Nature of the Work
Throughout the job of being an orthopedist or a prosthetist there will be a lot of things that you will be expected to complete for your job. Some of these expectations include:
Ø Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
Ø Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
Ø Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.
Ø Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
Ø Maintain patients' records.
Ø Make and modify plaster casts of areas that will be fitted with prostheses or orthoses, for use in the device construction process.
Ø Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
Ø Confer with physicians to formulate specifications and prescriptions for orthopedic or prosthetic devices.
Ø Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.
Ø Construct and fabricate appliances or supervise others constructing the appliances.
