Which statement about memory in orthotic materials is incorrect?

Which statement about memory in orthotic materials is incorrect?

• A. High memory means the material tends to return to its original shape after deformation.
• B. Memory relates to the material's ability to recover after deformation.
• C. Memory has no impact on the dimensional stability after reheating.
• D. High memory materials may influence fit after heating.

Answer: (C)

Memory in orthotic materials refers to shape memory—the material’s tendency to return toward a stored original form after deformation, especially when heated. When memory is high, the material reliably recovers toward that original shape after being deformed during use or during remolding, which is why statements describing memory as the material’s ability to recover after deformation are true. Heating can trigger this stored shape response, so the material may change dimensions and reshapes toward its original geometry, affecting how the orthosis fits. Therefore, the claim that memory has no impact on dimensional stability after reheating isn’t accurate, because the memory behavior drives changes in dimensions when heat is applied. High memory materials may influence fit after heating because their strong tendency to revert can tighten or loosen contact with the foot depending on how the material was deformed before heating.

Memory in orthotic materials refers to shape memory—the material’s tendency to return toward a stored original form after deformation, especially when heated. When memory is high, the material reliably recovers toward that original shape after being deformed during use or during remolding, which is why statements describing memory as the material’s ability to recover after deformation are true. Heating can trigger this stored shape response, so the material may change dimensions and reshapes toward its original geometry, affecting how the orthosis fits. Therefore, the claim that memory has no impact on dimensional stability after reheating isn’t accurate, because the memory behavior drives changes in dimensions when heat is applied. High memory materials may influence fit after heating because their strong tendency to revert can tighten or loosen contact with the foot depending on how the material was deformed before heating.