Responses against Orthotic
Thomas Current
Description
Collection
Title:
Responses against Orthotic
Creator:
Thomas Current
Date:
12/9/1999
Text:
Thanks to all who responded. Some are kind of funny. Others pointed
out that we are not the only profession facing this kind of word useage
problem. Here is the responses of those who feel the term orthotic is
being missused:
It grates on me too, but I just try to remind my staff to use
orthosis
and
use the terms correctly myself.
Randy McFarland, CPO
I am also bothered by this misuse of words. I've had arguments about it
with fellow practitioners who like to use orthotic as a noun because
it's
catchy. But I'm bothered by the number of people that, when I say
that
I
work in the field of orthotics, respond that they have them in their
shoes.
There's a public perception that our professional field exists in shoes.
I
wish our national organizations would have taken action on this years
earlier by educating podiatry schools regarding proper terminology. I
wonder if it's too late. I believe our field is going the way of the
kleenex.
Harold Anderson, CO
No, Tom, you are not over-reacting. But...
when the podiatrists started to use the term in the late 70, I kinda
enjoyed it - let them demonstrate to the world their ignorance! But as
it turns out, the joke is on us. English is exactly what the speakers
of
the language SAY it is, and folks say 'orthotic' and 'prosthetic' as a
noun more and more. MDs, PT's, patients, newscasters, print reporters
AND EVEN CPO's ON THIS LIST! When I read that, I knew that the war was
lost.
I continue to teach anyone who is unfamiliar with the words the proper
terms, and will always use them correctly myself, but the words now
carry
parallel meaning in this language whether I like it or not.
Daniel Watkins CPO
======== Fwd by: John Stephens ========
I do not think so. I totally agree with you! For one thing it is
improper
grammar. They are using the word orthotic as a noun when it is an
adjective
I think!
Hi Tom-
No I do not particularly think you are overreacting. I have been
bothered by it too.
I remember John Hughes, a professor at the University of Strathclyde
discussed this at length at the ISPO meeting in Australia in 1995.
I think it is appropriate to correct the individuals using the incorrect
terminology. The word orthotic I believe is an adjective and
technically should be used as a descriptor to a noun such as orthotic
device. The plural of the word, orthotics however is a noun and
refers to the practice of the profession. Health professionals are not
aware of this and get the practice of the profession reduced to the
singular form of the word to refer to the devices that an orthotist
provides.
Because the word orthotic is used inappropriately in discussions and
even in medical journals and textbooks,
correcting health professionals I think is very important.
I use these definitions (they are off the hip and not the technical
dictionary description) when clarifying your point with health
professionals.
orthotics -practice of designing, fitting, delivering orthotic devices.
orthosis - An external device designed to straighten a portion of the
body, since the word orthosis essentially means to straighten.
orthoses - plural of orthosis. More than one orthotic device.
orthotic - adjective used to describe a noun, such as an orthotic
device.
Hope this input helps and is of some benefit.
Chris Hovorka, MS, CPO
University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas
Dear Tom,
While we are on the subject, how about the word componentry! That
really
chaps my you-know-what! There is no such word. The word is
component(s)
plan and simple. I don't think you are over reacting, proper English
is
proper English. Thanks for your thoughts.
Happy holidays,
Lisa Schoonmaker, CPO
Tom:
You are probably not overreacting. I, too, have long been bothered by
the
use
of orthotic as a noun. I've never heard prosthetic used in that way,
but
I'm sorry to hear that you have.
You should start referring to the therapist as a therapeutic and the
physician as a surgical. But then, they'd probably think you were
nutty
and
send you to see a psychiatric.
David Hendricks, LPO, CPO, FAAOP
Tom,
You are not overreacting. It ticks me off as well. My biggest
frustration is that a number of my colleagues have adopted this practise
and REFUSE to change. Any suggestions?
