Term | Definition |
ankylosis | Stiffening and immobility of a joint as a result of disease, trauma, surgery, or abnormal bone fusion |
carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) | Painful condition resulting from compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel (wrist canal through which the flexor tendons and the median nerve pass) |
claudication | Lameness, limping |
contracture | Fibrosis of connective tissue in the skin, fascia, muscle, or joint capsule that prevents normal mobility of the related tissue or joint |
crepitation | Dry, grating sound or sensation caused by bone ends rubbing together, indicating a fracture or joint destruction |
electromyography | Use of electrical stimulation to record the strength of muscle contraction |
exacerbation | Increase in severity of a disease or any of its symptoms |
ganglion cyst | tumor of tendon sheath or joint capsule, commonly found in the wrist |
hemarthrosis | Effusion of blood into a joint cavity |
hypotonia | Loss of muscular tone or a diminished resistance to passive stretching |
multiple myeloma | Primary malignant tumor that infiltrates the bone and red bone marrow |
osteophyte | Bony outgrowth that occasionally develops on the vertebra and may exert pressure on the spinal cord also called bone spur. |
phantom limb | Perceived sensation, following amputation of a limb, that the limb still exists |
prosthesis | Replacement of a missing part by an artificial substitute, such as an artificial extremity |
rickets | Form of osteomalacia in children caused by vitamin D deficiency; also called rachitis |
sequestrum | Fragment of necrosed bone that has become separated from surrounding tissue |
spondylolisthesis | Any slipping (subluxation) of a vertebra from its normal position in relationship to the one beneath it |
spondylosis | Degeneration of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae and related tissues may cause pressure on nerve roots with subsequent pain or paresthesia in the extremities. |
sprain | Tearing of ligament tissue that may be slight, moderate, or complete |
strain | To exert physical force in a manner that may result in injury, usually muscular |
subluxation | Partial or incomplete dislocation |
talipes equinovarus | Congenital deformity of one or both feet in which the foot is pulled downward and laterally to the side; also called clubfoot |
arthrography | Series of radiographs taken after injection of contrast material into a joint cavity, especially the knee or shoulder, to outline the contour of the joint |
bone density tests | Radiographic procedures that use low-energy x-ray absorption to measure bone mineral density. They are used to determine if demineralization from osteoporosis has occurred. |
computed tomography (CT) | maging technique that uses an x-ray beam and a computer to make a series of cross-sectional images of a body part, which together make up a three-dimensional view of the area scanned; formerly called computerized axial tomography (CAT) |
discography | Radiological examination of the intervertebral disk structures by injecting a contrast medium |
lumbosacral spinal radiography | Radiography of the five lumbar vertebrae and the fused sacral vertebrae, including anteroposterior, lateral, and oblique views of the lower spine. |
myelography | Radiography of the spinal cord after injection of a contrast medium to identify and study spinal distortions caused by tumors, cysts, herniated intervertebral disks, or other lesions |
scintigraphy | Nuclear medicine procedure that visualizes various tissues and organs after administration of a radionuclide. |
bone scintigraphy | Scintigraphy procedure in which radionuclide is injected intravenously and taken up into the bone. |
Closed reduction | Reduction procedure where fractured bones are realigned by manipulation rather than surgery. |
Open Reduction | Reduction procedure that treats bone fractures by placing the bones in their proper position using surgery. |
casting | Application of a solid, stiff dressing formed with plaster of Paris or other material to a body part to immobilize it during the healing process |
splinting | Application of an orthopedic device to an injured body part for immobilization, stabilization, and protection during the healing process |
traction | Use of weights and pulleys to align or immobilize a fracture and facilitate the healing process |
amputation | Partial or complete removal of an extremity due to trauma or circulatory disease |
arthrocentesis | Puncture of a joint space using a needle to remove accumulated fluid |
arthroclasia | Surgical breaking of an ankylosed joint to provide movement |
arthroscopy | Visual examination of the interior of a joint and its structures using a thin, flexible fiberoptic scope called an arthroscope that contains a magnifying lens, fiberoptic light, and miniature camera that projects images on a monitor |
bone grafting | Implanting or transplanting bone tissue from another part of the body or from another person to serve as replacement for damaged or missing bone tissue |
bursectomy | Excision of bursa (padlike sac or cavity found in connective tissue, usually in the vicinity of joints) |
laminectomy | Excision of the posterior arch of a vertebra. Most commonly performed to relieve the symptoms of a ruptured intervertebral (slipped) disk. |
revision surgery | Surgery repeated to correct problems of a previously unsuccessful surgery or to replace a worn out prothesis |
Bone revision surgery | Revision surgery are often required to correct bone infection, misalignments of bones, broken prosthesis, and fractures of the bone around the prostheses. |
sequestrectomy | Excision of a sequestrum (segment of necrosed bone) |
synovectomy | Excision of a synovial membrane |
total hip replacement | Surgical procedure to replace a hip joint damaged by a degenerative disease, commonly arthritis |
Calcium Supplements | Treat and prevent hypocalcemia.
Names: Calcium Carbonate (Calci-Mix, Tums); Calcium Citrate (Cal-Citrate 250, Citracal) |
Gold Salts | Treat rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting activity within the immune system.
Names: auranofin (Ridaura); aurothioglucose (Solganal) |
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) | Decrease Pain and suppress inflammation
Names: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin); naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) |
Salicylates | Relieve mild to moderate pain and reduce inflammation
Names: aspirin (Acuprin, Aspergum, Bayer Aspirin); magnesium salicylate (Magan, Mobidin) |
skeletal muscle relaxants | Relieve muscle spasms and stiffness
Names: cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril); methocarbamol and aspirin (Robaxin) |
ACL | anterior cruciate ligament |
AE | above the elbow |
AK | above the knee |
BE | barium enema; below the elbow |
BK | below the knee |
C1, C2, and so on | first cervical vertebra, second cervical vertebra, and so on |
Ca | calcium; cancer |
CDH | congenital dislocation of the hip |
CTS | carpal tunnel syndrome |
CT | computed tomography |
DEXA, DXA | dual energy x-ray absorptiometry |
DJD | degenerative joint disease |
EMG | electromyography |
Fx | fracture |
MG | myasthenia gravis |
HD | hemodialysis; hip disarticul ation; hearing distance |
HNP | herniated nucleus pulposus (herniated disk) |
HP | hemipelvectomy |
IS | intracostal space |
IM | intramuscular; infectious mononucleosis |
IV | intravenous |
KD | knee disarticulation |
L1, L2, and so on | first lumbar vertebra, second lumbar vertebra, and so on |
LS | lumbosacral spine |
MRI | magnetic resonance imaging |
MS | musculoskeletal; multiple sclerosis; mental status; mitral stenosis |
NSAIDs | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs |
ORTH, ortho | orthopedics |
P | phosphorus; pulse |
PCL | posterior cruciate ligament |
RA | rheumatoid arthritis; right atrium |
RF | rheumatoid factor; radio frequency |
ROM | range of motion |