Prosthetists and Orthotists are highly trained, autonomous healthcare professionals specialising in the assessment, design, and implementation of devices that support or replace human limbs or improve musculoskeletal function. Both roles are integral to multidisciplinary teams in clinical and rehabilitation settings, contributing significantly to patient mobility, independence, and quality of life.
Prosthetists
Prosthetists are registered healthcare practitioners who specialise in the rehabilitation of individuals with partial or complete limb loss. They employ a combination of clinical assessment, gait analysis, and engineering expertise to design and fit prosthetic limbs that restore functionality and mobility. Their work requires a deep understanding of biomechanics, material science, anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology—skills acquired through rigorous undergraduate education and clinical training.
These professionals are responsible not only for crafting custom prosthetic solutions that replicate the structural and functional characteristics of the absent limb but also for modifying and adapting CE-marked prosthetic devices to better suit individual patient needs. Any modifications made are carried out with full accountability for their clinical and biomechanical implications.
Prosthetists provide care to a diverse patient population, including those with limb loss resulting from congenital conditions, diabetes, vascular disease, infection, or traumatic injury. An increasing number of their patients include military veterans and active service members who have sustained injuries in the line of duty. While prosthetists practice autonomously, they typically collaborate closely with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other medical professionals as part of holistic amputee rehabilitation teams.
Orthotists
Orthotists are autonomous registered practitioners who specialise in the management of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders through the provision of orthotic devices, also known as orthoses. These devices are designed to support weakened limbs or joints, correct deformities, prevent further deterioration, alleviate pain, and improve functional mobility.
Orthotists receive comprehensive training in areas such as mechanics, biomechanics, material science, anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, enabling them to deliver highly customised interventions. They utilise detailed clinical assessments and gait analysis to design orthoses that address specific patient needs, often incorporating advanced materials and technologies to maximize effectiveness and comfort.
They are fully qualified to modify CE-marked orthotic products and components, assuming clinical responsibility for the performance and safety of any adaptations. Orthotists treat a wide range of conditions including, but not limited to, diabetes-related complications, arthritis, cerebral palsy, stroke, spina bifida, scoliosis, musculoskeletal injuries, and sports-related trauma.
Although orthotists can function independently, they frequently serve as integral members of multidisciplinary clinical teams. Their collaborative roles are especially critical within diabetic foot care units, neuro-rehabilitation services, paediatric clinics, and orthopaedic departments.
A Vital Role in Patient Care
Both prosthetists and orthotists play an essential role in modern healthcare, offering innovative and patient-centered solutions to complex physical challenges. Their combined engineering and clinical expertise ensures that patients receive tailored interventions that not only improve mobility and function but also enhance overall quality of life.