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IDS_Ireland_prosthetics_orthotics IDS Ireland offer this free resource for Healthcare Professionals who are encountering prostheses and or orthoses for the first time, or are only occasionally in contact with them. IDS_Ireland_prosthetics_orthotics_IDS Ireland offer this free resource for Healthcare Professionals who are encountering prostheses and or orthoses for the first time, or are only occasionally in contact with them. IDS_Ireland_prosthetics_orthotics_IDS Ireland offer this free resource for Healthcare Professionals who are encountering prostheses and or orthoses for the first time, or are only occasionally in contact with them. IDS_Ireland_prosthetics_orthotics_IDS Ireland offer this free resource for Healthcare Professionals who are encountering prostheses and or orthoses for the first time, or are only occasionally in contact with them.
IDS_Ireland_prosthetics_orthotics_IDS Ireland offer this free resource for Healthcare Professionals who are encountering prostheses and or orthoses for the first time, or are only occasionally in contact with them.

IDS ::: Orthotics ::: Construction Overview

There are three main categories: Conventional, Contemporary and Soft.

Conventional – are made mainly from leather and metal* [* See below]

Contemporary – are made mainly from plastic* and metal*, but occasionally from laminates such as carbon fibre. [* See below]

Soft - are made from fabric, elastic, neoprene etc.  Most of these are "off the shelf" but some, mainly fabric spinal supports, are custom made.

  • Metal* – most commonly duralumin or steel. Mainly used for struts, joints and reinforcement. Struts are often referred to as steels, even when made of duralumin!
  • Plastic* – most commonly thermo-plastic . A lot of polypropylene is used but there is a wide range of alternatives which have different characteristics such as rigidity. Thermo-setting plastics are sometimes used in lamination such as carbon fibre.

Click here to return to Orthotic Categories.

 IDS_Ireland_prosthetics_orthotics_IDS Ireland offer this free resource for Healthcare Professionals who are encountering prostheses and or orthoses for the first time, or are only occasionally in contact with them.
IDS_Ireland_prosthetics_orthotics_IDS Ireland offer this free resource for Healthcare Professionals who are encountering prostheses and or orthoses for the first time, or are only occasionally in contact with them. IDS_Ireland_prosthetics_orthotics_IDS Ireland offer this free resource for Healthcare Professionals who are encountering prostheses and or orthoses for the first time, or are only occasionally in contact with them. IDS_Ireland_prosthetics_orthotics_IDS Ireland offer this free resource for Healthcare Professionals who are encountering prostheses and or orthoses for the first time, or are only occasionally in contact with them. IDS_Ireland_prosthetics_orthotics_IDS Ireland offer this free resource for Healthcare Professionals who are encountering prostheses and or orthoses for the first time, or are only occasionally in contact with them.