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Prosthetics and Orthotics You are here:HomeEducationAllied Health EducationProsthetics and Orthotics What is Prosthetics and Orthotics? A Prosthesis is a replacement for a lost limb An Orthosis is an external device used to support, correct or assist a limb Orthotists and Prosthetists assess clients, prescribe, design, fabricate, fit and maintain and monitor prostheses and orthoses, as well as provide education to clients. The Prosthetic and Orthotic Department provides prosthetic and orthotic services to patients with many different pathologies. Our service operates at the Fitzroy campus, St George’s Hospital and Caritas Christi Hospice. Custom made prostheses and orthoses are manufactured at our main site at the Fitzroy campus. Our Staff Our clinicians are Certified Orthotist/Prosthetists (cOP) and members of The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA). AOPA members must uphold professional standards established by the association and participate in continuing professional development. See link: http://www.aopa.org.au/about-us/aopa-certified-practitioners for further information. Our Services The Prosthetic and Orthotic Department provides prosthetic and orthotic services to patients with many different pathologies. Assessment of individual patient needs is conducted. Prostheses and orthoses are prescribed to meet individual patient needs. Devices are either manufactured within the P&O Department or are sourced elsewhere. Information and education about the device is included in all treatment. Consultation with other medical and allied health professionals is undertaken. Services are provided at the Fitzroy campus, St George’s Hospital and Caritas Christi Hospice The prosthetic service includes: Prosthetic management of all levels of limb amputation. Immediate post-operative care and prosthetic rehabilitation for new amputees, including the application of rehabilitation (temporary) limb prostheses and removable rigid dressings when appropriate. Ongoing long term prosthetic management of amputees through Amputee Clinic, including reviews of and repairs of definitive prostheses as well as replacement of prostheses when appropriate. Education The minimum tertiary education available in Australia is a Masters in Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics through La Trobe University, Melbourne. For further information see: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/courses/prosthetics-and-orthotics Students University Affiliations St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne is affiliated with La Trobe University: Both Prosthetic Clinical School and Orthotic Clinical School programs are run by St Vincent’s Prosthetic and Orthotic Department. When resources permit, final year eight week clinical placements are offered in both Prosthetics and Orthotics. Preparing for your clinical placement Please see our orientation guide: ..\La Trobe University - Students\Clinical Placement\Manuals and Student Evaluation Forms\SVHM Student Manual 2016.pdf Research Current projects include: Long term changes in walking performance of chronic stroke patients following botulinum toxin, physiotherapy and orthotic management Plantar Pressure Parameters of the Diabetic Partial Foot Amputee (joint affiliation with Strathclyde University, Scotland, United Kingdom) Is physiotherapy combined with steroid injection and bracing more effective than physiotherapy and injection alone for osteoarthritis of the knee? Careers Please register with the St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne recruitment site https://stvincents.mercury.com.au/Register.aspx to ensure you are informed of future vacancies. Vacancies are also advertised on the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association website: http://www.aopa.org.au/careers/employment-opportunities Contact Prosthetic and Orthotic Department Building F - Bolte Wing 14 Nicholson Street Fitzroy VIC 3065 Postal address: PO Box 2900 Fitzroy VIC 3065 Email: PODEPARTMENT@svha.org.au Phone: (03) 9231 3837 (if you have a St Vincent’s UR number, please have it ready when you call)