Foundations of Biomechanics & NeuroMusculoSkeletal Management – Diagnostic Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key diagnostic, anatomical, and clinical terms from DPT 6150 Week 2 lecture on decision-making and differential diagnosis.

Diagnosis (Dx)

A label that encompasses a cluster of signs and symptoms associated with a disorder, syndrome, or category of impairments.

Biopsychosocial Model

Framework that considers biological, psychological, and social factors in health and disease.

Triage

Initial screening to rule out non-musculoskeletal or emergent conditions such as cancer, infection, or fracture.

Differential Diagnosis

Systematic comparison of possible causes to identify the most likely condition.

SINSS

Acronym for Severity, Irritability, Nature, Stage, and Stability of symptoms used to guide evaluation.

Pain Mechanism Classification

System categorizing pain as nociceptive, peripheral neuropathic, or central sensitization.

Nociceptive Pain

Pain arising from activation of peripheral nociceptors by mechanical, chemical, or thermal stimuli.

Peripheral Neuropathic Pain

Pain caused by lesion or dysfunction in peripheral nerves, dorsal root ganglion, or spinal nerve roots.

Central Sensitization Pain

Pain resulting from amplified neural signaling within the CNS that produces hypersensitivity.

Chronic Pain Syndrome

Persistent pain state often associated with central sensitization and psychosocial factors.

Impairment-Based Diagnosis

Identification of impairments contributing to a patient’s functional limitations.

Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG)

Evidence-based recommendations for examination, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and outcomes.

Treatment-Based Classification (TBC)

System grouping patients into subcategories to match them with specific treatments (e.g., LBP subgroups).

Pathoanatomical/Structural Diagnosis

Medical model focusing on tissue pathology such as fracture, tear, or degeneration.

Acute Injury Classification

Framework addressing newly injured tissue that guides staged interventions.

Patient Interview

First evaluation step gathering history, red flags, and outcome measures.

Observation

Visual appraisal of posture, movement, and general presentation.

Motion Tests

Assessment of active, passive, and accessory joint movements.

Muscle Performance Testing

Evaluation of strength, endurance, and motor control of muscles.

Special Tests

Specific procedures designed to confirm or rule out particular pathologies.

Palpation

Manual examination assessing tenderness, temperature, swelling, or tissue integrity.

Physical Performance Measures

Functional tests quantifying a patient’s activity capability.

First-Order Decision

Determination whether to treat, treat and refer, or refer the patient.

Relevant Impairment

Contributing factor that limits function and guides intervention choices.

Proprioception

Sense of joint position and movement in space.

Joint Hypomobility

Decreased accessory or physiologic joint motion.

Soft Tissue Hypomobility

Restricted extensibility of muscles, fascia, or skin.

Contracture

Permanent adaptive shortening of soft tissue that limits range of motion.

Adhesion

Abnormal binding of collagen fibers to surrounding structures.

Trigger Point

Hyperirritable nodule in a taut muscle band that reproduces local or referred pain when palpated.

Motor Control Deficit

Impairment in the planning and coordination of movement patterns.

Weakness

Reduced force-producing capacity of a muscle or muscle group.

Range of Motion (ROM)

Arc of movement available at a joint.

Ligament Sprain

Injury to a ligament ranging from microscopic tears to complete rupture.

Grade I Sprain

Mild stretching of fibers; painful without laxity and minimal functional loss.

Grade II Sprain

Partial tear with moderate laxity, swelling, and functional impairment.

Grade III Sprain

Complete ligament rupture producing marked laxity and possible need for surgery.

Muscle Strain

Injury to muscle fibers due to excessive stretch or load.

First-Degree Strain

Mild damage with strong but painful resisted contraction and minimal performance loss.

Second-Degree Strain

Partial tear with weak, painful contraction, bruising, and functional loss.

Third-Degree Strain

Complete tear causing severe loss of function; often requires surgical repair.

Dislocation

Complete loss of joint surface congruity between bony partners.

Subluxation

Partial or incomplete dislocation with spontaneous reduction.

Tendinitis

True inflammatory condition of a tendon, usually acute and responsive to rest and NSAIDs.

Tendinopathy

Chronic tendon disorder with pain during loading and structural tendon changes.

Macrotrauma

Acute injury from a single high-force event producing immediate tissue damage.

Microtrauma

Cumulative tissue damage from repetitive sub-threshold loading or over-training.

Fracture Healing – Inflammation

Initial phase (days 1-6) of fracture repair marked by hematoma and cellular response.

Fracture Healing – Reconstruction

Callus formation phase (approximately days 7-9) where new bone begins to bridge the fracture.

Fracture Healing – Remodeling

Maturation phase (day 10-30 and beyond) where woven bone converts to lamellar bone.

Stress Fracture

Bone injury from repetitive cyclic loading exceeding the bone’s remodeling capacity.

Salter-Harris Classification

System describing pediatric growth-plate fractures (Types I–V).

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Degenerative joint disease with cartilage thinning, osteophyte formation, and possible joint pain.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Systemic autoimmune synovitis causing joint destruction, deformity, and systemic symptoms.

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

Lesion of cartilage and subchondral bone, often in the knee; also called chondromalacia.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Pathology of peripheral nerves producing combined sensory and motor deficits.

Radiculopathy

Nerve root lesion causing dermatomal pain, weakness, and hyporeflexia.

Myelopathy

Pathology of the spinal cord producing widespread neurological signs and hyperreflexia.

Neuropraxia

Grade I nerve injury with transient conduction block; full recovery expected.

Axonotmesis

Grade II nerve injury with axonal disruption and Wallerian degeneration; connective tissue intact.

Neurotmesis

Grade III nerve injury involving complete severance of the nerve; often requires surgery.

Compartment Syndrome

Dangerous elevation of intracompartmental pressure causing ischemia and potential permanent damage.

Evidence-Informed Practice

Integration of best research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values in decision making.

Integrated Diagnostic Model

Simultaneous use of multiple classification systems to guide individualized patient care.