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Hello everyone and thank you for responding to my question on the Spanish terms for the devices we make. Apparently there are more words for these devices than there are Spanish speaking countries. Suporte for brace and pantillas for inserts were the most common. Also I had someone warn me of the liability risk in speaking non fluent Spanish. Unfortunately I take that same risk speaking no Spanish at all if someone happens to come in without a translator. I don't know if I would be responsible for a translator. I would address that with clearly written Spanish instructions for our custom devices. I could have our secretary explain the situation and request they bring a translator with them until I become more fluent. That sounds like it would be the best solution. They bring a translator and I can speak Spanish to the patient and English if needed for the translator. My problem is often the translator for the family involves a minor child who doesn't always understand. This is why I'm learning the language. It would make an interesting discussion for another day. These are some others:


Orthoses = Ortesis (accent on O)AFO = Ortesis de pieBack brace = Faja (faha)UCBL foot orthoses = Plantilla (plantiya)

Paula, the word Ortesis, I believe is a made up word but surprisingly people
get it, though don't try to use it outside the US. I was in Argentina and
they use the word device to describe orthosis. The translation being
"aparato orthopedico", which is very literal but effective.
Good luck

AFO = I would call it a tobillera plastica con un tobillo de resorte (plastic ankle brace with a spring ankle joint)The translation for spinal brace is refuerzo espinal but you can use faja plastica de refuerzo espinal. You'll always have to explain in detail this things as they might not understand in the beginning. I always have pictures and sample of braces handy so I can show and tell.

Bragueros- would be used to describe a boot, ankle, neutral position, and can be laced or strapped.abrazaderas se usa en la pierna- can be used to describe a KAFO and AFO. metal with posterior braceback brace- soporte en la espalda
aparato (device)
aparato para la espalda
aparato para el pie

We are also taught (we work at a major hospital) that as partially Spanish speaking practitioners who are not fully fluent in Spanish, we can only use out Spanish for limited, low risk uses (schedule an appointment, basic clinical interactions with low risk). There is liability to using Spanish as a limited Spanish speaking practitioner. For example, if you explained instructions in Spanish (yourself) to a diabetic patient and they did not properly understand because of your Spanish (even if they indicate that they understand),then they got an ulcer and lost their leg, they could sue you and you could be liable. Granted, this happens in all situations, but especially trans-lingual barriers. We are taught to use the "teach back" model (have them repeat your instructions back to you) to assess understanding before letting them go. Thus of course, means you have to understand what they are saying, which can be tricky.

I am not sure the liability risk is as high for smaller, private practices as it is for larger, government funded hospitals (who are required to provide translation services free of charge for all languages upon request). But it is an area to tread with care.


Hi there I'm a Hispanic Orthotist. But to help you out better the main word will be "soporte" which is word for brace and would just need to add the body/limb part for example: Soporte de espalda (back brace) can't really use LSO since most abbreviations are in English. For UCBLs you can use "plantillas" pronounced Plan-ti-yas which means inserts for feet. It's pretty basic just learn your main body parts in Spanish and add "Soporte de" [body part]


Hi Paula, the word Ortesis would be adequate to describe any Orthotic device, if you want to be specific for foot orthotics you can use the word ''plantillas", for lower and upper extremity orthosis the word "ferula' can be also utilized for instance an AFO I would describe as "ferula para pie y tobillo"
I hope this helps.


Again thanks to everyone who responded. I will add what my Argentinian friend told me: Las abrazaderas de dan soporte en la pierna.
That is abrazar means to wrap around or hug. So I guess the translations would be wrap around support for the (body part). I'm not finding it particularly scientific but
again there are so many ways to say something. It seems the simplest way is the best.
Paula Martinek LPO