking speed.

Wearable robots perform functional
improvement therapy for people whoc a n n o t m ove t h e i r b o d i e s a s t h ey
intend due to declining functions of
their brain, ner ves, or muscularsystems. Sensors detect weak biopotential signals and enable movement
according to the wearer’s intention.

Manufacturing technology

The late1990s
Manufacturing technology using
CAD/CAM systems for prosthetics andorthotics was developed overseas andspread in Japan in the early 2000s
The introduction of 3D digital technology has
reduced the physical burden on patients andimproved design. Furthermore, there were expectations that digital data analysis would be used tobuild evidence related to production and fitting.

02

One goal of rehabilitation is not to simply return the patient to their originalstate but to create a new life. In pursuit of that goal, a team of specialists collaborates extensively to support patients and people with disabilities.

Final decision-making on prescriptions and fitting

Myoelectric prosthetic hands

Hand with active fingers

Doctors

By diversifying grip patterns and increasing the ﬂexibility ofhand joints, it is possible to reproduce the shape and functionof the hand at a high level.

Robotic technology

Doctors are responsible for overseeing the entire team. They make ﬁnal decisions
on all processes leading up to the patientʼs return to society; for example, formulating treatment strategies, determining the appropriateness of prosthetics andorthotics, prescribing prosthetics and orthotics, and determining ﬁt.

Design and fitting (adjustment) of prosthetics and orthotics

ProsthetistsandOrthotists

Walking support robot
A rehabilitation robot was developed to resolve medical problems caused by wheelchair
life (osteoporosis, joint contracture, etc.) and to meet the needs of paraplegics who wishto stand again. The robot makes it possible for users to stand up from a wheelchair andProsthetists and Orthotists design, cast, fabricate, and ﬁt prosthetic and orthotic
devices, including the selection of materials and parts. The prosthetic and orthotic
devices are ﬁtted by daily changes in the physical and psychological condition ofpatients.

walk for long distances/times.

Physical
Therapists/
OccupationalTherapists

Robotic technology

Transfer support robot
A lateral transfer support robot that assists motor
functions for moving and transferring at home. The
robot can move forward, backward, left, and right, andthe seat can be raised and lowered via a motor. Compared
to a wheelchair, the risk of falling is reduced because
the user can move to the side while in a sitting position
without lifting their buttocks.

Utilization of prosthetics and orthotics
Physical therapists and occupational therapists provide training
utilizing the prosthetic orthotic devices, guidance on those training
methods, and guidance on the wearing of the prosthesis ororthosis. It is important to conduct training by changes in thephysical and psychological condition of patients.

Operation and management of prosthetics andorthotics; physical and psychological support
NursesNurses work together with doctors to manage the physical/psychological conditions of patients and to support patient health. Nurses
also provide training for putting on and taking oﬀ the prosthetic
or orthotic device in daily life, as well as management and guidance
for skin trouble, etc.

Development of prosthetic and orthotic components
Lower-limb orthotics

Microprocessor-controlledknee-ankle-footorthotics with knee joint
The knee joint uses multiple sensors to detect
the userʼs walking and to control the movementof the knee joint. This prevents the knee frombending and enables walking with smooth controlof knee motion.

Lower-limb orthotics

Rehabilitation
EngineersCarbon fiber ankle-footorthotics withposterior strut
This ankle-foot orthotic was developed
based on the concept of pursuing
functionality and appearance. It featuresa structure with modularized foot joints
and a carbon ﬁber posterior strut.

SocialWorkers

Rehabilitation engineers provide scientiﬁc support for the ﬁtting and adjustment of prosthetics and orthotics by prosthetists and training by therapists.
The role of rehabilitation engineers is to research, develop, and evaluate
prosthetic and orthotic parts that are suitable for patients and users, andto provide feedback to people involved in prosthetics and orthotics.

Support for the provision of prostheses,
orthoses and assistive devices
By understanding the social environment surrounding
patients and sharing information with patients and theirfamilies, social workers provide comprehensive support for
applications, etc., related to prosthetics and orthotics.

Multidisciplinary collaborationthat supports technology

Technology for prosthetics and orthotics supporting the users03Our goal is to create a new life04

For even further growth
We will continue to promote education and technological development
to support the lives and activities of all people who need prosthetics and orthotics.

