Orthopedics Physical Therapy Physical Therapy Abbreviations Commonly Used by PTs By Laura Inverarity, DO Updated on December 12, 2023 Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT Print Medical terms can be a mouthful, even for physical therapists (PTs). To keep things simple, they often abbreviate terms when speaking or writing notes. If you don't know what the shortened terms mean, it's important to ask so that you understand what has been ordered and participate more actively in your recovery plan. This article includes a list of abbreviations that physical therapists commonly use when speaking or writing notes. Learning them can help you better understand your rehabilitation program and what the notations in your physical therapy report mean. Blend Images - JGI/Tom Grill / Getty Images Types of Abbreviations Abbreviations are used for many reasons in physical therapy: Assistive device abbreviations: These abbreviations are used for various types of devices that help you walk and move about, such as crutches and canes. Range of motion abbreviations: Range of motion refers to how much a joint or body part can move in a range of directions. Therapeutic modalities abbreviations: These treatments are used to help improve blood flow, muscle contractions, and inflammation. Exercise equipment abbreviations: Physical therapists often use abbreviations that are specific to their clinic. For example, some McKenzie-trained physical therapists use the term REIL, which stands for repeated extension in lying. REIL is a kind of press-up exercise. If you don't know what a word means in your physical therapy or rehab notes, ask your PT about it. And if they use a term you don't know when talking to you, ask them to explain it. Physical Therapy Abbreviations (A-Z) Use this resource to review the most common abbreviations in physical therapy and their meanings: # 50%WB: 50 percent weight-bearing A ā: Before AAROM: Active assistive range of motion ABD: Abduction ACJ: Acromioclavicular joint ACL: Anterior cruciate ligament AD: Assistive device ADD: Adduction ADL: Activities of daily living AFO: Ankle foot orthosis (a type of handle brace) AKA: Above-the-knee amputation Amb: Ambulation AROM: Active range of motion B B: BilateralBID Twice a dayBKA Below-the-knee amputation C C: With CGA: Contact guard assist CKC: Closed kinetic chain CP: Cardiopulmonary (related to the heart and lungs) CPM: Continuous passive motion CTx: Cervical traction D DB: Dumbbell DF: Dorsiflexion of the ankle and foot DJD: Degenerative disc disease E ER: External rotation Estim or ES: Electrical stimulation EV: Eversion of the ankle Ex: Exercise EXT: Extension (a slash mark is also sometimes used) F FIM score: Functional independence level FLEX: Flexion (a checkmark is also sometimes used) FWB: Full weight-bearing Fx: Fracture G GHJ: Glenohumeral joint H H/o: History of HEP: Home exercise program HOB: Head of bed Horiz ABD:: Horizontal abduction Horiz A:DD Horizontal adduction HP: Hot packs HVGS: High-voltage galvanic stimulation Hx: History I I: Independent Inv: Inversion Ionto: Iontophoresis IR: Internal rotation ITB: Iliotibial band IV: Inversion of the ankle or foot K KAFO: Knee-ankle foot orthosis L LAQ: Long arc quad LBQC: Large base quad cane (also known as a wide base quad cane, or WBQC) LCL: Lateral collateral ligament LE: Lower extremity LOA: Level of assistance LTG: Long-term goals M MCL: Medial collateral ligament MFR: Myofascial release MHP: Moist hot pack Mm: Muscle MMT: Manual muscle test Mobs: Mobilization N NDT: Neurodevelopmental technique (also known as Bobath technique) NMES: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation NWB: Non-weight bearing O OKC: Open kinetic chainOOB: Out of bed P PCL: Posterior cruciate ligament PF: Plantar flexion Pfin: Paraffin bath PFS: Patellofemoral syndrome Phono: Phonophoresis PMHx: Past medical history PNF: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation PRO: Pronation of the foot or ankle PROM: Passive range of motion PT: Physical therapist Pt: Patient PTA: Physical therapy assistant PUW Pick up walker PWB: Partial weight-bearing Q Q: Every QC: Quad cane QD: Every day QID: Four times a day R RC: Rotator cuff RD: Radial deviation (of the wrist or finger) RICE: Rest, ice, compression, elevation ROM: Range of motion Rot: Rotation RW: Rolling walker Rx: Treatment S S: Without (sans) SAQ: Short arc quad SB: Side bending SBA: Stand by assist SBQC: Small base quad cane (also known as a narrow base quad cane, or NBQC) SC: Straight cane SLR: Straight leg raise STM: Soft tissue mobilization SUP: Supination SW: Standard walker T TB: Theraband TENS: Transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation THA: Total hip arthroplasty Ther Ex: Therapeutic exercise TID: Three times a day TKA: Total knee arthroplasty TLSO: Thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis TM: Treadmill Trxn: Traction TTWB: Toe touch weight-bearing U UBE: Upper body ergometer UD: Ulnar deviation (also known as ulnar drift) UE: Upper extremity US: Ultrasound W W/c: Wheelchair (also written as WC)WBAT: Weight-bearing as toleratedWFL: Within functional limitWNL: Within normal limitsWW: Wheeled walker Summary Physical therapists use many different abbreviations when discussing treatment or writing reports. Understanding the terminology can help you gain a fuller understanding of your rehabilitation program and program results. Ask your therapist if you have any questions regarding your treatment. By Laura Inverarity, DO Laura Inverarity, PT, DO, is a current board-certified anesthesiologist and former physical therapist. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit