DPO (Diploma in Prosthetics and Orthotics)

Last Updated on July 30, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

Hi readers! In this post, we will deal with a Diploma certificate course related to the field of prosthetics and orthotics. Here, we will have an in-depth analysis of Diploma in Prosthetics and Orthotics course.

If you want to pursue an advanced course related to this domain, you may refer the following post – Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics course. Yes, it is the Bachelor’s Degree version of this course. Being a Bachelor’s Degree course, it is much more valued than the Diploma program!

In this post, you will find all the important details that you need to know about Diploma in Prosthetics and Orthotics course. Here, I’ve covered the following details – duration, eligibility criteria, scope, colleges, admission, syllabus, career prospects and admission process.

Here is a quick overview of the program –

It is a Diploma certificate program. This course is also known by the short name of DPO.

If you want to pursue a job oriented course related to rehabilitation science, this course will be of help to you. To be precise, this particular course deals with locomotor disabilities and assistive devices related to these disabilities.

What is DPO course all about? What it is like to pursue this course? Will I get a good job after completing this course? What’s the course content like? You will find answers to these questions in the next section. Here it is –

Diploma in Prosthetics and Orthotics: An Introduction

As the name suggests, this is a Diploma certificate course. On course completion, successful candidates will obtain a certificate of completion from relevant authority/certifying body.

Technically, DPO is a paramedical course. This course caters to the needs of allied healthcare sector.

At its core, this program is related to the field of rehabilitation science. To be precise, this program deals with locomotor disabilities – an important part of rehabilitation science.

Prosthetics and orthotics primarily deals with the rehabilitation of persons suffering from locomotor disabilities or neuromuscular disorders. Apart from them, this domain also assists people suffering from – sports injuries, accidents, foot disorders, muscular pain, age related issues etc. This discipline also plays an important role in the pre and post surgery management of amputees.

Let us take a closer look at the domain of prosthetics. It deals with the use of artificial limbs to improve the lifestyle and functioning of persons with limb loss. Artificial limbs are also known as prostheses.

Orthotics deals with the design and fabrication of orthoses. What is orthoses, you may ask. It acts as a support and controlling agent to the weakened and deformed regions of the body of a person.

Collectively, prosthetics and orthotics deals with the design, fabrication and application of artificial limbs and external support braces for physically challenged persons. It consists of elements of medical science and technology.

The course will train you in areas such as –

• Relevant materials (used to make prostheses and orthoses)
• Design
• Alighment
• Fabrication
• Cosmetic appearance
• Understanding the needs of the user
• Educating/training the user
• And more…

Persons dealing with locomotor disabilities require special services and assistive devices. The right type of assistive device can help them lead a better life. The device can help improve the quality of their life!

The task of designing and developing these devices rests in the hands of skilled prosthetics and orthotics professionals. If you want to build a decent career in this sector, DPO course will be of help to you.

Let us take a closer look at the course details. In the next section, you will find the following details – duration, eligibility criteria, colleges, scope, admission, fees and more.

Course details

Type of course

It is a Diploma certificate course.

Duration

The course duration is two years. It may vary slightly from one institute to another.

Eligibility criteria

Minimum educational qualification required to pursue this course is – completed 12th standard with Science stream subjects.

Colleges

Here are some of the popular colleges offering this course in India –

• Rehabilitation Council of India
• Christian Medical College
• Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Health Sciences
• National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research
• National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities
• All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Admission process

Admission process varies from one college to another. Reputed institutes carry out merit based admission process. Some other colleges carry out direct or donation based admission process. You may also check – BPO course.

Fees

Tuition fees depends upon the following factors – type of college (Government or self-financing), scholarship status of the student, rating of the college etc. On an average, tuition fees could be anywhere between 10-40K INR per year. Government colleges are known to charge relatively lower tuition fees (around 2-5K per INR per year).

You may also check – MPO course

Syllabus

Here are some of the important subjects present in the curriculum –

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Material science
• Workshop technology
• Applied mechanics
• Biomechanics
• Basic electronics
• Prosthetics science
• Orthotics science
• Pathology
• Orthopaedics
• Physiotherapy

Career prospects

After completing this course, you will be able to find work at places such as – rehabilitation clinics, firms manufacturing prostheses and orthoses, relevant R&D firms, healthcare institutes, rehabilitation science educational institutes etc.

Vishnu Nambiar

I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.

I share articles related to courses, colleges, careers, exam tips and more here.