Unit 5 Medical Term Diseases and Conditions

adhesion

Normally, the formation of a fibrous band of tissue that holds two parts or surfaces together, as in the healing of a wound. In a disease condition, the formation of a fibrous band of tissue that holds two surfaces together due to inflammation or trauma (Figure 5.14).

ataxia

Inability to coordinate voluntary muscle activity; characterized by shaky, unsteady movements.

atrophy

Wasting away or shrinkage of muscle size.

carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

Disorder marked by pain, burning, and itching or tingling due to an inflamed median nerve and tendons in the wrist; commonly associated with repetitive activity and/or overuse injury.

contracture

Permanent tightening of skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia (a band or sheet of fibrous tissue that encloses muscle tissue); most commonly due to lack of use or immobilization.

convulsion

A sudden, abnormal, involuntary contraction (or series of contractions) of the muscles.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)

Progressive disease that weakens the muscles of the shoulder and pelvic girdle. DMD is a sex-linked recessive trait that affects mostly males.

hypotonia

Loss of muscle tone.

impingement syndrome

Condition that occurs when tendons of the shoulder become impinged, or compressed, by the bones of the shoulder (Figure 5.16).

muscular dystrophy

Genetic disease characterized by progressive muscular weakness and skeletal muscle deterioration (Figure 5.17).

myalgia or myodynia

Muscle Pain

myasthenia gravis

Chronic autoimmune disease characterized by voluntary muscle weakness that worsens after activity and improves after rest.

myocele

Herniation or protrusion of muscle through a tear in the fascia.

myolysis

Degeneration or deterioration of muscle tissue.

myoma

Tumor of the muscle.

leiomyoma

Benign tumor of smooth muscle, such as that found in the heart, bladder, or uterus.

leiomyosarcoma

Malignant tumor of smooth muscle.

rhabdomyoma

Benign tumor consisting of striated muscle that occurs on or in the smooth muscle of the heart

rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)

Malignant tumor of skeletal muscle

myomalacia

Abnormal softening of muscle tissue.

myoparesis

Weakness or mild muscular paralysis.

myorrhexis

Rupture or tearing of a muscle.

myositis

inflammation of the muscle

paraplegia

Paralysis of both legs and, often, the lower trunk.

paresthesia

Abnormal sensation that typically is not painful, such as tingling, numbness, itching, prickling, or burning. An example of a common form of temporary paresthesia is when your foot “falls asleep,” causing a “pins and needles” sensation after you have sat on it too long.

plantar fasciitis

Inflammation of the plantar fascia (the thick band of tissue in the sole of the foot between the heel bone and the toes), resulting in heel pain.

quadriplegia

Paralysis of all four extremities.

rigor or rigidity

Muscular stiffness/stiff muscle, as in rigor mortis (Latin rigor = “stiffness”; mortis = “of death”). Stiffness that occurs in dead bodies due to chemical changes in the muscles.

sarcopenia

Loss of muscle mass, strength, and function as a result of aging.

shin splint

Painful condition caused by muscle tearing away from the tibia.

spasm

Involuntary sudden movement or convulsive muscular contraction. Such a movement is described as spastic.

sprain

The stretching or tearing of a ligament, which connects bone to bone

strain

The stretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon, the latter of which connects muscle to bone; pulled muscle or pulled tendon.

tenalgia or tenodynia

Pain in the tendon.

tendinitis or tendonitis

Inflammation of a tendon.

tetany

A state of sustained muscular contraction.

tremor

An involuntary, repetitive shaking or quivering of a part or parts of the body. Causes include illness (such as Parkinson’s disease), fever, or hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature).

biopsy

The removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination (Figure 5.19).

computerized tomography (CT)

Process in which radiographic images of a specific section of the body are taken from multiple angles. A computer analyzes the images to identify muscular injury or disease. CT scans provide more detailed imagery than standard X-rays.

deep tendon reflexes (DTR)

Evaluation of involuntary muscular responses with a reflex hammer (Figure 5.20). Patients under heavy sedation or in a deep coma do not show these reflexes.

electromyogram (EMG)

A graphic recording of the contraction of a muscle as a result of electrical stimulation (Figure 5.21).

goniometry

The measurement of range of motion in a joint.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A noninvasive scanning test that involves use of an electromagnetic field and radio waves to visualize soft-tissue structures.

