Medical Terminology

Dorsalgia

(dors/o- back, algia- pain) upper back pain

Fibromyalgia

(fibr/o- fiber, my/o- muscle, algia- pain) disorder characterized by musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, muscle stiffness and spasms, and sleep disturbances

Kyphosis

(kyph/o- round back, osis- abnormal condition) extreme posterior curvature of the thoracic area of the spine

Lordosis

(lord/o- swayback, osis- abnormal condition) exaggerated anterior curve of the lumbar vertebrae (lower back)

Lumbago

(lumb/o- lumbar, ago- disease) lower back pain

Myasthenia gravis

(my/o- muscle, a- without, sthenia- condition of strength, gravis- severe) usually severe condition characterized by fatigue and progressive muscle weakness, especially of the face and throat

Osteomalacia

(oste/o- bone, malacia- softening) softening of bone caused by loss of minerals from the bony matrix as a result of vitamin D deficiency

Osteosarcoma

(oste/o- bone, sarcoma- connective tissue cancer) malignant tumor of bone

Osteoporosis

(oste/o: bone, por/o: passage, -osis: abnormal condition of)- This is the loss of bone mass, which results in bones becoming brittle, fragile and weak; may be due to age, lack of hormones, not enough calcium in bones, or lack of exercise. Less severe bone mass loss is called osteopenia.

Prosthesis

(prothes/o- addition, is- thing) an artificial body part that is constructed to replace missing limbs, eyes, and other body parts

Scoliosis

(scoli/o- curvature, osis- abnormal condition) lateral S curve of the spine that can cause an individual to lose inches in height

Computed tomography (CT scan)

(tom/o- section, graphy- process of recording) imaging technology that records transverse planes of the body for diagnostic purposes

Full-weight bearing (FWB)

A doctor's order stating that a person has the ability to support full body weight on both legs and has no weight bearing limitations

Partial weight-bearing (PWB)

A doctor's order stating that a person is able to support some body weight on one or both legs. Phantom limb pain: pain in a limb (or extremity) that has been amputated

Non-weight bearing (NWB)

A doctor's order stating that a person is unable to touch the floor with the leg that is injured/affected. While you stand or walk, you must hold your affected leg off the floor.

Total knee replacement (TKR)

A surgical replacement of a damaged or painful knee with artificial materials.

Total hip replacement (THR)

A surgical replacement of the head of the femur (long bone of the leg) and the socket it fits into where it joins the hip with artificial materials

Sling

a bandage or piece of material that is suspended from the neck for the purpose of holding and supporting a forearm.

Fracture

a broken bone (two types: traumatic, pathologic/spontaneous; also 2 classifications for all fractures: simple/closed- does not rupture the skin & compound/open- splits open the skin)

bursitis

a condition in which the bursae become inflamed and painful

Arthritis

a general term that refers to inflammation of the joints

Muscular dystrophy

an inherited, progressive, disease that causes a gradual wasting of muscle, weakness, and deformity.

tendons

connective tissue that connects muscles to bones

ligaments

fibrous bands of connective tissue that connects bone to bone

Muscles

groups of tissues that contract and relax, allowing motion, supporting the body, protecting organs, and creating heat

X-ray (radiograph)

imaging technique using electromagnetic radiation for recording internal structres

hydro-

prefix literally means "water", but usually means any tyoe of bodily fluid in general

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

procedure that uses magnetic properties to record detailed information about internal structures

Analgesics

reduce pain

Amputation

removal of a limb when there is no feasible options to save it

bones

rigid connective tissue that make up the skeleton, lend support to body structures, allow the body to move, an protect the organs

-osis

suffix meaning abnormal condition of

-dynia, -algia

suffix meaning pain

Joints

the points where two bones meet; provide movement and flexibility

Cartilage

the protective substance that covers the ends of bones and makes up the discs that are found between vertebrae

bursae

tiny sacs of fluid that are located near the joints and help reduce friction

antiinflammmatories

used to reduce inflammation and pain

Phantom sensation

warmth, itching, or tingling from a body part that has been amputated