Physical Therapy Aide Module 4

Bursitis

Inflammation of the bursa.

Guillain-Barre syndrome

A disorder of the nervous system characterized by the absence of fever, pain or tenderness in the muscles, motor weakness, and the interruption or lack of motor reflexes.

Lumbago

Low back pain.

Multiple sclerosis

A highly complex, chronic, progressive neurological disease that is caused by changes in the white matter of the brain and spinal cord.

Muscular dystrophy

A degenerative disorder of the muscular system that is caused by a degeneration of the muscle cells, eventually causing the muscles to waste away and atrophy.

Sciatica

A common neurological disorder that is associated with rheumatism and arthritis and with prolapse of an intervertebral disk.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body, as in moving the arms straight out to the sides.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body, as in bringing the arms back to their original position.

Alignment

The positioning and supporting of the body in such a way that all body parts are in correct anatomical position.

Balance

Posture that is stable, steady, and not likely to tip or fall.

Body mechanics

A term used to refer to the way in which the body moves and maintains its balance by the most efficient use of all of its parts.

Environment

The surrounding objects, circumstances, and conditions of a place.

External environment

The physical surroundings of a person.

Gravity

The forces that pull things toward Earth.

Hospital clean

A standard of cleanliness that is higher than normal standards.

Humidity

The amount of moisture in the air.

Hyperextension

Increasing the angle more than 180-degrees or beyond a straight line.

Infection control

Standards and practices in hospitals and other health care settings to avoid spreading infectious diseases.

Medical asepsis

The techniques and skills used to render any medical setting free of disease-causing microorganisms.

Microorganism

Extremely small bits of plant or animal life too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Safety

The process of preventing accidents and in reducing the possibility of lawsuits by manipulating the environment.

Temperature

The degree of hotness or coldness.

Ventilation

The movement of air.

Ascending

Rising to a higher level.

Descending

Moving to a lower level.

Draping

Using a sheet to cover a patient

Gurney

A wheeled cot or stretcher.

Squatting

Crouching near the ground.

Transporting

Taking a patient from one area to another.

Verbal commands

Spoken words that focus the patient's attention on specifically desired actions.