PS I wrote a note to the list list year about a similar frustration
with practitioners always referring to a prosthesis as such to the
patient but referring to an orthosis as a brace. I was almost boiled
in e-oil.
Robert
Tom:
Are you wrong? Maybe you have respect for the language. Tho to correct
those who do not, or are too intellectually lazy to properly learn
correct usage, places you in peril, as I am sure you know :)
Wayne Renardson
No, Thomas Current, the fault is not in you but in the 'stars'. I wince
and correct a lot of things
I encounter. The problem is that the web is the 'everyman's' mode and
because standards of teaching
of our language have deteriorated almost anything goes. A prosthetic
device, aka a prosthesis
(ditto for orthoses) is so pleasant to encounter.....indicating a
literate person. Ah me!! George
B.
Over reacting, No. Fighting a losing battle, I'm afraid so.
Ted A. Trower C.P.O.
Dear Tom,
I, like you, feel that this misuse of terminology is extremely
frustrating. It seemed to start about 15 years ago with the growing
popularity of custom corrective and protective inserts for the weekend
athlete, and fueled by increased networking by Langer Industries, and
other
reputable custom orthotic labs.
I've given up trying to stem the tide, as it were........I'm too
busy
now trying to convince the masses that THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE
MILLENIUM
YET!!
Cheers!
Barry Steineman, CPO
Thomas:
Not in the least!! I find myself explaining the difference at least
once
a
day. It annoys me also.
Eric Schwelke, C.P.O.
Tom,
Hell no you're not over reacting!
It's fairly simple in my estimation.
Orthosis or Prosthesis = singular noun
Orthoses or Prostheses = plural noun
Orthotic or Prosthetic = adjective (ie. prosthetic device)
Therefore, you do not wear orthotics in your shoes. You wear foot
orthoses
in your shoes.
This is basic stuff and should be easy to understand.
So, for anyone providing or asking for orthotics instead of foot
orthoses... Please get it straight. You sound ridiculous.
Mark S. Hopkins PT, CP
NO!
You are not, I controlled myself when that poster was talking about how
to cast for a foot
orthotic the other day. And he was supposed to be preparing for his
boards, oh well.
Dan Snelson, CPO, FAAOP
I am in full agreement. I don't like adjectives being made into nouns.
It
is unfortunate that the
word orthotic is so much easier to say that orthosis. As an occupational
therapist, I dislike the
term splint even more.
Pat McKee
TOM
WHILE I UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTRATION REGARDING TERMINOLOGY USED BY
PARAMEDICALS, I THINK WE ARE BEATING OUR HEAD AGAINST THE WALL. IN THE
PAST,
I HAVE TRIED TO CHANGE WHAT PEOPLE CALL ORTOTICS AND PROSTHETICS WITHOUT
SUCCESS. THEIR ARE MUCH LARGER LOBBIES WANTING TO KEEP THINGS AS THEY
ARE
FOR WHAT EVER REASON.
THE FOOT CARE INDUSTRY IS ONE EXAMPLE. THEY HAVE PUSHED FOR USE OF THE
TERM
FOOT ORTOTIC, AND NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH IT. I DON'T SEE ANYONE OTHER
THAN
US INTERESTED IN MAKING A CHANGE.
I HAVE JUST LEARNED TO LIVE WITH THE SYSTEM.
JACK
Hi Tom!
Even I, being Swedish, react to this blatant misuse of language. That
may
have to do with my time in a Europan standardisation group, where the
standard clearly stated orthotic device or prosthetic device, as
appropriate. Unfortunately, it may be just one of these changes that
happen in a living language. Although we don´t like it, there is little
chance of the few aware changing things back. I guess it sounds right
to a large enough number of people, and that will make a change for the
worse...
It could be that these words are used by groups that are larger/more
influential than O&P people. I don´t know about you, but over here we´re
still pretty much the guys in the basement, and if I said orthosis
to
the man in the street he´d just say: -Huh?
