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A
Abduction = (physiology) moving of a body part away from the central axis of the body
Acute = refers to a recently occurring injury
Anterior = adj : of or near the head end or toward the front plane of the body [ant:posterior]
Achilles tendon = n.The large tendon connecting the heel bone to the calf muscle of the leg
Arthritis = a general term referring to inflammation of a joint or joints. See Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis for definitions on types of arthritis.
B
Bouchard's nodes = bony formation around the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the fingers. Typically seen in osteoarthritis.
Boutonniere deformity = a finger deformity characterized by PIP joint flexion and the DIP joint hyperextension.
Bursitis = inflammation of the bursa (sac) around joints due to trauma, overuse or disease.
C
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) = compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Symptoms include part of the hand (generally the thumb, index, long and half of the ring finger), falling asleep at night, pain during the day with overuse, and weakness. Acute symptoms may be alleviated by splinting, chronic symptoms may require surgery to release the entrapped nerve.
Carpometacarpal (CM) = relating to, situated between, or joining a carpus and metacarpus <a carpometacarpal joint> <a carpometacarpal ligament>
Cerebral Palsy = impaired muscle power and coordination from brain damage usually occurring at or before birth.
Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) = A.K.A. Stroke - brain damage caused by rupture or bleeding of an artery or loss of oxygen to the brain due to a clot in an artery. May result in muscular weakness or paralysis typically on one side of the body.
Cervical = Of or relating to a neck or a cervix.
Chondromalacia patellae = pain over the front of the knee with softening of the articular cartilage of the patella
CMC joint = Carpometacarpal joint. The base joint of the thumb. The most common site for arthritis in the hand.
Collateral ligament = the ligaments on the side of a joint.
Con·tra = prep. In contrast or opposition to; against.
Contracture = tightness or restriction of a joint or of the tissue around a joint that prevents motion in one or more directions.
D
Degenerative joint disease = A.K.A. osteoarthritis, a slowly progressive disorder of the joints caused by deterioration of the cartilage and by secondary bone formation.
deQuervain's tenosynovitis = inflammation in the synovial covering of the tendons to the thumb. Results in pain at wrist level with bending of the wrist and/or thumb.
DIP joint = distal interphalangeal joint - the small knuckle of the fingers. The joint formed between the middle phalanx and the distal phalanx.
Dislocation = disruption of a joint where there is a loss of contact between the bones that make up a joint.
Distal = : situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point: as located away from the center of the body <the distal end of a bone>
Drop-foot = n. Paralysis or weakness of the dorsiflexor muscles of the foot and ankle, resulting in dragging of the foot and toes. Also called foot-drop.
E
Edema = A.K.A. inflammation. Accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues due to trauma or disease. Chronic edema restricts tissue motion and may lead to long term scarring and loss of motion.
Edematous = adj : swollen with an excessive accumulation of fluid
Epicondylitis = A.K.A. Tennis Elbow. Inflammation of the tendons and ligaments around the edpicondyles of a bone. Most commonly occurs at the elbow.
Extension = straightening of a joint. In the hand, extension brings the fingers away from the palm.
F
Flexion = bending of a joint. In the hand, flexion brings the fingers towards the palm.
Femoral = Of, relating to, or located in the thigh or femur
Femur = A bone of the leg situated between the pelvis and knee in humans. It is the largest and strongest bone in the body.
G
Gamekeeper's thumb = a tear or stretching of the collateral ligaments of the thumb MP joint. Caused by a forceful twisting motion or a fall on an outstretched hand. (A.K.A. Skier's thumb).
Gluteus me·di·us = the middle of the three muscles in each buttock that arises from the outer surface of the ilium, that is inserted into the greater trochanter of the femur, and that acts to abduct and medially rotate the thigh.
Gluteus min·i·mus = the innermost of the three muscles in each buttock that arises from the outer surface of the ilium, that is inserted into the greater trochanter of the femur, and that acts similarly to the gluteus medius
H
Heberden's nodes = growth of excess bone or enlargement of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP). Common in Osteoarthritis.
Humeral = Of, relating to, or located in the region of the humerus or the shoulder.
Hypermobility = excessive movement of a joint. Commonly called "double-jointed". May be due to naturally lax or loose ligaments and muscles or to diseases such as arthritis or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. .
I
Inflammation = A.K.A. edema. Accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues due to trauma or disease. Chronic edema restricts tissue motion and may lead to long term scarring and loss of motion.
Lateral deviation = movement sideways.
Ligament = a band of fibrous tissue connecting two bones or connecting tendon to bone.
Lumbar = Of, near, or situated in the part of the back and sides between the lowest ribs and the pelvis.
M
Mallet finger deformity = deformity characterized by an inability to extend the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP). Commonly due to trauma (often called a "baseball finger") or osteoarthritis. If acute, may be corrected with a stabile splint support.
Metacarpus = The part of the human hand that includes the five bones between the fingers and the wrist.
Metacarpophalangeal (MP) = Of or relating to the metacarpus and the phalanges of the hand, especially to the articulations between them.