nuclear medicine imaging (NMI)

Diagnostic imaging technique in which a radioactive substance and a special camera visualize structures and functions in the body. The radioactive substance is injected into or swallowed by the patient.

radiography

Diagnostic imaging technique that uses electromagnetic waves to create images of the inside of the body. X-rays check for structural abnormality or disease.

range-of-motion (ROM) testing

Diagnostic procedure performed to evaluate the extent to which joints can be moved in a variety of directions.

sonography

Diagnostic imaging method involving the use of high-frequency sound waves to generate images of structures in the body, such as muscles, ligaments, and displaced or dislocated structures. Also called diagnostic sonography or, more commonly, ultrasound.

myoplasty

Surgical repair of a muscle through plastic surgery.

physical therapy

Treatment to rehabilitate a patient who has experienced an illness or injury. Common methods include exercise; hydrotherapy (water therapy), shown in Figure 5.22; ultrasound; and diathermy (DIGH-uh-THER-mee), or deep heating of body tissues using a high-frequency electrical current.

range-of-motion (ROM) therapy

Exercises performed to improve or maintain joint mobility and flexibility. People can perform active ROM exercises on their own. Assisted ROM exercises require minor assistance due to mild weakness, pain, or stiffness. A physical therapist performs passive ROM exercises on a person who requires total assistance to do the exercises.

Rest Ice Compression Elevation (RICE)

Most common first-aid treatment for muscular injuries; often referred to as “RICE.”

tenotomy

Incision to the tendon, usually to repair a deformity caused by a shortened muscle.

analgesic

A drug that relieves pain; includes nonprescription pain relievers, such as aspirin, and prescription pain relievers, such as hydrocodone.

Anti-Inflammatory

A drug that reduces inflammation.

antispasmodic or anticholinergic

A drug prescribed to suppress smooth-muscle contractions of the bladder, stomach, or intestine.

narcotic

A drug that, in moderate doses, slows down the central nervous system, relieves pain, and induces sleep. Taken in excess, narcotics produce unconsciousness, stupor, coma, and possibly death.

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)

A group of drugs with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic (AN-tee-pigh-RET-ik) (fever-reducing) properties. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are common over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs. This group of drugs is set apart from other drugs that have the same properties because they are nonsteroidal. (Steroidal drugs have narcotic effects and may lead to addiction.)

Certified Fitness Trainer

A certified fitness trainer (CFT) serves as a leader and instructor in exercise programs and helps people achieve and maintain a healthful lifestyle. This career path demands a passion for being physically active, healthy, and fit. CFTs must have excellent communication skills and a talent for encouraging and motivating others.

Certified fitness trainer programs take, on average, six months to complete. These programs teach a well-rounded curriculum that includes coursework in exercise programs, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, and psychology. Admission to a CFT program generally requires a high school diploma and current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The work environment for CFTs varies widely. Certified fitness trainers work in fitness and health clubs, gyms, hospitals, resorts, country clubs, universities, and yoga and Pilates studios. A CFT may also choose to work as a personal fitness trainer (PFT), traveling to people’s homes and developing custom-tailored exercise programs to help clients increase physical fitness.\

Exercise Physiologist

An exercise physiologist is a healthcare professional who performs exercise stress tests and evaluates a person’s physical condition, focusing on cardiovascular health and metabolism. Exercise physiologists develop individualized exercise plans based on their clients’ needs and design exercise programs to help athletes achieve specific goals.

To prepare for a career in this field, candidates must have at least a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology. With further education and successful completion of the Exercise Physiologist Certified (EPC) exam, administered by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP), a person can obtain board certification. Exercise physiologists are employed in a variety of environments, including healthcare facilities, fitness centers, colleges and universities, athletic or military training facilities, and rehabilitation centers.

Sports Medicine Physician

A sports medicine physician treats and prevents sports-related injuries of the bones, joints, and muscles. These healthcare professionals diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medication and therapy, and perform surgery. They must attend an accredited medical school to obtain a Medical Doctor (MD) degree or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Both types of physicians must complete residency programs and obtain a license to practice. Sports medicine physicians may work exclusively for an athletic team, for a university sports program or fitness center, in a private practice, or with a group of physicians.