Orthotist

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɔɹθətɪst/

Definitions

1. A healthcare professional who designs, fabricates, and fits orthopedic braces and supports to assist patients' movement and correct physical deformities
2. Someone trained to create and adjust braces or supports that help improve limb function and posture
3. A specialist focused on making and fitting devices that support or correct musculoskeletal issues in patients

Etymology: "Orthotist" is built from "orthotic" plus the suffix "-ist", which marks a person who practises or specialises in something. An orthotist, then, is a specialist who makes and fits braces and other supports for the body. The base word "orthotic" describes the braces themselves, so the job name simply names the practitioner who works in that field. The stem "orthot-" carries the idea of correcting or straightening, which is also the sense behind the prefix "ortho-" in words like "orthopaedic". The "-ist" ending is the same one found in "dentist" or "pharmacist", where it names someone trained in a particular craft or profession. Put together, the word describes a clinical role rather than an object or an action.

Synonyms: prosthetist, orthopedic specialist