prosthetic limb from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Prosthetics & Orthotics Lab

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A Look Inside the P&O Lab

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We’re giving a behind-the-scenes look at our Prosthetics & Orthotics program in honor of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. Watch as the P&O team builds a prosthesis for a patient, then scroll down to see the team build an AFO for another patient.

Creating a Prosthesis

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Landon is casting a patient for a transtibial (below-knee) prosthesis. After the patient is casted, you can see the finished cast has boney landmarks noted. Next, Landon is mixing plaster and pouring the cast. You can see him tapping out the air bubbles.

Then, Landon is modifying the cast for a perfect fit. Afterwards, Paul is pulling the test socket. Landon is then heating and adjusting the test socket.

After the team works on the prosthesis, you can see the patient walking with a transfemoral (above-knee) prosthesis for the first time! Finally, to finish the process, Wes is laminating the completed transfemoral (above-knee) prosthesis.

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Custom Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO)

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Watch as our P&O team customizes an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) for a patient. 

First, Keira is casting a patient for an ankle foot orthosis (or AFO). Then, Trent is modifying the cast for a perfect fit. Next, Trent is pulling the plastic for the finished AFO.

Afterwards, Remus is fitting the patient for their AFO. Then, Remus is marking the trimlines for the finished AFO.

Finally, Landon is finishing the edges of the AFO.

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