Abduction: Movement of a joint away from the center of the body.
Abrasion: Any injury which rubs off the surface of the skin.
AC Joint (Acromioclavicular joint): Joint of the shoulder where acromion process of the shoulder blade and the distal end of the collarbone meet; most shoulder separations occur at this point.
Archilles Tendon: The thick tendon at the distal portion of the calf that connect the gastrocnemius (calf) muscle to the heel.
Adduction: Movement of a joint toward the center of the body.
Adhesion: Abnormal adherence of collagen fibers to surrounding structures during immobilization following trauma or as a complication of surgery which restricts normal elasticity of the structures involved; or scar tissue which forms after trauma or surgery which can restrict normal motion.
Aerobic: Exercise in which energy needed is supplied by oxygen inspired and is required for sustained periods of vigorous exercise with a continually high pulse rate.
Anabolic Steroids: Steroids that promote tissue growth by creating protein in an attempt to enhance muscle growth. The main anabolic steroid is testosterone (male sex hormones).
Anaerobic: Exercise without the use of oxygen as an energy source; short bursts of vigorous exercise.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): A primary stabilizing ligament within the center of the knee joint that prevents hyperextension and excessive rotation of the joint. A complete tear of the ACL necessitating reconstruction could require up to 12 months of rehabilitation.
Anterior Talofibular Ligament: A ligament of the ankle that connects the fibula (lateral ankle bone) to the talus. This ligament is oft times subject to a sprain.
Anti-Inflammatory: Any agent which prevents inflammation, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
Arteriogram: A film demonstrating arteries after injection of a dye.
Arthrogram: X-ray technique for joints using air and/or dye injected into the affected area; useful in diagnosing meniscus tears of the knee and rotator cuff tears of the shoulder.
Arthroscope: An instrument used to visualize the interior of a joint cavity.
Arthroscopy: A surgical examination of the internal structures of a joint by means of observation through an arthroscope. An arthroscopic procedure can be used to remove or repair damaged tissue or as a diagnostic procedure in order to inspect the extent of any damage or confirm a diagnosis.
Atrophy: To shrivel or shrink from disuse; as in muscular atrophy.
Baker’s Cyst: Localized swelling of a bursa sac in the back of the knee as a result of fluid that has escaped from the knee capsule. A Baker’s cyst indicates that there is a trauma inside the knee joint that leads to excessive fluid production.
Bone Scan: An imaging procedure in which a radioactive-labeled substance is injected into the body to determine the status of a bone injury. If the radioactive substance is taken up by the bone at the injury site, the injury will show as a ‘hot spot’ on the scan image. The bone scan is particularly useful in the diagnosis of stress fractures.
Bursa: A fluid-filled sac located in areas where friction is likely to occur. The bursa sac minimizes the friction, for example, between a tendon and bone.
Cartilage: Smooth, slippery substance preventing two ends of bones from rubbing together and grating. Most joints use this to cover bones next to each other. A meniscus is made of cartilage.
Charley Horse: A contrusion or bruise to any muscle resulting in intrmuscular bleeding.
CAT Scan (Computerized Tomography): Use of a computer to produce a cross-sectional view of the anatomical part being investigated from x-ray data.
Chondromalacia: Roughening of the articular cartilage. Best known for the roughening of the underside of the kneecap, which can occur in any kneecap injury.
Clavicle: Collarbone; the bone connecting the breastbone with the shoulder blade.
Closed Reduction: Re-alignment of a fracture or dislocation without surgery.
Coccyx: The ‘tailbone,’ a group of four vertebrae that are fused together to form a small triangular bone, located at the terminal end of the spine.
Concussion: Jarring injury of the brain resulting in dysfunction. It can be graded as mild, moderate or severe, depending on loss of consciousness, amnesia and loss of equilibrium.
Contusion: An injury to a muscle and tissues caused by a blow from a blunt object.
Corticosteroids: Used to suppress joint inflammation and inflammation in a bursa or near tendons.
Cryotherapy: A treatment with the use of cold.
Cyst: Abnormal sac containing liquid or semi-solid matter.
Degenerative Joint Disease: Changes in the joint surfaces as a result of repetitive trauma and ‘wear and tear’.
Deltoid Ligament: Ligament that connects the tibia to bones of the medial aspect of the foot and is primarily responsible for stability of the ankle on the medial side. Is sprained less frequently than other ankle ligaments.
Deltoid Muscle: Muscles at the top of the arm, just below the shoulder, responsible for shoulder motions in the front, side and back.
Disc, Intervertebral: A flat, rounded plate between each vertebrae of the spine. The disc consists of a thick fiber ring which surrounds a soft gel-like interior. It functions as a cushion and shock absorber for the spinal column.
Dislocation: Complete displacement of joint surfaces.
Electromyogram (EMG): Test to determine nerve function. Epiconondylitis - Inflammation of tendons at the elbow due to overuse. Common in tennis players (outer part of elbow) and golfers (inner part of elbow)
Epicondylitis: Inflammation in the elbow due to overuse. Common in tennis players (outer part of elbow) and golfers (inner part of elbow).
Etiology: Study of the cause of injury and disease.
Extension: Action of straightening of a joint as achieved by an extensor muscle.
Fascia: A connective tissue sheath consisting of fibrous tissue and fat which unites the skin to the underlying tissue.
Fat Percentage: The amount of body weight that is adipose, fat tissue. Fat percentage can be calculated by underwater weighing, measuring select skinfold thickness or by analyzing electrical impedance.
Femur: Thighbone; longest bone in the body.
Fibula: Smaller of the two bones in the lower leg; runs from the knee to the ankle along the outside of the lower leg.
Flexibility: The ability of muscle to relax and yield to stretch forces.
Fracture: Breach in continuity of a bone. Types of fractures include simple, compound, comminuted, greenstick, incomplete, impacted, longitudinal, oblique, open, stress or transverse.
Glenohumeral: The shoulder girdle; consists of the glenoid capsule, head of the humerus and labrum.