Overview

The Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) at the Faculty of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences is a specialized rehabilitation discipline combining medical sciences and engineering principles. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, Orthotics and Prosthetics encompasses the systematic clinical evaluation, prescription, design, fabrication, fitting, and biomechanical assessment of orthoses and prostheses. Our field is dedicated to restoring mobility, managing physical impairments, and serving individuals with congenital limb differences or amputations.

History and Evolution

The practical origin of Orthotics and Prosthetics in Iran dates back to 1967 (1346) with the initiative of the Red Lion and Sun Society (now Iranian Red Crescent Society) establishing training programs and specialized clinics in Tehran. Academic higher education formally began in 1983 with an Associate Degree, which was upgraded to a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in 1987. Curriculum benchmarks were revised nationally in 1995, 2010, and 2020 to integrate modern computer-aided design (CAD/CAM), advanced materials science, and electronic technologies. At Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS), the Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics officially began admitting B.Sc. students in October 2024 (September 1403), serving as a strategic academic and clinical center in eastern Iran.

Academic & Research Scope

The academic framework merges mechanical biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, and clinical rehabilitation teamwork:

• Academic Degrees: Offering a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Orthotics and Prosthetics.
• Core Interventions: Fabrication of orthoses for deformity correction, functional support of weakened limbs, and structural design of upper and lower limb prostheses as well as aesthetic prosthetic aids.
• Clinical & Laboratory Diagnostics: Gait pattern analysis, force plate evaluation, foot scanning, muscle power measurement, active/passive range-of-motion testing, and dynamic casting.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Active participation within multidisciplinary clinical care teams alongside physiatrists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.

Mission and Vision

• Our Mission: To train highly skilled, ethical O&P specialists; advance diagnostic and therapeutic rehabilitation services for individuals with musculoskeletal impairments; and improve society’s quality of life through preventive screening and evidence-based devices.
• Our Vision: To become a regional center of academic and technological excellence in orthotics and prosthetics education, pioneering advanced biomechanical research and innovative prosthetic design in Iran.