ISO 8549-3:2020

Prosthetics and orthotics - Vocabulary - Part 3: Terms relating to orthoses

This document defines terms relating to orthoses. This document does not include terms for orthoses that only encompass limb segments, as these orthoses are limited mainly to use in the treatment of fractures and in sports medicine. NOTE 1 The types of components used in the construction of orthoses are classified and described in ISO 13404. NOTE 2 For the purposes of this document the abbreviated term ?orthotics' and its derivatives only apply to external orthotics.

Prothèses et orthèses — Vocabulaire — Partie 3: Termes relatifs aux orthèses

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Sep-2020
• ICS: 01.040.11 - Health care technology (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 11.040.40 - Implants for surgery, prosthetics and orthotics
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 168 - Prosthetics and orthotics
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 168/WG 1 - Nomenclature and classification
• Current Stage: 9060 - Close of review
• Completion Date: 04-Mar-2031

Relations

• Revises: ISO 8549-3:1989 - Prosthetics and orthotics - Vocabulary - Part 3: Terms relating to external orthoses
• Effective Date: 23-Apr-2020

Overview

ISO 8549-3:2020 is an international standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that defines the vocabulary and terminology related specifically to orthoses. As part of the ISO 8549 series on prosthetics and orthotics vocabulary, Part 3 focuses exclusively on terms relating to orthoses, providing precise definitions for a wide range of orthotic devices used in clinical and rehabilitation settings.

This standard establishes a uniform language to describe orthoses based on the anatomical regions they encompass, facilitating clear communication among healthcare professionals, manufacturers, researchers, and regulatory bodies worldwide.

Key Topics

ISO 8549-3:2020 defines and classifies orthoses by body region and joint involvement, with clear abbreviated terms widely used in orthotic practice:

General Definition

• Orthosis (orthotic device): An externally applied device used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities or to improve function of the neuromuscular and skeletal systems.

Lower Limb Orthoses

• Toe Orthosis (TO): Covers and supports the toes.
• Foot Orthosis (FO): Encompasses part or all of the foot.
• Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO): Includes the ankle joint and foot.
• Knee Orthosis (KO): Supports the knee joint.
• Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (KAFO): Encompasses knee, ankle, and foot.
• Hip Orthosis (HO): Covers the hip joint.
• Hip-Knee Orthosis (HKO): Includes hip and knee joints.
• Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (HKAFO): Covers hip, knee, ankle, and foot.

Upper Limb Orthoses

• Finger Orthosis (FO): For whole or parts of fingers.
• Thumb Orthosis (TO): Specifically supports the thumb.
• Hand Orthosis (HO): Covers part or all of the hand.
• Wrist-Hand Orthosis (WHO): Includes wrist and hand.
• Elbow Orthosis (EO): Supports the elbow joint.
• Elbow-Wrist-Hand Orthosis (EWHO): Covers elbow, wrist, and hand.
• Shoulder Orthosis (SO): Encompasses the shoulder joint.
• Shoulder-Elbow Orthosis (SEO): Includes shoulder and elbow.
• Shoulder-Elbow-Wrist-Hand Orthosis (SEWHO): Covers shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.

Spinal Orthoses

• Cervical Orthosis (CO): Encompasses cervical spine and atlantooccipital joint.
• Cervico-Thoracic Orthosis (CTO): Covers cervical and thoracic regions.
• Cervico-Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis (CTLSO): Includes cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacroiliac regions.
• Thoracic Orthosis (TO): Supports thoracic region.
• Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis (TLSO): Encompasses thoracic, lumbar, and sacroiliac areas.
• Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis (LSO): Covers lumbar and sacroiliac regions.
• Sacro-Iliac Orthosis (SIO): For the sacroiliac region.

Head Orthoses

• Facial Orthosis (FO): Covers parts or all of the face.
• Cranial Orthosis (CO): Supports cranium areas.

Important Notes

• Orthoses limited to only limb segments used in fracture treatment or sports medicine are excluded.
• The term "orthotics" refers exclusively to external orthoses within this document context.
• Component classification of orthoses construction is detailed in ISO 13404.

Applications

ISO 8549-3:2020 supports professionals across multiple fields, including:

• Clinical practitioners and orthotists: Standardized terminology ensures consistent documentation, prescription, and communication regarding orthotic devices.
• Manufacturers and designers: Common definitions help in designing products that meet international terminology standards.
• Healthcare policy and epidemiology: Facilitates data collection, reporting, and analysis of orthotic device usage and outcomes.
• Education and research: Provides a foundational vocabulary for training and research in prosthetics and orthotics.
• Regulatory and certification bodies: Assists with compliance assessments and quality assurance by setting terminological references.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive understanding of prosthetics and orthotics vocabulary and classification, ISO 8549-3:2020 is best used alongside:

• ISO 8549-1:2020 - Vocabulary for general terms related to external limb prostheses and orthoses.
• ISO 13404 - Categorization and description of external orthoses and orthotic components.
• World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps - Offers a complementary classification framework for impairments related to orthotic usage.

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ISO 8549-3:2020 is an essential standard for defining and harmonizing the terminology related to orthoses internationally. By adhering to it, healthcare professionals and industry stakeholders can enhance communication, improve device specification accuracy, and support global collaboration in delivering effective orthotic care.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 8549-3
Second edition
2020-09
Prosthetics and orthotics —
Vocabulary —
Part 3:
Terms relating to orthoses
Prothèses et orthèses — Vocabulaire —
Partie 3: Termes relatifs aux orthèses
Reference number
©
ISO 2020
© ISO 2020
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 General . 1
3.2 Classes of lower limb orthoses . 1
3.3 Classes of upper limb orthoses . 2
3.4 Classes of spinal orthoses . 3
3.5 Classes of head orthoses . 4
Annex A (informative) Index of terms and alphabetical list of abbreviations .5
Bibliography . 8
Foreword
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bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
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electrotechnical standardization.
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different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www. iso. org/d irectives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
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iso/foreword . html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 168, Prosthetics and orthotics.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 8549-3:1989), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— the list of terms, abbreviations and definitions of categories of orthoses (see Clause 3) has been
augmented to include all currently recognized categories;
— subclauses have been added to Clause A.1 to provide the abbreviations ordered by classes of
orthoses.
A list of all parts in the ISO 8549 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www. iso. org/m embers. html.
iv © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

Introduction
Prior to the publication of the first edition of this document in 1989, no internationally accepted
terminology to describe the classes of orthoses existed. Consequently, the members of the clinic teams
in different countries and working in different facilities had developed their own terminology to meet
their own needs.
The terms and definitions provided in this document reflect the changes in the field of orthotics since
the publication of the first edition of this document.
They will allow practitioners to describe, in a standardized manner, the devices they supply and the
personnel involved in the supply process.
This document will also be of value to epidemiologists and national health officials.
Users of this document are also advised of the WHO International Classification of Impairments,
[3]
Disabilities and Handicaps .
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 8549-3:2020(E)
Prosthetics and orthotics — Vocabulary —
Part 3:
Terms relating to orthoses
1 Scope
...