Prosthetic and Orthotic

The Prosthetic and Orthotic Unit, a specialized clinic of RIPAS, has been transferred and relocated to Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC) as of 1st August 2023.

The P&O Unit is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and is operated by a team of Certified Prosthetists and Orthotists (CPOs) and their technicians under the management of the Rehabilitation Department, of the Brunei Neuroscience Stroke and Rehabilitation Centre (BNSRC), PJSC. The Unit is located on Level 7 of the PJSC building in Jerudong, and it will commence its clinical operations officially on the 7th of August 2023. The Unit will nevertheless continue to support the clinical services provided by the Ministry of Health.

The Unit specializes in providing patients with customized or ready-made medical artificial devices and external supports for the body in particular, limb prostheses (e.g., for above/below knee lower limb prostheses) or orthoses (e.g., braces, splints, insoles, footwear, helmets, etc.) to assist in maximizing and/or regaining functional mobility in their everyday lives. CPOs are part of the multidisciplinary team, and they work closely with doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals to help patients achieve their functional and quality of life goals. Conditions served include cerebral palsy, limb amputation, stroke, spinal cord injury amongst others.

Prosthetics are an artificial device attached to the existing body to replace missing body parts and improve functional outcomes as a result of amputation. 

 

Who are the potential users?

Patients who have had part/s of their body amputated due to trauma or conditions such as diabetes, neuromuscular disorders, infection, cancer, etc. Young patients with congenital limb loss may also benefit from prosthetics.  

 

What are the benefits of using prosthetics?

Prosthetics help patients maintain their fitness by providing the ability to continue with their activities and recover their body movements close to normal. They also help patients to be more independent following their amputation and training. The cosmesis of patients’ body structures can benefit from prosthetics. All these benefits may improve prosthetic patients’ overall psychological impact. 

 

What are the Prosthetic services offered in PJSC?  

Prosthetic: Lower limb 

• Symes or Ankle Disarticulation prosthesis 
• Transtibial (or Below Knee) prosthesis 
• Transfemoral (or Above Knee) prosthesis
• Hybrid prosthesis
• Annual maintenance or repair of prosthetic components
• Replacement of socket due to residual stump changes or damaged socket

Orthotics are an external device, e.g., braces, splints, insoles, footwear and helmets, attached to an existing body which function has been compromised to correct alignment, accommodate a deformity or protect its structure, and aid patients in stable positioning and/or basic movements. These devices can be prefabricated or customised, depending on patients’ requirements.  

 

Who are the potential users?

Patients with malalignment and deformity of the limbs due to neuromuscular disorders (e.g., Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Spina Bifida (SB)), musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., Hallux Valgus, Symptomatic Pes Planus (pronated feet)) or secondary to conditions such as diabetes, or as a result of trauma such as injury to the foot.  

 

What are the benefits of using orthotics?

Fully or partially correctible malalignment of the body can be gradually improved through the use of orthotics. Otherwise, orthotics can prevent worsening of alignment and deformity as well as contractures. The materials used in orthotics may also help in protecting the skin from high pressure points caused by imbalanced ground forces. These benefits, in turn, boost the functional outcome for the patients and promote confidence and independence. 

 

What are the Orthotic services offered in PJSC?  

[1] Orthotics Splinting: Head and Spinal 

• Off the shelf 

1. Head and neck orthosis:
   • Helmet
   • Hard and soft cervical collar
   • Miami J cervical collar
   • Philadelphia cervical collar
2. Spinal orthosis:
   • TLSO brace
   • Lumbosacral corset 

 

[2] Orthotic Splinting: Upper Limb  

• Off the shelf 
  • Humeral fracture brace 
  • Post op elbow brace 
  • Tennis elbow straps 

 

[3] Orthotic Splinting: Lower Limb 

• Custom made 
  • Foot Orthosis (including insoles, medial arch support, metatarsal bar/dome, heel raise, etc.) 
  • Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO) 
  • Knee Orthoses 
  • Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (KAFO) 
•  Off-The-Shelf 
  • Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis (TLSO) 
  • Knee brace 
  • Leaf spring orthosis
  • Ankle brace
  • Foot drop night splint
  • Dennis brown boots for CTEV/Club foot
  • Foot orthosis (including formthotics insoles, gel heel cushion, heel raise, etc.) 

How to get referred for P&O services? 

The P&O unit also offers their services to in-patients and out-patients. Please speak to your doctor to be referred to us or you may call us to book your appointment with us.