Chapter 32 Orthopaedic Injuries Terms

Acromioclavicular (AV) joint

A simple where the bony projections of the scapula and the clavicle meet at the top of the shoulder

Amputation

An injury in which part of the body is completely severed

Articular cartilage

A pearly white layer of specialized cartilage covering the articular surfaces (contact surfaces on the ends) of the bones in synovial joints

Calcaneus

The heel bone

Closed fracture

Any break in a bone in which the overlying skin is not broken

Compartment syndrome

Swelling in a confined space that produces dangerous pressure; may cut off blood flow or damage sensitive tissue

Crepitus

A grating or grinding sensation or sound caused by fractured bone ends or joints rubbing together

Dislocation

Disruption of a joint in which ligaments are damaged and the bone ends are no longer in contact

Displaced fracture

A fracture in which bone fragments are separated from one another, producing deformity in the limb

Ecchymosis

Bruising or discoloration associated with bleeding within or under the skin

False motion

Movement that occurs in a bone at a point where there is no joint, indicating a fracture; also called free movement

Fascia

The fiber like connective tissue that covers arteries, veins, tendons, and ligaments

Fibula

The outer and smaller bone of the two bones of the lower leg

Fracture

A break in the continuity of a bone

Glenoid fossa

The part of the scapula that joints with the humeral head to from the glenohumeral joint

Hematuria

Blood in the urine

Joint

The place where two bones come into contact

Ligaments

Bands of fibrous tissues that connect bones to bones. Ligaments support and strengthen a joint

Nondisplaced fracture

A simple crack in the bone that has no caused the bone to move from its normal anatomic position; also called a hairline fracture

Open fracture

Any break in a bone in which the overlying skin has been broken

Pelvic binder

A device to splint the bony pelvis to reduce hemorrhage from bone ends, venous disruption, and pain

Point tenderness

Tenderness that is sharply localized at the site of the injury, found by gently palpating along the bone with the tip of one finger

Position of function

A hand position in which the wrist is slightly dorsiflexed and all finger joints are moderately fixed

Reduce

To return a dislocated joint of fractured bone to its normal position; to set

Retroperitoneal space

The space between the abdominal cavity and the posterior abdominal wall, containing the kidneys, certain large vessels, and parts of the gastrointestinal tract

Sciatic nerve

The major nerve to the lower extremities; controls much of muscle functions in the leg and sensation in most of the leg and foot

Sling

A bandage or material that helps to support the weight of an injured upper extremity

Splint

A flexible or rigid device used to protect and maintain the position of an injured extremity

Sprain

A joint injury involving damage to supporting ligaments, and sometimes partial or temporary dislocation of bone ends

Strain

Stretching or tearing of a muscle; also called a muscle pull

Swathe

A bandage that passes around the chest to secure an injured arm to the chest

Tibia

The shinbone; the larger of the two bones of the lower leg

Tourniquet

The bleeding control method used when a wound continues to bleed despite the use of direct pressure; useful if a patient is bleeding severely from a partial or complete amputation

Traction

Longitudinal force applied to a structure

Zone of injury

The area of potentially damaged soft tissue, adjacent nerves, and blood vessels surrounding an injury to a bone or a joint