BS ISO 8549-1:2020

What is ISO 8549-1 about?  

ISO 8549-1 defines general terms used to describe external limb prostheses and orthoses, and the personnel involved in the practice of prosthetics and orthotics. 

ISO 8549-1 provides standardized vocabulary of terminologies used for external limb prostheses and external orthoses. Thus, ensuring consistency and eliminating ambiguities in terms while practicing prosthetics and orthotics. 

Note1: ISO 8549-1 does not apply to breast, ocular or other external prostheses used to replace other parts of the human body, nor to dental prostheses or orthoses. 

Note2: For the purposes of ISO 8549-1, the abbreviated term 'prosthetics' and its derivatives only apply to external limb prosthetics. The abbreviated term 'orthotics' and its derivatives only apply to external orthotics. 

Who is ISO 8549-1 for? 

ISO 8549-1 on general terms external limb prostheses and external orthoses -vocabulary is useful for: 

• Professionals involved in prostetics and orthotics 
• Manufacturers and suppliers of external limb prostheses and orthoses 
• Epidemiologists  
• National health officials 

Why should you use ISO 8549-1? 

There existed no internationally accepted terminology to describe the various areas of prosthetic and orthotic practice, the categories of prosthetic and orthotic devices and the personnel involved in the supply of these devices. 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 ISO 8549-1 reflect the changes in the field of prosthetics and orthotics. They will help you describe, in a standardized manner, the devices supplied, and the personnel involved in the supply process. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

This second edition BS ISO 8549-1:2020 replaces the first edition ISO 85491:1989, which has been technically revised. 

The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows: 

• Definitions of foot orthotics, head orthosis and soft orthosis have been added to the list of areas of orthotic practise (see 3.1) 
• A definition of the head has been added to the list of anatomical terms (see 3.2) 
• Definitions of foot orthotist, hand therapist and the clinic team have been added to the list of personnel involved in the prosthetic and orthotic supply process (see 3.3) 
• The list definitions of anatomical terms (see 3.2) has been reduced to include only those essential for the definitions in 3.1 and the list of definitions of the stages of the prosthetic/orthotic supply process (see 3.3) has been removed as being outdated