Both prosthetists and orthotists are important members of a rehabilitation team. They work closely with physical and occupational therapists.
Prosthetists provide care to patients with partial or total loss of a limb.
Orthotists provide care to patients with disabling conditions of the limbs and spine. Both prosthetists and orthotists are responsible for making any modifications and alignments of the limbs and braces, evaluating the patients' progress, keeping accurate records on each patient, and teaching the patients how to care for their prosthetic or orthotic devices. Prosthetists and orthotists must possess a great deal of mechanical ability, manual dexterity, compassion, hand-eye coordination, spatial judgment, and be able to work with little or no supervision. Areas of Specialization Prosthetists and orthotists may specialize in patients with a particular disability or in a particular age group. Work Environment Prosthetists and orthotists may work in a private practice, laboratory, hospital, or government agency.