Medical Library

Abduction – moving a limb away from the body’s midline

Adduction – bringing back a limb back to the body’s midline

Arthroscopic surgery – a less-invasive method to identify and mend joint injuries

Base of Support – the weight-bearing part of the body

Bursitis – swelling of the fluid filled sacs that pads zones of pressure between joints, muscles, and tendons.

Calcaneal Valgum – flattening the arch of the foot by angling the heel outward

Calcaneal Varum – increasing or heightening the arch of the foot by angling the heel inward

Centralization – determines the proper exercise for your back pain or neck pain

Clubfoot – describes a congenital deformity of the legs and feet

Coccydynia – a condition where a person has a tail bone

Cold packs – frozen gel substance used to treat pain and inflammation

Electrical Stimulation – procedure used to strengthen muscles and stimulate healing

External rotation – outward rotation of the limb from the body

Flexion – winding or forward movement of the spine or limbs

Foot drop – a condition where the ankle cannot lift the foot

Geriatrics – the study of medicine regarding disease progressions of aging

Goniometer – a tool used in physical therapy to regulate range of motion

Hamstrings – group of muscles on the back of the thigh that can flex the knee and straighten the hip

Hemarthrosis – bleeding in a joint

Hot packs – tool used to reduce pain due to muscle spasms and strains

Hyperextension – extreme movement in the extension

Hypermobility – movement beyond regular range of motion

Hypotonic- similar to limp

Instability – deficiency in the firmness of weight-bearing

Internal rotation – inward rotation of the limb towards the body

Iontophoresis – distribution of medication through the skin with the use of electrical current

Kinesthesia – conscious perception of the movement of the body

Kyphosis – also known as “hunchback”

Lumbar – referring to the low back

Midline – the hypothetical lines that divide the body into two equal halves; vertically or horizontally

Paresis – refers to partial paralysis

Paresthesia – an unusual sensation of the skin

Pes Planus – refers to flat feet

Proprioception – capability to identify the placement of one’s arm or leg in the air

Proximal – closest to the center of the body

Range of Motion- range of motion available at any joint

Recurvatum – backward bending of the knees

Reflex – involuntary response to a stimulus

Sciatica – a condition where pain is radiating down the leg because of a compressed sciatic nerve Spasticity – contracted muscles that results to stiff and awkward movements

Supine – lying on the back

Symmetrical – symmetry of the body wherein the right and left halves are mirror images of each other

Tactile Defensiveness – negative reaction or increased sensitivity to touch

Trigger point – a taught band of muscle that can deliver pain to numerous parts of the body

Unilateral – occurring on only one side of the body

Weight shift – movement of body weight from one side to another