Glossary of Terms
Inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling and sometimes change in structure.
- ACL Injury
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is located in the center of the knee and controls the rotation and forward movement of the tibia. It is the most common ligament to be injured. The ACL is often stretched and/or torn during a sudden twisting motion.
A surgical procedure used to visualize, diagnose and treat problems inside a joint.
- Avascular necrosis
A disease that results from the temporary or permanent loss of blood supply to the bone. When blood supply is cut off, the bone tissue dies and the bone collapses. If AVN occurs near a joint, collapse of the joint surface may occur.
An inflammation and thickening of the bursa around a joint. Bunions may occur at the base of the big toe or at the base of the little toe.
A sac filled with fluid located between a bone and a tendon or muscle.
Repeated small stresses and overuse that cause the bursa to swell and become irritated.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Pressure on the median nerve as it enters the hand through a tunnel in the wrist.
A smooth material that covers bone ends of a joint to cushion the bone and allow the joint to move easily without pain.
- Dupuytren’s Contracture
A hereditary thickening of the tough tissue, called fascia, which lies just below the skin of the palm.
- EMG (electromyogram)
A test to evaluate nerve and muscle function.
Fractured means broken. Whether you have a complete or a partial fracture, you have a broken bone. A bone may be completely fractured or partially fractured in any number of ways (cross-wise, lengthwise, in the middle).
- Ganglion cysts
Benign, fluid-filled cysts that can develop on the hand or wrist.
A permanent sideways bend in the middle toe joint.
- Herniated Disc
Discs are composed of a thick outer ring of cartilage (annulus) and an inner gel-like substance (nucleus). A disc herniates or ruptures when part of the center nucleus pushes through the outer edge of the disc. It pushes backwards towards the spinal canal putting pressure on the spinal nerves, which are very sensitive to pressure. This may cause pain, numbness and weakness in the legs (lumbar disc) or arms (cervical disc).
A normal reaction to injury or disease, which results in swelling, pain and stiffness.
Where the ends of two or more bones meet.
A band of tissue that connects the bones and keep joints stable.
- Morton’s Neuroma
A pinched nerve usually causing pain between the third and fourth toes.
A condition caused by wear and tear that causes inflammation of the joint, resulting in swelling, pain and stiffness.
A disease in which there is loss of bone mass and bone tissue, resulting in a weakening of the bones.
- Plantar Fasciitis
Inflammation of the tough, fibrous band of tissue (fascia) connecting the heel bone to the base of the toes.
- Rotator Cuff
A tendon linking the four muscles that cover the ball of the shoulder (head of the humerus). These muscles work together to lift and rotate the shoulder.
The condition of side-to-side spinal curvature.
- Shoulder Impingement
One of the most common causes of pain in the adult shoulder. It results from pressure on the rotator cuff from part of the shoulder blade (scapula) as the arm is lifted.
Generally, the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the musculoskeletal system.
- Spinal Stenosis
Stenosis means narrowing. In spinal stenosis, the spinal canal, which contains and protects the spinal cord and nerve roots, narrows and pinches the spinal cord and nerves. The result is low back pain, as well as pain in the legs.
A partial or complete tear of a ligament.
A partial or complete tear of a muscle or tendon.
- Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are injuries caused by overuse. They occur when muscles become fatigued and transfer the overload of stress to the bone, causing a tiny crack called a stress fracture.
A fibrous envelope that produces a fluid to help to reduce friction and wear on a joint.
A cord that connects muscle to bone or other tissue.
An inflammation in a tendon or the tendon covering.
- Tennis Elbow
A degenerative condition involving the tendon fibers that attach on the bony prominence (epicondyle) on the outside of the elbow.These tendons are responsible for anchoring the muscles that extend or lift the wrist and hand.
- Total Joint Replacement
A procedure involving the removal of an arthritic or damaged joint, and the replacement of it with an artificial joint called a prosthesis.
- Trigger Finger
An irritation of the digital sheath that surrounds the flexor tendons of the finger. When the tendon sheath becomes thickened or swollen, it pinches the tendon and prevents it from gliding smoothly. In some cases the tendon catches and then suddenly releases as though a trigger were released.