will AI replace orthotists?

Your role sits in a strong position. AI isn't encroaching on what orthotists do. The field is growing at 13.3% over the next decade, and demand for your work is driven by aging populations and rising musculoskeletal conditions. There's no automation pressure here. What keeps you irreplaceable is the physical and human work. Fitting and testing devices on actual patients, measuring them precisely, adjusting for comfort and function, selecting materials based on individual anatomy. Teaching patients how to use and care for their devices. Designing custom orthoses and prostheses based on a physician's prescription and your own clinical judgment. These tasks require hands-on skill, clinical reasoning, and direct patient interaction. AI can't do any of it. Your competitive edge is straightforward. As your patients age and healthcare gets more personalized, the demand for someone who can translate a medical need into a working device only grows. Stay sharp on materials science and fitting technique, and you're positioned well.