Orthopedic Medicine Glossary
A helpful guide of common terms used by your orthopedic surgeon.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ACL
Anterior Cruciate Ligament: the ACL passes through the center of the knee attaching to the front of the tibia. The main function of the ACL is to keep the tibia from sliding forward of the femur and to provide rotational stability to the joint. The ACL is commonly torn in sports injuries.
Arthritis
A term used to refer to an inflammatory disorder affecting the joints. Arthritis often comes with joint stiffness and pain. It may also include redness, swelling, and a decreased range of motion.
Arthrogram
A series of images taken of a joint after a contrast medium has been injected. An arthrogram is commonly done by fluoroscopy or MRI. The injection is commonly done under local anesthetic.
Arthroscopy
Used for certain joint conditions, Arthroscopy is a minimally-invasive treatment or diagnostic procedure. The procedure includes a small, lighted optic tube known as an arthroscope. This tube is inserted into the joint through a small incision and projects images of the joint onto a screen.
Avascular necrosis (AVN)
A disease impacting the bone tissues, avascular necrosis is a result of disrupted or impaired blood supply. AVN often results in severe pain and a weakened bone susceptible to collapse.
Baker’s Cyst
A fluid-filled sac found behind the knee, also known as a popliteal cyst. A Baker’s Cyst will likely cause a feeling of tightness and may cause a bulge behind the knee.
Bunion
Swelling or inflammation impacting the bursa on the first joint of the big toe is known as a bunion.
Bursa
A bursa is a fluid-filled sac located between a bone and a tendon.
Bursitis
When a bursa becomes inflamed, it is known as bursitis. It is most common in the shoulder, knee, or elbow joint and may include symptoms such as decreased mobility, pain, and tenderness.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Impacting the wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve is put under pressure. It comes with many symptoms including pain, tingling in the fingers, and weakness.
Cartilage
An elastic tissue lining the joints of the body, Cartilage is tough and helps to cushion against shock.
Cast
Commonly used to hold a broken bone in place, a cast helps to prevent movement, including muscle contractions, while the injury heals. Casts will immobilize a specific area of the body, typically a joint, to ensure proper healing.
CAT Scan
A combination of computer technology and x-rays used for diagnostic imaging is known as a CAT scan. This type of scan produces cross-sectional images of the body, both vertically and horizontally. CAT scans are used to view bones, fat, organs, and muscles with more detail than a general x-ray.
Clavicle (collarbone)
A thin, curved bone between the shoulder blade in sternum. The clavicle is prone to injuries like Distal Clavicle Osteolysis when put under excessive stress.
Contusion
A bruise or an injury where the skin is not broken is known as a contusion.
Cortisone
A pain relief injection used to alleviate issues, such as tendonitis or bursitis. Cortisone is a steroid often injected into an arthritic joint to provide relief from the pain.
DeQuervain’s syndrome
Impacting the wrist, DeQuervain’s syndrome is commonly found on the side of the wrist closest to the thumb. This syndrome is caused by tendons rubbing against their associated sheath. It can be treated with a cortisone injection, surgery, or a brace to help take the pressure off the tendons.
Dislocation
Often caused by extreme force on a ligament, which results in two bones in a joint separating, a dislocation is common in shoulders. A dislocation may also impact a ball-and-socket joint when the ball joint is partially or completely removed from the socket.
Dupuytren’s contracture
When the fascia, a layer of deep tissue under the skin of the palm, shrinks or thickens, it is known as a Dupuytren’s contracture. A common symptom of this injury is the fingers becoming drawn into a bent position.
EMG (Electromyogram)
A nerve or muscle test recording the electrical activity.
Femur
The thighbone is known as the femur.
Fracture
A crack, rupture, or break in the bone or cartilage is known as a fracture.
Ganglion cyst
Often located on the hand or wrist, a Ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled cyst on the tendon or the top of a joint.
Gout
Commonly known to attack smaller joints, including the big toe, Gout is the result of a defect in body chemistry. It is caused by uric acid found in the joint fluid and can be treated with medication or changes in diet.
Hammertoe
When a toe, most commonly the second toe, is permanently flexed downward in a claw-like shape, it is known as hammertoe.
Heel Spur
A bone growth happening on the heel bone is known as a heel spur.
Herniated disc
When the cushion located between the vertebrae of the spine is pushed outside the normal position causing a rupture to the outer cartilage, it’s known as a herniated disc. This type of injury may be accompanied by many symptoms including numbness or weakness in the legs or arms, along with pain.
Humerus
The humerus is the bone found in the upper arm.
Inflammation
The body’s reaction to disease or injury, inflammation results in pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Joint
A joint is where two or more bones meet, such as the elbow, knee, ankle, and shoulder.
Knee Replacement (arthroplasty)
An orthopedic procedure in which portions of damaged bone and cartilage are removed from the knee and replaced mechanical joint. The purpose of knee replacement surgery is to relieve pain and increase mobility.
Labrum
The soft tissue rim around the socket portion of the hip and shoulder. Injuries often result in pain and instability.
Lateral Epicondylitis
Commonly known as tennis elbow, Lateral Epicondylitis is damage to one of the tendons responsible for extending the wrist.
Ligaments
Fibrous tissue with a white and shiny appearance, a ligament is a flexible band connecting various bones and cartilage. Ligaments also help bind joints together.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
More commonly referred to as an MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a diagnostic procedure using radio frequencies, large magnets, and computer technology to create detailed images of structures and organs within the body.
Medial Epicondylitis
A type of pain caused by tendon damage impacting the tendons used to bend the wrist toward the palm. Medial Epicondylitis also goes by many other names including golfer’s elbow, baseball elbow, and suitcase elbow.