Monteggia fracture = a fracture in the proximal part of the ulna with dislocation of the head of the radius
Monteggia, Giovanni Battista (1762–1815), Italian surgeon. Monteggia is remembered for his description (circa 1810) of a form of dislocation of the hip in which the head of the femur is displaced toward the anterior superior iliac spine
MP joint = metacarpophalangeal joint - the large knuckles of the fingers. The joint formed by the metacarpal bone in the hand and the proximal phalanx of the finger. In the thumb, the MP joint (A.K.A. MCP joint) is the middle joint. When the measurement for a brace requires measurement of the M.P. joint, measure from the wrist joint with the hand to the middle finger joint with the hand.
Nightstick Fracture = Nightstick fracture of the ulna is the second most common single bone forearm fracture, generally resulting from blunt forearm trauma. The junction of the middle and distal thirds of the ulna is mechanically the most susceptible to fracture because of its cross sectional geometry at that point (Hsu). Because this is usually a low energy injury, it may be treated in a cast with close observation, reserving plate or intramedullary fixation for displaced fractures or those failing closed treatment. Isolated radial shaft fractures are less common, more often presenting as a Galeazzi fracture-dislocation.
Occipital bone = n.A curved, trapezoid compound bone that forms the lower posterior part of the skull; the occipital.
Osgood–Schlat·ter's disease = an osteochondritis of the tuberosity of the tibia that occurs especially among adolescent males.
Orthotics = The science that deals with the use of specialized mechanical devices to support or supplement weakened or abnormal joints or limbs
Orthosis = An external orthopedic appliance that prevents or assists the movement of the spine or limbs.
Orthotist = A specialist in Orthotics
Osteoarthritis = A.K.A. Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), a slowly progressive disorder of the joints caused by deterioration of the cartilage and by secondary bone formation.
P
PIP joint = proximal interphalangeal joint - the middle knuckle of the fingers. The joint formed between the proximal phalanx and the middle phalanx.
Patellae = A flat triangular bone located at the front of the knee joint. Also called kneecap.
Pendulous = adj. 1. Hanging loosely; suspended so as to swing or sway. 2. Wavering; undecided
Phalanges = bone between the finger and toe joints.
Plantar fascia = Function: noun: a very strong dense fibrous membrane of the sole of the foot that lies beneath the skin and superficial layer of fat and binds together the deeper structures
Popliteal = Of or relating to the hollow part of the leg behind the knee joint
Posterior = adj : at or near the hind end in quadrupeds or toward the spine in primates [ant: anterior ] n 1: the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on;
Pros·thet·ics = The branch of medicine or surgery that deals with the production and application of artificial body parts.
Prosthetist = A specialist in prosthetics
Proximal = adj : situated nearest to point of attachment or origin; "the proximal end of a bone" [ant:distal]
Radial aspects of: of, relating to, or situated near the radius or the thumb side of the hand or forearm <the radial aspect of the hand>
Repetitive stress injury = A.K.A. Cumulative Trauma - trauma or damage to muscle, tendon or ligament due to excessive use or repeated trauma to a body part. May result in acute or chronic (long term) inflammation, weakness, pain or nerve injury.
Rheumatoid arthritis - a systemic disease (affecting multiple body systems, not isolated to bone), characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovium. Often leads to severe deformity in the fingers and hands.
S
Skier's thumb = a tear or stretching of the collateral ligaments of the thumb MP joint. Caused by a fall on an outstretched hand especially when holding onto ski poles. (A.K.A. Gamekeeper's thumb)
Spasticity = n : the quality of moving or acting in spasms
Spinal cord injury = injury, compression, or disruption of the spinal cord resulting in partial or complete paralysis.
Sprain = a forceful pull or twisting of the ligaments of a joint resulting in inflammation, swelling and pain.
Stroke = A.K.A. Cerebral vascular accident - brain damage caused by rupture or bleeding of an artery or loss of oxygen to the brain due to a clot in an artery. May result in muscular weakness or paralysis typically on one side of the body.
Subluxation = an incomplete dislocation where a portion of the bones that make up a joint remain in partial contact.
Swan neck deformity - Finger deformity characterized by proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint hyperextension and distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) joint flexion. May be caused by trauma or disease, most commonly rheumatoid arthritis.
Synovitis = Inflammation of the synovium.
Synovium = the tissue lining the joints, tendon sheaths (coverings), and bursa. In the joints, synovium produces the fluid that lubricates the joint to facilitate movement.
T
Tendinitis = tendon inflammation
Tenosynovitis = inflammation of the synovial lining around a tendon.
Thoracic = adj : of or relating to the chest or thorax; "pectoral organ" [syn: pectoral]
Type I thumb deformity = Thumb is fixed with the MCP joint (the middle joint) in flexion and the IP joint (the end joint) in hyperextension. May be due to tightness of the ligaments or to disruption of the joint capsule and ligaments due to synovitis.
U
Ulnar deviation = A.K.A. Ulnar drift. Deviation of the fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints (MP or MCP) towards the ulnar side (little finger side) of the hand
Ulnar = The bone extending from the elbow to the wrist on the side opposite to the thumb in humans.
V
Volar subluxation = an incomplete dislocation in a downward direction. In the hand, most commonly occurs at the MP joints that displace towards the palm
