Presented by Engineer Aya Talib Hassan<br />The prosthetics and orthotics engineer plays a fundamental role in the healthcare system for patients and individuals with disabilities, as they are key to improving their quality of life and restoring their mobility.<br /><br />Clinical diagnosis is the first and most important step in the rehabilitation journey of people with disabilities. It serves as the basis for the prosthetics and orthotics engineer to determine the appropriate type of support and design prosthetic limbs or orthotic devices tailored to each individual’s needs.<br /><br />The engineer works closely with the specialized medical team, including doctors and physical therapists, to:<br /><br />Accurately assess the patient’s health and mobility, taking into account the type of disability, level of movement, and muscle strength.<br /><br />Conduct a detailed diagnosis that considers factors affecting the patient’s condition, such as structural deformities or limb loss.<br /><br />Propose suitable engineering solutions that help improve the patient’s functional performance, such as designing custom prosthetic limbs or supportive orthotic devices.<br /><br />Monitor the implementation of the design and adjust it based on the patient’s response and changing needs over time.<br /><br />This role requires the prosthetics and orthotics engineer to have advanced technical skills as well as a deep human understanding and precise medical knowledge, making them a vital bridge between the medical and engineering aspects of rehabilitation.<br /><br />Through their efforts, prosthetics and orthotics engineers can make a significant difference in the lives of people with disabilities, enabling them to better integrate into society and achieve personal independence.