Menisci (Meniscus)
Found in the knees, menisci are crescent-shaped discs of connective tissues acting as shock absorbers. They help to cushion the lower leg from the rest of the body’s weight.
Morton’s neuroma
Typically found between the third and fourth toes, Morton’s neuroma is a benign nerve tissue growth. It comes with common symptoms, such as stinging toes, numbness in the foot, and/or burning or sharp pain in the ball of the foot.
Musculoskeletal System
The entire body’s system of muscles and skeleton, including nerves, tendons, joints, and ligaments.
Myelogram
An x-ray study allowing careful evaluation of the nerve roots and spinal cord, Myelogram includes injecting contrast material or dye into the spinal cord.
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Also known as an Orthopaedist, an Orthopaedic Surgeon diagnoses and treats patients suffering from disease or injury within the musculoskeletal system. This type of surgeon will also help manage rehabilitation and offer prevention protocols.
Orthopaedic Surgery
The specialty of Orthopaedic Surgeons is known as Orthopaedic Surgery. This specialty includes diagnosing, treating, rehabilitating, and the prevention of disease and injury within the musculoskeletal system of the body.
Osteoarthritis
Wear and tear on the joints may cause swelling, stiffness, pain, and inflammation known as osteoarthritis. The chronic deterioration, usually in older patients, of joint cartilage, is the cause of the pain and swelling.
Osteoporosis
When bone mass and density cannot be replaced as fast as it’s removed, it’s a condition known as Osteoporosis. The results of this condition are weaker bones prone to deformities and fractures.
Overuse Conditions
Injuries affecting the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and/or bones due to minor trauma involving soft-tissue injuries are known as overuse conditions.
Patella
The kneecap.
Plantar Fascia
Connecting fibrous tissue formed in a tough, long band running from the ball of the foot to the heel.
Plantar fasciitis
An injury including inflammation of the fibrous tissue running from the base of the toes to the heel bone is known as plantar fasciitis. Symptoms often include mild heel pain, especially in the morning after waking. Without treatment, this injury may cause issues with the knee, foot, hip, and back.
Platelet-rich plasma
Platelet-rich plasma is substance used in plasma therapy to promote healing. The plasma is injected into the specific area of the body that needs healing. Plasma comes from the blood and provides helpful proteins that promote clotting.
Prosthesis
An artificial replacement part for the body is known as a prosthesis.
R.I.C.E.
An acronym standing for Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, the R.I.C.E Method is a common treatment for sprains, strains, and other injuries.
Radius
One of the two bones found in the forearm is known as the radius. It is larger at the wrist and small at the elbow and allows for rotation at the wrist.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Most commonly affecting the feet and hands, Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory disease found in the lining of the joint.
Rotator cuff
The tendons and muscles connecting the shoulder joint and the arm are known as the rotator cuff. Rotator cuff tears are a common injury among athletes.
Scoliosis
A sideways or lateral curvation of the spine, often causing the appearance of a person leaning is known as scoliosis.
Shin Splints
Painful condition of the shin resulting from repetitive high impact activity.
Shoulder impingement
When a bursa in the shoulder or a rotator cuff tendon becomes compressed when the arm is raised, it is known as shoulder impingement. This type of injury may come with shoulder or arm pain, most commonly occurring when lifting the arm.
SLAP lesion
When the top of the cartilage lining the shoulder joint socket (labrum) becomes torn, it is known as a SLAP lesion. This type of injury often requires arthroscopic surgery to repair the tear or remove the bicep.
Soft tissue
Muscles, tendons, nerves, and ligaments found throughout the musculoskeletal system are known as the soft tissue of the body.
Spinal stenosis
When the spinal canal becomes narrow and causes pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord, it is known as spinal stenosis. Usually, this type of injury comes with lower back pain and leg pain.
Sprain
When the ligaments of a joint become stretched or they completely tear, it’s a sprain. A sprain will be accompanied by inflammation, discoloration, swelling, and hemorrhage. Sprains are most common in the ankle and the knee.
Strain
A partial tear or stretching of the ligaments or tendons is known as a strain.
Stress Fracture
When overuse or excessive activity causes a small crack or hairline fracture in the bone, it is known as a stress fracture.
Synovial Fluid
A sticky and clear fluid released by the synovial membrane, the synovial fluid provides a lubricant for tendons and joints.
Synovium
The thin membrane found in joints capable of secreting fluid to allow movement within the joint is the synovium.
Tendon
Fibrous tissue formed into a tough band connecting muscles to bones and other tissues is a tendon.
Tendonitis
When a tendon suffers from inflammation, it’s known as tendonitis.
Tennis elbow
Painful condition involving breakdown of the tissue on the outer side of the elbow is known as tennis elbow. It is usually caused by twisting and straining the forearm excessively.
Tibia
The larger bone of the lower leg is the tibia or shin bone.
Total joint replacement
When a prosthesis is used to replace a damaged or arthritic joint, the surgical procedure is known as a total joint replacement.
Trigger finger
If a finger becomes difficult to bend or straighten, it is known as a trigger finger. This is an abnormal condition caused by inflammation or thickening of tendons found in the fingers. Tendons could become stuck and snap back into the straightened position quickly.
Trochanteric bursitis
Trochanteric bursitis occurs when a bursa (fluid-filled sac) forms in an area of friction around the outside of the hip. It can cause mild to severe, and sometimes debilitating pain.
Ulnar Bone
Along with the radius, one of the two bones of the forearm.
Ulnar Nerve
The ulnar nerve, otherwise known as the funny bone starts in the neck and travels done the arm (close to the ulna bone) and into the fingers. Pressure or stretching of the ulna nerve can sometimes cause cubital tunnel syndrome.
Ultrasound
Used to diagnose internal organs, an ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to form an image.
X-Ray
Used to diagnose bones, organs, and internal tissues, an x-ray uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to create an image.