From Textbook (Treatment Vocabulary) - Unit 5: The Muscular System

braces and adaptive devices

A brace is an orthopedic device known as an orthosis that supports and straightens a body part. It keeps the body part in anatomical alignment while still permitting movement (see Figure 9-22 🟥). An adaptive or assistive device increases mobility and independence by helping a physically challenged patient perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Examples: A grasper to extend the reach, spoons that can be attached to the wrist, and extra-large pens that can be easily grasped

deep tendon reflexes (DTR)

Procedure that tests whether the muscular–nervous pathway is functioning normally. Tapping briskly on a tendon causes an involuntary, automatic contraction of the muscle connected to that tendon. This test can be done in several places, but the most common site is at the knee (see Figure 9-23 🟥). It is also known as the knee jerk or patellar reflex.

muscle strength test

Procedure used to test the motor strength of certain muscle groups. For muscles in the legs and feet, the physician presses against the lower leg or foot and asks the patient to extend the leg or flex the foot upward. For shoulder muscles, the physician presses down and the patient tries to shrug the shoulders. For muscles in the hand, the patient grasps two of the physician's fingers and squeezes them as tightly as possible. Muscle strength is measured on a scale of 0 to 5, with 5 being normal strength and 0 being an inability to move the muscles being tested.

rehabilitation exercises

Physical therapy that includes exercises to increase muscle strength and improve coordination and balance. It is prescribed as part of a rehabilitation plan. In active exercise, the patient exercises without assistance (see Figure 9-24 🟥). In passive exercise, a physical therapist or nurse performs range of motion (ROM) exercises for a patient who is unable to move. This does not build muscle strength, but it does decrease stiffness and spasticity and prevent contractures.

trigger point injections

Procedure to treat fibromyalgia. A combination of a local anesthetic drug and a corticosteroid drug are injected into each fibromyalgia trigger point to relieve pain and decrease inflammation.

fasciectomy

Procedure to partially or totally remove the fascia that is causing Dupuytren's contracture

fasciotomy

Procedure to cut the fascia and release pressure from built-up blood and tissue fluid in a patient with compartment syndrome

ganglionectomy

Procedure to remove a ganglion from a tendon

muscle biopsy

Procedure to diagnose muscle weakness that could be caused by many different muscular diseases. An incision is made in the muscle and a piece of tissue is removed and sent to the pathology department for examination under a microscope. This is an incisional biopsy or open biopsy. Alternatively, a needle is inserted and some muscle tissue is aspirated through the needle; this is a closed biopsy.

myorrhaphy

Procedure to suture together a torn muscle after an injury

tenorrhaphy

Procedure to suture together a torn tendon after an injury

thymectomy

Procedure to remove the thymus gland. It is used to treat patients with myasthenia gravis because, after a thymectomy, the patient produces fewer antibodies against the remaining acetylcholine receptors.