Glossary/Definitions

Plyometric exercise may be an important part of your exercise routine in physical therapy.

Definition of a goniometer, a tool used in physical therapy to measure range of motion.

Learn how your doctor can fix a broken bone and how physical therapy can help improve function after a fracture.

Paresthesia is the term used for an abnormal sensation of the skin.

Spondylolisthesis occurs when anterior displacement of a vertebra or the vertebral column in relation to the vertebrae below occurs.

Yoga therapy is the combination of physical therapy and yoga poses to help with rehabilitation.

Foot drop describes a condition where the ankle can not lift the foot off the ground.

A trigger point is a taught band of muscle that can refer pain to various parts of the body.

Sciatica refers to a condition where the sciatic nerve is compressed and results in pain radiating down the leg.

Coccydynia is a condition when there is tail of the coccyx otherwise known as the tail bone.

Eccentric muscles strengthening describes loading a muscle as it lengthens in size.

Kegels are exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which support the uterus, bladder and bowel.

CRPS, or complex regional pain syndrome is a condition that occurs when there is prolonged pain in an injured extremity.

Icing an injury helps to slows the inflammation and swelling that occurs after damage to a muscle, tendon, or ligament.

Paresis refers to incomplete paralysis.

Minimally surgeries are performed through small incisions.

Proprioception is the term that refers to the ability to determine the orientation of one's arm or leg in the air.

Complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS, is a painful condition that affects the arms or legs after some form of injury has occurred

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia that runs from the heel bone in the foot to the toes.

Clubfoot describes a congenital abnormality involving the legs and feet.

In medicine various movements are described using medical terms. Learn their meanings for a better understand your therapists terminology.

Definition of AC Joint

In medicine various movements are described using medical terms. Learn their meanings for a better understand your therapists terminology.

A sprain refers an injury sustained to a ligament in the body.

Iontophoresis is the use of electrical current to deliver medication through the skin.

A description of the role of a physical therapy assistant

Hemarthrosis describes bleeding in a joint.

Extension describes the motion of increasing the angle of the joint.

Flexion describes a movement that entails decreasing the angle of a body part.

Adduction describes a motion that involves bringing an extremity back to the body's midline.

Abduction refers to moving an extremity away from the body.

Arthroscopic surgery is a less-invasive procedure for surgeons to diagnose and repair joint injuries.

Metatarsalgia is a condition used to describe a painful foot condition in the area just before the toes, or the ball-of-the-foot.

Spasticity is a condition in which certain muscles are continuously contracted.

A look at the phases of the gait cycle.

Bursitis is inflammation of the fluid filled sacs, bursa, that cushion areas of pressure between joints, muscles, and tendons.

Physical therapists often use medical abbreviations in their note writing. To the non-trained therapists, these can often be confusing. Below is a list of commonly used therapy abbreviations. Now you too can understand your therapist’s note![

Tendonitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the tissue that connects muscle to bones. Read about this term here.

A stroke is also known as a cva, or cerebrovascular accident. Learn more about the definition of stroke in this glossary.

Neurology is the medical science of the nervous system.

Geriatrics is the study of medicine pertaining to the elderly and disease processes of aging.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a condition of increased sympathetic discharge in an extremity that often occurs after trauma.

Physical therapy modalities are a variety of treatment tools used by therapists to decrease pain, inflammation, and treat muscle strains.

Electrical stimulation is a physical therapy modality used to strengthen muscles and promote healing.

A TENS unit stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. It is a small battery operated machine used by physical therapists to decrease pain

Ultrasound machines are a treatment modality used by physical therapists that utilize high or low frequency sound waves.

Cold packs are a frozen gel substance used by physical therapists to treat areas of pain and inflammation.

Hot packs are a modality used by physical therapists to decrease pain due to muscle strains and spasms.

Radicular pain is often due to disc herniation. Find out what "radicular" means in this glossary overview.

The words behind abbreviations used in physical therapy are uncovered in this glossary.

Gait is a common term used by health care professionals. Learn what gait refers to and its various forms.

DVT refers to deep vein thrombosis, a term used to describe blood clots in the arms, and most commonly the legs.

Provides a definition of orthotics

RICE is a commonly used acronym for the management of acute soft tissue injuries. Discover the meaning behind these letters so that you can use this treatment if necessary.

Learn what incontinence is and the four most common types.

Definition of Ergonomics.

Definition of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Definition of Congenital

Review hundreds of common medical abbreviations found on prescriptions, medical records, and physician orders.

The National Institutes of Health provides a free online medical dictionary to assist in defining medical terminology.

Browse alphabetically through four hundred and nineteen common medical acronyms.

Stedman's is one of the most commonly known dictionaries for health professionals. Use their online word search at no cost.

Unsure how to correctly spell medical terms? Verify your spelling online with Spellex.

Learn what a Smith's fracture is and how physical therapy can help you recover fully from a Smith's fracture.