Glossary of Orthopaedic Terms

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
the ligament, located in the center of the knee, that controls rotation and forward movement of the tibia (shin bone) 

Arthritis 
inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and sometimes change in structure 

Arthrogram
an x-ray to view bone structures following an injection of a contrast fluid into a joint area. When the fluid leaks into an area that it does not belong, disease or injury may be considered, as a leak would provide evidence of a tear, opening or blockage

Arthroscopy
a minimally-invasive diagnostic and treatment procedure used for conditions of a joint. This procedure uses a small, lighted optic tube (arthroscope) which is inserted into the joint through a small incision in the joint. Images of the inside of the joint are projected onto a screen; used to evaluate any degenerative and/or arthritic changes in the joint; to detect bone diseases and tumors; to determine the cause of bone pain and inflammation 

Bursa 
a sac filled with fluid between a bone and a tendon or muscle 

Bursitis
repeated small stresses and overuse that cause the bursa to swell and become irritated 

Bunion
an inflammation and thickening of the bursa in the joint of the big toe 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 
a condition in which the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, a narrow confined space. Since the median nerve provides sensory and motor functions to the thumb and three middle fingers, many symptoms may result 

Cartliage 
a smooth material that covers bone ends of a joint to cushion the bone and allow the joint to move easily without pain 

Cast
a cast holds a broken bone in place as it heals, prevents, or decreases muscle contractions, or provides immobilization, especially after surgery. Casts immobilize the joint above and the joint below the area that is to be kept straight and without motion 

CAT Scan 
a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays 

Contusion - bruise 

Dislocation 
a dislocation occurs when extreme force is put on a ligament causing the two bone ends to separate. Dislocations can also affect a joint, the point where two or more bones come together. The joint is created as a “ball-and-socket”. A dislocated joint causes the head of the bone (ball) to partially or completely come out of the socket

Electromyogram (EMG)
a test to evaluate nerve and muscle function

Femur - thighbone

Fracture 
a break in a bone 

Ganglion Cysts 
non-cancerous, fluid-filled cysts are common masses or lumps in the hand and usually found on the back of the wrist 

Gout 
a result of a defect in body chemistry (such as uric acid in the joint fluid), this painful condition most often attacks small joint, especially the big toe. It can usually be controlled with medication and changes in diet 

Heel Spur 
a bone growth on the heel bone 

Humerus 
the bone of the upper arm 

Inflammation
a normal reaction to injury or disease, which results in swelling, pain, and stiffness 

Joint 
where the ends of two or more bones meet 

Lateral Epicondylitis (also known as tennis elbow) 
pain caused by damage to the tendons that bend the wrist backward away from the palm 

Ligaments 
a white, shiny, flexible band of fibrous tissue that binds joints together and connects various bones and cartilage 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 
a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radio frequencies, and computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body 

Medial Epicondylitis (also know as golfer’s elbow, baseball elbow, suitcase elbow, or forehand tennis elbow) 
pain caused by damage to the tendons that bend the wrist toward the palm 

Menisci 
two crescent-shaped discs of connective tissue between the bones of the knees that act as shock absorbers to cushion the lower part of the leg from the weight of the rest of the body 

Musculoskeletal System 
the complex system involving the body’s muscles and skeleton, and including the joints, ligaments, tendons, and nerves 

Myelogram 
involves the injection of a dye or contrast material into the spinal canal; a specific x-ray study that also allows careful evaluation of the spinal canal and nerve roots 

Orthopaedic Surgeon (also called an Orthopaedist) 
a physician who diagnoses, treats, manages the rehabilitation process, and provides prevention protocols for patients who suffer from injury or disease in any of the components of the musculoskeletal system 

Orthopaedic Surgery (also called Orthopaedics) 
the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of injuries and diseases of the body’s musculoskeletal system 

Osteoarthritis 
a condition caused by wear and tear that causes inflammation of the joint, causing swelling, pain, and stiffness 

Osteoporosis 
a condition that develops when bone is no longer replaced as quickly as it is removed

Overuse Conditions
injuries due to minor trauma involving soft-tissue injuries - injuries that affect the bone, muscles, ligaments, and/or tendons 

Patella - kneecap 

Plantar Fascia
a long band of connecting tissue running from the heel to the ball of the foot 

Prosthesis 
an artificial body part replacement 

Radius 
the shorter of the two bones of the forearm 

Rheumatoid Arthritis 
an inflammatory disease that involves the lining of the joint (synovium). The inflammation often affects the joints of the hands and the feet and tends to occur equally on both sides of the body 

R.I.C.E. - Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation 

Scoliosis 
a lateral, or sideways, curvature and rotation of the back bones (vertebrae), giving the appearance that a person is leaning to one side 

Shin Splints 
damage to one of the two groups of muscles along the shin bone that causes pain 

Soft Tissues 
the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the musculoskeletal system 

Sprain 
a partial or complete tear of a ligament 

Strain 
a partial or complete tear of a muscle or tendon 

Stress Fracture 
a bone injury caused by overuse 

Synovial Fluid 
a clear, sticky fluid that is released by the synovial membrane and acts as a lubricant for joints and tendons 

Tendon 
the tough cords of the tissue that connect muscles to bones 

Tendonitis 
an inflammation in a tendon or the tendon covering 

Tibia 
shin bone or larger bone of the lower leg 

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 on the tendon and prevents it from gliding smoothly. In some cases, the tendon catches and then suddenly releases as though a trigger were released 

Ulnar Bone 
the longer of the two bones in the forearm 

Ultrasound
a diagnostic technique which uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs 

X-Ray 
a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film