Orthotics and Prosthetics, although technically separate disciplines, come together as an allied health science which focuses on the common goal of enabling an individual to function to the best of his or her ability.
Orthotics involves the design and fabrication of external braces (orthoses) to control areas of the body which are weakened or deformed. Their use may be as varied as spinal orthoses for scoliosis, foot orthoses for sports people or orthoses to realign the bones of the skull in infants who suffer from positional plagiocephaly.
Prosthetics involves the use of artificial limbs (prostheses) to enhance the function and lifestyle of persons with limb loss. The prosthetist combines knowledge of medicine, engineering and materials science to enhance the lives of persons with limb loss, with particular attention to comfort, stability, and proper fit.