Organizational Chart
Society Secretariat

General Assembly of Society Members
Executive Board
President

Vice-Presidents

Executive Board Members

Inspector

Standing Committees

Study and convey

General Affairs and Public Relations
Statutes Committee Public Relations Committee Internationalization Committee

Scientific meetings

Japan Disaster Rehabilitation Assistance Team Committee

JSPO scientiﬁc meeting is held once every year. The meeting features special lectures and educational lectures on themes selected by the meeting director.
Other features are lectures by speakers invited from abroad, symposiums,and panel discussions. The speciﬁed topics are delivered, including thoseby invited speakers from abroad, and symposiums and panel discussions areheld. JSPO members can make presentations in their respective specializedﬁelds or listen to presentations by others. A commercial exhibition is joinedby several prosthesis and orthosis producers and welfare equipment manufacturers, oﬀering an opportunity to experience cutting-edge products ﬁrsthand.
The meeting also serves as a forum for exchanging opinions with and collecting
information from a variety of professionals involved in clinical research on
prostheses and orthoses. A large number of prosthesis or orthosis users,
students, and other non-industry people have participated in recent years.

Education
Training Committee

Certification System Committee

Academics
Publication Committee Society Awards and Research Grants Selection CommitteeStandardization Committee

Terminology Committee

Committee on Measures for Supply System of Prosthetics, Orthotics, Etc.
Ethics

Ethics Committee

Special Committees
Scientific Meeting Committee
Committee for Upper Limb Prosthetic check-out protocol

Communicateand spread
Learn05

Academic journal publication
As part of its membership service, JSPO publishes the Nihon Gishi Sougu

Gakkaishi journal (ISSN: 0910-4720) [Bulletin of the Japanese Societyof Prosthetics and Orthotics] four times a year. Each issue of the journal
features a wide range of special articles on topics such as prostheses,orthoses, and assistive devices, as well as education, research, andoverseas developments. It also includes treatises and articles contributed
by JSPO members, serial lectures, reports on recent conferences,academic meetings, seminars, editorials, and other information. Thisjournal can be read on J-STAGE (Japan Science and Technology Information
Aggregator, Electronic), which is an online academic journal platform
operated by the Japan Science and Technology Agency.

Research seminar
JSPO research seminar is held once every year to provide chances for various specialists related to prostheses and orthoses to learn professional knowledge and skills. Seminar
topics cover state-of-the-art as well as practical knowledge and skills to promote the appropriate use of prostheses and orthoses. These topics cover wide-ranging areas of specialization, and the seminar is designed with well-balanced theories, ﬁtting, and wearing training
methods in consideration of multidisciplinary members of JSPO.

Certification system

Other activities

JSPO has established a certiﬁcation system as system related to continuous professional development. Persons who attend a workshop held
once a year and pass the written examination are certiﬁed as either“Prosthetics and Orthotics Specialist” or as “Certiﬁed Professionalby the Japanese Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics,” and we strive
to improve their skills related to prosthetics and orthotics.

JSPO also conducts other activities such as supporting thesupply of prostheses and orthoses to low-income countries,
collecting information from industrial countries, implementing
domestic measures for discussing standards and speciﬁcations
related to prosthetics and orthotics based on ISO and JIS, andexamining the supply system for prosthetic and orthotics.

Enrollment Information

If you would like to apply on the Web, please write "You want to join" in the subject line of
the e-mail, write the desired membership category in the text, and send it to the following
e-mail address. We will e-mail you the payment method with return credit, so please pay the admission fee and the annual membership fee for the ﬁrst year.
*Admission fee and annual membership fee for the ﬁrst year are paid by credit using PayPal.
The annual membership fee is as follows.
The ﬁscal year of the Society is from September 1st to August 31st.
GeneralmemberStudentmember

Supporting
memberSubscriber

Admission fee

1,000 yen───Annual fee

10,000 yen

4,000 yen

40,000 yen

8,000 yen

(No admission fee is required for the transition from student member to general member.)*1 Subscribed members are limited to corporations, and participation in study groups andacademic conferences is treated as non-members only by purchasing academic journals.
Subscribed members purchase each academic journal volume and have nothing to dowith the academic year.
*2 Those who wish to have a back number will be charged 2,000 yen for members and 3,000 yenfor non-members. (Up to 9 volumes, 1,500 yen for members, 2,000 yen for non-members)

Inquiries
The Japanese Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics (JSPO) Secretariat
JSPO Homepage
Address

https://www.jspo.jp/Gishikaikan 201, 5-32-7 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan

TEL

03-3812-9066

FAX

03-3868-3201

E-mailoffice@jspo.jp

JSPO Homepage

facebook06