Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Review

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers essential terms, assessment factors, and specialized treatment techniques used in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy as described in the lecture notes.

Musculoskeletal physiotherapy (MSK)

An area of physiotherapy encompassing manual techniques and exercise prescription for the relief or prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system, incorporating orthopedic medicine, manual therapy, osteopathy, and sports medicine.

Goniometer

A device used for the precise measurement of joint angles.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body.

Accessory movement

A movement performed by a therapist (such as a passive accessory caudad glide) that makes up part of a gross movement but cannot be isolated or carried out by the patient.

Active movement

Movement performed by the patient without facilitation.

Adduction

Movement towards the midline of the body.

Caudad

Movement directed towards the tail or, practically, towards the feet.

Cephalic

Relating to the head or movement towards the head.

Extension

A joint movement whereby the interior angle increases.

Flexion

A joint movement whereby the interior angle decreases.

Manipulation

A high-velocity thrust moving a joint well into the limits of its range, which the patient cannot stop.

Mobilization

Movement of a joint in such a way that the patient has total control and can stop the procedure if needed.

Overpressure

Additional movement in a joint beyond the normal range applied by a therapist during assessment.

Paradigm

A concept or belief.

Passive movement

Movement of a joint performed by the therapist without effort from the patient.

Physiologic movement

A joint movement such as shoulder abduction that can be performed either actively by the patient or passively by a therapist. It is the opposite of accessory movement.

SIN factor

A framework used to gather a database of a patient’s condition, standing for Severity, Irritability, and Nature.

Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)

A $0-10$ scale used as an objective measure for patients to describe pain intensity at its worst, least, and current state.

Personal ADLs (PADLs)

Activities of daily living related to personal care, such as washing, dressing, and brushing teeth.

Domestic ADLs (DADLs)

Activities of daily living related to the home, such as cleaning, cooking, and driving.

Kyphotic

A postural state characterized by an excessive thoracic curve.

Lordotic

A postural state characterized by an excessive lumbar curve.

Lateral shift

A postural alignment where the shoulders are not aligned with the hips, often indicating disk herniation or facet joint irritation.

Scoliosis

Lateral curvature of the spine.

Trendelenburg gait

A walking pattern where the hips bob up and down rather than staying level through the gait cycle.

Red flags

Physical risk factors (e.g., unexplained weight loss, night pain, cauda equina symptoms) that require coordinated care or immediate emergency referral.

Yellow flags

Psychologic risk factors (e.g., catastrophizing, depression, inappropriate thoughts about pain) that may hinder treatment and recovery.

Maitland Grade I

Small-amplitude movement performed without resistance, not entering into the range of the joint.

Maitland Grade IV

Small-amplitude movement performed right at the end of the joint range.

Maitland Grade V

A joint manipulation technique rather than a mobilization.

Capsular pattern

A principle in orthopedic medicine used to differentiate between joint conditions and other structural lesions.

McKenzie concept

A spinal treatment method aimed at centralizing pain through specific exercises, often using extension to address posterior disk herniation.

Qi

Energy that, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, flows through meridians to maintain health.

Muscle Energy Techniques (MET)

Techniques based on overcoming the neuromuscular barrier by fatiguing the reflex arc (stimulation of the Golgi body) to increase joint range.

Reciprocal inhibition

A MET principle where the contraction of an agonist muscle exerts an inhibitory effect upon its antagonist, allowing it to relax and stretch.

Postisometric relaxation

A MET principle where maximal muscle contraction is followed by a refractory phase of maximal relaxation, allowing a stretch to be applied.

Sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAG)

A type of vertebral mobilization within the Mulligan concept.

Mobilization with movement (MWM)

A Mulligan concept involving a passive accessory movement combined with active or passive physiologic movement of a joint.

Myofascia

Connective tissue that can become adhered to surrounding tissues after injury or inflammation, resulting in pain and inhibited movement.

Trigger point

A specific term used in myofascial therapy, first introduced by Janet Travell.

Pilates

A concept focused on the control and coordination of muscles, particularly core muscles controlling the torso and spinal column.

Therapeutic exercise

The systematic and planned performance of bodily movements or postures to remediate injury, improve function, and optimize health.

Deep transverse friction massage

A skilled, deep manipulation of specific tissues intended to relieve pain, increase blood flow, and restart inflammatory processes.