Orthopaedic technician

An orthopaedic technician makes assistive devices for people who have problems with their body due to, for example, an accident, congenital abnormality or illness. These devices are specially made to measure and adapted to the patient's wishes and needs.

What does an orthopaedic technician do?

An orthopaedic technician is responsible for making assistive devices such as prostheses, orthoses, braces, supports, splints and corsets for people who experience limitations in physical functioning. The daily work of an orthopaedic technician also includes the following tasks:

• Adapting assistive devices to the patient's specific impairment, activities and lifestyle.
• Assessing and, where possible, repairing damaged or worn assistive devices.
• Advising patients on the use and maintenance of assistive devices.
• Working with prescribing doctors to find the most suitable assistive device for the individual patient.
• Communicating and working with patients to meet their wishes as well as possible.

Where does an orthopaedic technician work?

Most orthopaedic technicians work in a hospital, rehabilitation centre or orthopaedic practice. There, they work closely with the patient, as well as with doctors, other technicians and health insurers.

There are also orthopaedic technicians who no longer make devices themselves, but work as advisers, salespeople or researchers.