4.6 Common Joint Injuries and Homeostatic Imbalances

Dislocation

bone removed from its usual location within a joint

Glenohumeral joint

the shoulder joint; most prone to dislocation

Anterior dislocation

most common shoulder dislocation where the humeral head moves forward of the socket

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

knee ligament injured by hyperextension or twisting

Tibial collateral ligament

medial knee ligament attached to the medial meniscus

Medial meniscus

C-shaped knee cartilage 20 times more likely to be injured than the lateral meniscus

Terrible triad

sequential injury to the tibial collateral ligament, medial meniscus, and anterior cruciate ligament

Rotator cuff

group of muscles/tendons stabilizing the shoulder joint

Glenoid labrum

fibrocartilage ring deepening the shoulder socket

Abduction

moving a limb away from the midline of the body

Bursitis

inflammation of a joint bursa causing pain and stiffness

Arthritis

general term for joint inflammation

Osteoarthritis (OA)

degenerative arthritis caused by aging and wear and tear of articular cartilage

Bone spurs

rough or bumpy bone growths resulting from cartilage loss

Arthroplasty

joint replacement surgery

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks synovial joint linings

Lung fibrosis

scarring of lung tissue; a systemic risk of rheumatoid arthritis

Gouty arthritis (Gout)

arthritis caused by uric acid crystals forming in a synovial joint

Uric acid

byproduct of purine breakdown that can crystalize in joints

Purines

chemical compounds found in foods like red meat and alcohol that break down into uric acid

Nucleus pulposus

gel-like inner substance of an intervertebral disc that loses water with age

Annulus fibrosus

tough outer fibrous layer of an intervertebral disc

Bulging disc

protrusion of the intact annulus fibrosus into the vertebral canal

Herniated disc

injury where the nucleus pulposus breaks through the annulus fibrosus