I want to help people walk again

Accidents can at times make people lose their limbs. There are also those who are born missing a limb. As you can imagine, life is difficult for the victims.

It is for this reason that the special field of orthotics and prosthetics is so important. It deals with the evaluation, fabrication, and custom fitting of artificial limbs and orthopaedic braces.

Prosthetic hands, arms, and legs help amputees or people who were born without limbs carry out the activities of daily living and even run marathons. Braces, on the other hand, help people with damaged limbs to walk. Prosthetic ears and noses help minimise the stares that severely disfigured people must endure.

Professionals called prosthetists specialise in designing and making artificial limbs, while orthotists specialise in designing and fitting orthopaedic braces such as surgical supports and corrective shoes. These professions are related so it is not odd to find an individual who doubles as both an orthotics and a prosthetics.

They usually work in workshops in private practice or as part of a larger healthcare clinic or hospital. This means that one has to have the knowledge to work with specialised equipment.

Those interested in in this career are advised to take Algebra, Geometry, Sciences, Metal work, Woodwork, and Computer studies in high school courses. To this, being artistic with the ability to construct is an added advantage. A Bachelor’s degree in prosthetics or orthotics from an accredited college followed by an internship working with a qualified orthotist or prosthetist is your next step. Note, however, that you might have to go to South Africa, UK or US to study as no school currently offers this course locally.

That said there are still ample opportunities, presently, to develop a thriving business in this area, especially here at home where there aren’t many professionals in this field.