Week 2 vocab Medical Sciences

c/o

complains of, complaint of

Colles fracture

fracture of the distal radius where the broken end has a dorsal angulation (bent backwards). common fracture; typically the result of FOOSH (fall on an outstretched hand)

dinner fork deformity

visual deformity associated with Colles fracture where the displaced radius causes hand to appear angled downward, creating a shape similar to a dinner fork

minimally displaced

broken bones are slightly out of alignment, but not significantly

closed reduction

non-invasive procedure using force and traction to realign (reduce!) a fractured/dislocated bone without making an incision in the skin. Often performed under sedation/anesthesia. Works best when done ASAP after break.

paresthesias

PINS AND NEEDLES

cyanosis

skin, nails, or lips turning blue/purple due to lack of oxygen in blood

bifurcated

split into two; casts are bifurcated to relieve pain and swelling ( bifurcated casts are designed to allow for swelling, which helps manage pain and prevents pressure buildup).

wrist cock-up splint

brace designed to immobilize wrist in neutral or slightly extended position (angle depends on diagnosis and individual) while allowing full mobility of the fingers and thumb

AROM

active range of motion (pt uses their own muscles to control movement)

contractures

a permanent tightening of soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments, or skin) around a joint, leading to deformity/rigidity of the joint and limiting joint’s normal ROM

bony union

when broken bones unite and heal together <3 new bone tissue formed. good bony union = strong enough to support normal activities

supination/ pronation

rotation of the forearm (pruj: head of radius rotates within radial notch of ulna; druj: ulnar notch of radius pivots around stationary head of ulna)

PROM

passive range of motion (no muscle contraction occurs)

median nerve dermatomal

referring to the area of skin innervated by the median nerve (palmar surface of thumb, index, middle, and half of ring finger)

CTS

carpal tunnel syndrome: median nerve in the wrist is compressed causing numbness, tingling, and pain in hands and wrists

anterior

front surface

PMH

past medical history

y.o

years old

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging: uses radio waves and a strong magnet to create detailed images of almost every internal structure in the body (organs, bones, muscles, blood vessels).

MRA

magnetic resonance arthrography/arthrogram: a type of MRI that specifically looks at joints. Joint is injected with a contrast dye solution to provide clearer view of soft tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, and labrum.

SLAP

“superior labrum, anterior and posterior”: a tear in the superior glenoid labrum that stretches from front to back – biceps long head tendon may also be injured (attaches to superior glenoid labrum)

Generally occurs as a result of overuse in overhead/throwing athletes

extra: Type 1- labrum is frayed/ shedded but still attached to glenoid. Type 2- labrum is torn off the glenoid. Type 3- torn labrum flips into the glenoid. ““bucket-handle” tear. Type 4: bucket- handle tear of labrum also extends into the long head of biceps tendon

GH labrum

glenohumeral labrum: fibrocartilaginous rim within the glenoid cavity that deepens the socket to provide stability to the joint

clinical diagnosis

doctor’s estimated identification of a disease/condition/injury based on signs, symptoms, and patient history. Further testing like blood tests, imaging, and biopsies, may be done after a clinical diagnosis

RC tendonitis

rotator cuff tendonitis: inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons and surrounding bursa, usually caused by repetitive overhead activities or injury

GH subluxation

glenohumeral subluxation: a partial or incomplete dislocation of the GH joint where there is translation btwn the humeral head and glenoid fossa but humeral head is not fully out of the socket; cause can be traumatic or non-traumatic but usually due to rotator cuff weakness/ligament laxity

PRICE

acronym for a protocol to treat minor injuries

Protection: protect area from further injury (e.g. avoid weight bearing with crutches, immobilize area with sling, splint, brace)

Rest: many sports medicine specialists use term “relative rest”: avoid activities that stress the injured area to the point of pain, but some movement is beneficial

Ice: cold treatments to reduce swelling and pain

Compression: use of a wrap/bandage to minimize swelling and provide mild support. Medium tension should be used to provide ample but not constrictive compression!

Elevation: positioning injured area above level of heart to reduce pooling of fluid in the area

NSAIDS

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug: a class of drugs that reduce pain, swelling, redness, and fever (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, celecoxib)

Labral Repair

surgical procedure that fixes a torn labrum by anchoring it back onto the bone. Usually performed with an arthroscope (small fiber optic tube about the diameter of a pencil) but severe tears may require open surgery

Supraspinatus Debridement

surgical removal of loose fragments of tendon, thickened bursa, and other debris from around the supraspinatus tendon to promote healing

sling and swathe

immobilization device for the shoulder/arm after surgery. Sling supports the arm’s weight and swathe restricts shoulder rotation

Post-op protocol

set of detailed guidelines for care and rehabilitation from the physician after surgery

radial side

lateral aspect of the forearm and hand (THUMB SIDE)

distal

situated further away from the center of the body or point of origin

insidious onset

the gradual and subtle development of a condition that does not have obvious symptoms at first and can become serious before it’s noticed

etiology

The cause or causes of the disease

Intrinsic: originating from within the body

Extrinsic: outside of the body

Idiopathic: unknown

DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis

inflammation of the tendons that run along the radial side of the wrist and attach to the base of the thumb (abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis). Swollen tendons and tendon sheaths rub against the narrow first dorsal extensor compartment, causing pain at the base of thumb and into the distal arm

RICE

PRICE without the P

OTC

over the counter; OTC NSAIDs = aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve)

Thumb spica splint

a type of splint used to immobilize the thumb/give wrist support while other digits can freely move. Thumb is typically held in a position of functional alignment

Cortisone injection

aka steroid injection: a shot typically injected into joints that reduces pain and inflammation by suppressing the immune system’s inflammatory response. Doctors don’t like to give cortisone shots repetitively because it can also lead to damage of cartilage within a joint (3-4 shots max per year)