orthopedics terms

abduction

movement away from the midline

adhesions

tissues growth together that are normally separate

Arthritis

inflammation of a joint, usually with gain, swelling, and changes in structure

Arthroscopy

minimally-invasive diagnostic and treatment procedure used for joint conditions

bursa

serous sac between a tendon and a bone

bursitis

inflammation of a bursa often caused by overuse of a joint

bunion

inflammation and thickening of the bursa in the joint of the big toe

Cartilage

a smooth material that covers the bone ends, providing cushion for the bone and allowing the joint to move easily

chondralgia

Cartilage pain

chondrectomy

excision of cartilage

dislocation

Occurs when extreme force is put on a ligament, causing two bone ends to separate

hysplasia

poor or defective development

fascia

tissue that connects muscle to muscle

Fracture

break in a bone

ganglion cyst

fluid filled cyst, commonly found on the back of the wrist

gout

a defect in body chemistry, commonly uric acid in the joint fluid, that is painful and attacks small joints

inflammation

a normal reaction to injury or disease, resulting in swelling, pain, and stiffness

Interchondral

between the cartilage

intercostal

pertaining to between the ribs

joint

where the end of two or more bones meet

kyphosis

posterior thoracic curvature, “hunch back”

ligament

a white, shiny, flexible band of fibrous tissue that binds joints together and connects various bones and cartilage

lumbar

pertaining to the lower back between the thorax and sacrum

magnetic resonance imaging

A diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce images of structures within the body

menisci

Two crescent-shaped discs of connective tissue between the bones of the knees that act as shock absorbers to cushion the lower part of the leg from the weight of the rest of the body

meniscitis

inflammation of the meniscus

Musculoskeletal system

complex system involving the body’s muscles and skeleton, including joints, ligaments, tendons, and nerves

orthopedist

physical specialist in treatment of skeletal and joint disorders

orthotics

appliances used to support the musculoskeletal system

Osteoarthritis

inflammation of the bone and joint

osteoma

tumor of the bone

osteomalacia

softening of the bone

osteopathic

pertaining to the practice of osteopathic physicians or bone disease

osteopathy

disease of bone

osteopenia

bone loss

osteoporosis

porous condition of the bone due to deterioration of bone matrix

osteosarcoma

cancer of the bone

prosthesis

artificial body part replacement

Rheumatoid arthritis

An inflammatory disease that involves the lining of a joint; inflammation often affects the hands and feet equally on both sides

scolisosis

lateral, or sideways, curvature of the spine

sprain

partial or complete tear of ligament

strain

partial or complete tear of muscle or tendon

stress fracture

bone injury due to overuse

synovial fluid

clear, sticky fluid that is released in the joint, acts as a lubricant for joints and tendons

tendon

tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones

x-ray

diagnostic test that used invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal organs and bones