OPCA 1055 - Foundations of Prosthetic Practice

Credits: 2
Hours/Week: Lecture 1 Lab 2
Course Description: This course provides a foundational understanding of prosthetic practice, prosthetic devices, and the individuals who use them. Instruction explores the history and evolution of prosthetic technology, along with current considerations for patients within the limb-loss and limb-difference community. This course provides information about education pathways, degrees, diplomas, and career ladders; common prosthetic, orthotic, and pedorthic roles and responsibilities; and typical workplace settings and rehabilitation team structures. Instruction introduces essential lab safety practices-including evacuation principles, use of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), flammable materials handling, and OSHA-related workplace safety-along with tools, equipment, materials, and components commonly used for basic prosthetic fabrication. Laboratory activities emphasize the development of fundamental hand skills and fabrication techniques to produce and finish introductory prosthetic devices safely. Students must be able to perform physical tasks to complete course requirements.
Prerequisite(s): Instructor Consent
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: Concurrently enrolled in OPCA 1065 , OPCA 1075 , OPCA 1085 , and OPCA 1095

Major Content

History and context of prosthetics
a. history and evolution of prosthetics
b. issues facing individuals with limb loss or limb difference
O&P profession overview
1. degrees, diplomas, and career ladders
2. common O&P roles and scope of practice
O&P workplaces and rehabilitation team
a. workplace and facility settings
b. employers of O&P graduates

Lab orientation and safety
a. introduction to the prosthetic/orthotic lab and toolbox
b. machines/equipment and proper handling of materials
c. lab safety procedures and evacuation principles
d. Safety Data Sheets (SDS), flammable materials handling, storage
Tools, equipment, and basic techniques
a. common prosthetic tools and equipment
c. techniques for prosthetic fabrication
Materials, properties, and components
a. materials used in prosthetics
b. material properties and selection
c. prosthetic components and their function

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to:

summarize the history and evolution of prosthetic devices and describe limb-loss and mobility impairment by etiology (disease, trauma, congenital limb difference, pathology).
explain current issues facing prosthetic patients. (C.1.1)
perform basic hand skills and fabrication techniques required to fabricate introductory prosthetic devices.
identify common prosthetic tools, materials, and components, and differentiate between their properties and functions in prosthetic fabrication.
demonstrate safe and appropriate use of tools and equipment while adhering to lab safety procedures, SDS guidance, evacuation principles, and workplace safety regulations (e.g., OSHA).
describe education pathways, degrees/diplomas, and career ladders, and explain the roles and responsibilities of prosthetic, orthotic, and pedorthic professionals within common workplace and rehabilitation team settings.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC): Goals and Competencies

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