All the best
Kjell-Ake Nilsson, CPO at Linkoping University Hospital, Sweden.
out that we are not the only profession facing this kind of word useage
problem. Here is the responses of those who feel the term orthotic is
being missused:
It grates on me too, but I just try to remind my staff to use
orthosis
and
use the terms correctly myself.
Randy McFarland, CPO
I am also bothered by this misuse of words. I've had arguments about it
with fellow practitioners who like to use orthotic as a noun because
it's
catchy. But I'm bothered by the number of people that, when I say
that
I
work in the field of orthotics, respond that they have them in their
shoes.
There's a public perception that our professional field exists in shoes.
I
wish our national organizations would have taken action on this years
earlier by educating podiatry schools regarding proper terminology. I
wonder if it's too late. I believe our field is going the way of the
kleenex.
Harold Anderson, CO
No, Tom, you are not over-reacting. But...
when the podiatrists started to use the term in the late 70, I kinda
enjoyed it - let them demonstrate to the world their ignorance! But as
it turns out, the joke is on us. English is exactly what the speakers
of
the language SAY it is, and folks say 'orthotic' and 'prosthetic' as a
noun more and more. MDs, PT's, patients, newscasters, print reporters
AND EVEN CPO's ON THIS LIST! When I read that, I knew that the war was
lost.
I continue to teach anyone who is unfamiliar with the words the proper
terms, and will always use them correctly myself, but the words now
carry
parallel meaning in this language whether I like it or not.
Daniel Watkins CPO
======== Fwd by: John Stephens ========
I do not think so. I totally agree with you! For one thing it is
improper
grammar. They are using the word orthotic as a noun when it is an
adjective
I think!
Hi Tom-
No I do not particularly think you are overreacting. I have been
bothered by it too.
I remember John Hughes, a professor at the University of Strathclyde
discussed this at length at the ISPO meeting in Australia in 1995.
I think it is appropriate to correct the individuals using the incorrect
terminology. The word orthotic I believe is an adjective and
technically should be used as a descriptor to a noun such as orthotic
device. The plural of the word, orthotics however is a noun and
refers to the practice of the profession. Health professionals are not
aware of this and get the practice of the profession reduced to the
singular form of the word to refer to the devices that an orthotist
provides.
Because the word orthotic is used inappropriately in discussions and
even in medical journals and textbooks,
correcting health professionals I think is very important.
I use these definitions (they are off the hip and not the technical
dictionary description) when clarifying your point with health
professionals.
orthotics -practice of designing, fitting, delivering orthotic devices.
orthosis - An external device designed to straighten a portion of the
body, since the word orthosis essentially means to straighten.
orthoses - plural of orthosis. More than one orthotic device.
orthotic - adjective used to describe a noun, such as an orthotic
device.
Hope this input helps and is of some benefit.
Chris Hovorka, MS, CPO
University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas
Dear Tom,
While we are on the subject, how about the word componentry! That
really
chaps my you-know-what! There is no such word. The word is
component(s)
plan and simple. I don't think you are over reacting, proper English
is
proper English. Thanks for your thoughts.
Happy holidays,
Lisa Schoonmaker, CPO
Tom:
You are probably not overreacting. I, too, have long been bothered by
the
use
of orthotic as a noun. I've never heard prosthetic used in that way,
but
I'm sorry to hear that you have.
You should start referring to the therapist as a therapeutic and the
physician as a surgical. But then, they'd probably think you were
nutty
and
send you to see a psychiatric.
David Hendricks, LPO, CPO, FAAOP
Tom,
You are not overreacting. It ticks me off as well. My biggest
frustration is that a number of my colleagues have adopted this practise
and REFUSE to change. Any suggestions?
PS I wrote a note to the list list year about a similar frustration
with practitioners always referring to a prosthesis as such to the
patient but referring to an orthosis as a brace. I was almost boiled
in e-oil.
