- Anaplastologist
- A specialist trained in making and fitting lifelike custom prostheses for parts of the body, including fingers. Anaplastology sits at the meeting point of clinical care and fine craftsmanship.
- Anaplastology
- The clinical field of making and fitting custom prostheses that restore the appearance of a missing or malformed part of the body, such as a finger, ear, nose or eye. A practitioner in this field is an anaplastologist.
- Cosmetic (aesthetic) prosthesis
- A prosthesis designed primarily to restore natural appearance, rather than mechanical function. A custom silicone finger is a cosmetic prosthesis, though it can also offer light function and protection.
- Custom prosthesis
- A prosthesis individually made for one person, sculpted to their anatomy and matched to their skin and nail detail, as opposed to a generic, off-the-shelf product.
- Functional prosthesis
- A prosthesis designed primarily to restore a degree of grip or mechanical use, often prioritising utility over appearance.
- Hand therapist / Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
- A therapist (often an occupational or physical therapist) with advanced training in conditions of the hand and upper limb. Many BioDigit fitting clinicians are hand therapists.
- Impression
- A mould or record taken of the residual finger, used to make a prosthesis that fits accurately. Taking a good impression is the single biggest factor in a good result.
- Medical-grade silicone
- A soft, durable, skin-like material used for custom prostheses because it is comfortable for everyday wear, holds colour well, and can carry fine surface detail.
- Occupational therapist (OT)
- A registered health professional who helps people regain function and independence in daily activities. OTs working with the hand often fit finger prostheses.
- Off-the-shelf cover
- A generic, mass-produced silicone finger cover sold in a few standard sizes and shades. Quite different from a custom, colour-matched prosthesis fitted by a clinician.
- Prosthesis
- An artificial device that replaces a missing part of the body. The plural is prostheses. A finger prosthesis replaces a finger or part of one.
- Prosthetist
- A registered professional who makes and fits prostheses. Some prosthetists specialise in particular areas, such as limbs, or cosmetic and facial prosthetics.
- Residual finger (residuum)
- The remaining part of a finger after partial loss. A prosthesis is designed around the residual finger, so its shape and condition matter to the fit and result.
- Retention
- How a prosthesis stays securely in place during everyday use. With a shorter residual finger there is less to grip, so retention is an important part of the design.
- Silicone finger vs cover
- A custom silicone finger is individually made and colour-matched and fitted by a clinician; a 'cover' usually means a generic, off-the-shelf product. They are different things at very different levels of realism.
- Transition edge
- The line where the silicone of a prosthesis meets your own skin. A clean, well-blended transition edge is what allows a prosthesis to look natural rather than obvious.
- Hallux
- The medical name for the big toe. Big toe (hallux) prostheses restore the most visually prominent toe and help fill the toe box of a shoe.
- Toe box
- The front section of a shoe that surrounds the toes. A missing toe leaves empty space here, which a toe filler or toe prosthesis occupies so the shoe keeps its shape.
- Toe filler
- A simple foam or silicone insert that fills the empty space in a shoe after toe loss. Improves shoe fit but is not shaped or coloured to look like a toe.
- Partial toe prosthesis
- A sculpted silicone cap that restores a lost toe tip or part of a toe, including the nail, gripping the residual toe with a close fit.
- Podiatrist
- A registered health professional specialising in feet. Podiatrists are among the clinicians who assess for and fit toe prostheses.
