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Australian Orthotic and Prosthetic Association

What is AOPA?

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Founded in 1975, AOPA is the peak professional body representing orthotists and prosthetists within Australia. AOPA aims to promote the training, education and professional status of orthotists and prosthetists throughout Australia.

Orthotists and prosthetists are allied health professionals who liaise regularly with members of the multidisciplinary health team. The prosthetist/orthotist combines knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pathology and materials with physical skills such as patient assessment, casting, measurement and alignment to provide prosthetic and orthotic treatment, which is specific to each patient managed.

Our Commitment

The Association is committed to provide continuing education of the highest standard. Newsletters, seminars, workshops and publications keep members and industry colleagues up to date on all matters relevant to the profession including the latest clinical and technical research and development. The AOPA Continuing Professional Development Program ensures members are encouraged and rewarded for their continuing education efforts.

Through the Association's work, the profession has gained widespread recognition for professional excellence. Representation to federal and state government, industry stakeholders, employers and the public is made by AOPA on a wide range of issues including qualifications, professional standards and funding matters.

 

What is an Orthotist?

AOPA National Council
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An Orthotist (pron: Ortho-tist) is an allied health professional and clinician who practices in public hospitals or the private sector.

The Orthotist's role is to assess, prescribe, apply and provide education regarding the use and care of an appropriate orthosis that serves the individual's requirements.

An orthosis is the true term for a brace or appliance that is designed and fitted to the body to achieve one or more of the following goals:

  • Control biomechanical alignment
  • Protect and support a healing injury
  • Assist rehabilitation
  • Reduce pain
  • Increase mobility
  • Increase independence

Commonly prescribed orthoses include;

  • Foot Orthoses, for various foot problems
  • Ankle and Knee Orthoses, for joint protection or support after surgery
  • Fracture Orthoses, the modern alternative to plaster or fibreglass casts
  • Spinal Orthoses, providing low back pain relief or helping control spinal deformities and injuries

There are a wide variety of prefabricated and custom made orthoses used for many musculo-skeletal problems. They are specialised devices should always be fitted by a fully qualified Orthotist.

 

What is a Prosthetist?

AOPA National Council
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A Prosthetist / Orthotist is an Allied Health Professional who designs, measures, fabricates and fits Prostheses and Orthoses. The Prosthetist / Orthotist upgrades their knowledge, skills and experience to ensure the best possible Prosthesis or Orthoses is provided for each individual. 

A Prosthetist (pron: Pros-the-tist) is an allied health professional who is clinically responsible for assessing, manufacturing and fitting various types of upper and lower limb prostheses (artificial limbs). Prosthetists also provide education and training regarding the use, care and function of prostheses.

All limb prostheses are precision made appliances that are individually designed to restore the function and look of the lost limb as much as possible. Prosthetists assist clients such as children born with congenital limb deficiency, people who have had an amputation following an accident or the elderly who have lost a limb as a result of vascular disease.

Due to modern advances in prosthetic technology, prosthetists to supply lighter, stronger and more naturally functioning prostheses than ever before. Technological advances include the ‘energy storing foot', the ‘microprocessor controlled knee' and the myo-electric (bionic) hand.

 

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AOPA Inaugural CONGRESS 20th to 21st August 2010 at Bayview Eden

Latest News

Newsflash

Please remember Membership Early Bird Discount ends strictly on the 30th June 2009. 

Promoting the Prosthetic Orthotic profession:

AOPA Victorian Section sponsored a Student BBQ at La Trobe University on 22nd April.

Submissions & Comment :

  • Primary Health Care Strategy
  • Health & Hospital Reform Commission
  • NHWT Clinical Placement
  • TGA Draft Guideline
  • Device Modification Position Statement

At the meeting with the National Health & Hospital Reform Commissioners;  AOPA supported a Primary Health Care strategy which co-ordinates a best practice multidisciplinary approach for optimum patient outcomes, however AOPA was concerned that with the current prediction of a 25% increase in diabetes within in the next 8 years, if best practice is not implemented the number of amputations could crush the public hospital system;

Best Practice multidisciplinary Allied Health team for Diabetes Health Care;

Dieticians                   Diabetic Educators

Orthotists                    Podiatrists

It was pointed out that P&O's are an integral part of Primary Health Care teams in every tertiary hospital in Australia but omitted from the MBS EPC allied health list, resulting in diabetics often not being referred to Orthotist's.  The Commissioners requested supportive documentation which AOPA supplied.

Your guide to CPD is on the Web Site under Documents - Member Essentials

Submissions made by AOPA are also available under Documents - AOPA Comments & Submissions

Suppliers please consider applying for AOPA CPD-Accreditation for your next educational event.  AOPA members will receive a known number of CPD points for attending your event and when you provide us with the attendee list, we will record the CPD points against each members CPD Activity log (so in June members are not stuggling to remember what they have attended during the year).

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