Rehabilitation engineering and the growth of prosthetics/orthotics practice

The development of the professions of orthotics and prosthetics since the Second World War has been marked by a number of steps. These include the involvement of the universities and government in education, research, and provision of devices. The establishment of professional bodies has increased their status, and orthotists and prosthetists are recognized as important members of the rehabilitation team. Rehabilitation engineering is a newly defined discipline which is greatly extending the range of interest of orthotics and prosthetics and the future is one of expanding challenge.