Robert
Tom:
Are you wrong? Maybe you have respect for the language. Tho to correct
those who do not, or are too intellectually lazy to properly learn
correct usage, places you in peril, as I am sure you know :)
Wayne Renardson
No, Thomas Current, the fault is not in you but in the 'stars'. I wince
and correct a lot of things
I encounter. The problem is that the web is the 'everyman's' mode and
because standards of teaching
of our language have deteriorated almost anything goes. A prosthetic
device, aka a prosthesis
(ditto for orthoses) is so pleasant to encounter.....indicating a
literate person. Ah me!! George
B.
Over reacting, No. Fighting a losing battle, I'm afraid so.
Ted A. Trower C.P.O.
Dear Tom,
I, like you, feel that this misuse of terminology is extremely
frustrating. It seemed to start about 15 years ago with the growing
popularity of custom corrective and protective inserts for the weekend
athlete, and fueled by increased networking by Langer Industries, and
other
reputable custom orthotic labs.
I've given up trying to stem the tide, as it were........I'm too
busy
now trying to convince the masses that THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE
MILLENIUM
YET!!
Cheers!
Barry Steineman, CPO
Thomas:
Not in the least!! I find myself explaining the difference at least
once
a
day. It annoys me also.
Eric Schwelke, C.P.O.
Tom,
Hell no you're not over reacting!
It's fairly simple in my estimation.
Orthosis or Prosthesis = singular noun
Orthoses or Prostheses = plural noun
Orthotic or Prosthetic = adjective (ie. prosthetic device)
Therefore, you do not wear orthotics in your shoes. You wear foot
orthoses
in your shoes.
This is basic stuff and should be easy to understand.
So, for anyone providing or asking for orthotics instead of foot
orthoses... Please get it straight. You sound ridiculous.
Mark S. Hopkins PT, CP
NO!
You are not, I controlled myself when that poster was talking about how
to cast for a foot
orthotic the other day. And he was supposed to be preparing for his
boards, oh well.
Dan Snelson, CPO, FAAOP
I am in full agreement. I don't like adjectives being made into nouns.
It
is unfortunate that the
word orthotic is so much easier to say that orthosis. As an occupational
therapist, I dislike the
term splint even more.
Pat McKee
TOM
WHILE I UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTRATION REGARDING TERMINOLOGY USED BY
PARAMEDICALS, I THINK WE ARE BEATING OUR HEAD AGAINST THE WALL. IN THE
PAST,
I HAVE TRIED TO CHANGE WHAT PEOPLE CALL ORTOTICS AND PROSTHETICS WITHOUT
SUCCESS. THEIR ARE MUCH LARGER LOBBIES WANTING TO KEEP THINGS AS THEY
ARE
FOR WHAT EVER REASON.
THE FOOT CARE INDUSTRY IS ONE EXAMPLE. THEY HAVE PUSHED FOR USE OF THE
TERM
FOOT ORTOTIC, AND NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH IT. I DON'T SEE ANYONE OTHER
THAN
US INTERESTED IN MAKING A CHANGE.
I HAVE JUST LEARNED TO LIVE WITH THE SYSTEM.
JACK
Hi Tom!
Even I, being Swedish, react to this blatant misuse of language. That
may
have to do with my time in a Europan standardisation group, where the
standard clearly stated orthotic device or prosthetic device, as
appropriate. Unfortunately, it may be just one of these changes that
happen in a living language. Although we don´t like it, there is little
chance of the few aware changing things back. I guess it sounds right
to a large enough number of people, and that will make a change for the
worse...
It could be that these words are used by groups that are larger/more
influential than O&P people. I don´t know about you, but over here we´re
still pretty much the guys in the basement, and if I said orthosis
to
the man in the street he´d just say: -Huh?
All the best
Kjell-Ake Nilsson, CPO at Linkoping University Hospital, Sweden.
Citation
Thomas Current, “Responses against Orthotic,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 5, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/213308.
