AC – Acromioclavicular joint.

Achilles tendon repair – Surgical repair of the heel cord that is the extension from the triceps surae group of muscles.

Acromioplasty – Surgical removal of the anterior hook of the acromion to relieve mechanical compression of the rotator cuff during movement of the glenohumeral joint.

ACL/PCL (anterior cruciate ligament/posterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction - Surgical repair of the cruciate ligaments of the knees.

Arthrodesis – The surgical fixation of a joint by a procedure designed to accomplish fusion of the joint surfaces by promoting the proliferation of bone cells.

Arthrogram – A radiographic record after introduction of opaque contrast material into a joint.

Arthroplasty – Reconstructive surgery of a joint or joints to restore motion because of ankylosis or trauma or to prevent excessive motion.

Arthroscopy – Examination of the interior of a joint with an arthroscope. (Arthroscope – an endoscope for examining the interior of a joint and for carrying out diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within the joint.)

Arthrotomy – Surgical incision of a joint.

Aspiration – Removal by suction; used to remove excess fluid or gas from a body cavity and to obtain biopsy specimens.

Bunionectomy – Excision of an abnormal prominence on the mesial aspect of the first metatarsal head.

Bursectomy – Excision of a bursa. (Bursa – A sac filled with fluid located between a bone and a tendon or muscle.)

Capsulorrhaphy – Suturing of a capsule, especially a joint capsule. (Capsule – An anatomical structure enclosing an organ or body part.)

Carpal tunnel release – Surgical procedure to relieve compression of the median nerve of the wrist.

CT (computed tomography) scan – A specialized x-ray study that allows careful evaluation of the bone and spinal canal.

Chondroplasty – Plastic surgery on cartilage; repair of lacerated or displaced cartilage.

Closed reduction/Open reduction – (Closed) The manipulative reduction of a fracture or dislocation without incision./(Open) Reduction of a fracture or dislocation after surgical incision into the site.

Custom splint fabrication – Custom or prefabricated orthotic devices designed to support, protect, or immobilize or to correct deformities of the hand/upper extremity.

Debridement – The removal of foreign material and devitalized or contaminated tissue from or adjacent to a traumatic or infected lesion until surrounding healthy tissue is exposed.

Decompression – A surgical operation for the relief of pressure in a body compartment.

Desensitization – Treatment of hypersensitivity and pain secondary to nerve injury, partial nerve injury, nerve compression, and soft tissue injuries.

de Quervain’s release – Surgical release of the tendon sheath of the APL (abductor pollicis longus) and the EPB (extensor pollicis brevis) muscles that extends/adducts the thumb.

Discectomy – The excision of intervertebral disc material that may be described as herniated, implying “bulging” or “ruptured” through the ligaments.

Distal clavicle excison – Surgical excision of the distal end of the clavicle to relieve impingement of the shoulder or degenerative joint disease of the AC (acromioclavicular) joint.

DRUJ – Distal radioulnar joint.

DTR – Deep tendon reflexes.

EMG (electromyogram) – A test to evaluate nerve and muscle function.

Epidural steroid injection – An injection that delivers steroids directly into the epidural space in the spine.

Excision – Removal by cutting.

Exploration – Investigation or examination, sometimes including surgery, for diagnostic purposes.

External fixation/Internal fixation – (External) A method for stabilizing fractures by means of pins drilled in to the bony parts through the overlying skin and connected by metal bars./(Internal) Open reduction and stabilization of fractured bony parts by direct fixation to one another with surgical wires, screws, pins, and plates.

Fasciectomy – Surgical excision of fascia. (Fascia – A sheet or band of fibrous tissue such as lies deep to the skin or forms an investment for muscles and various other organs of the body.)

Fusion – The operative formation of an ankylosis or arthrodesis (see arthrodesis above).

FX – fracture.

I&D – Incision and drainage.

ICBG – Iliac crest bone graft.

Immobilize – To render incapable of being moved, as by a cast or splint.

Iontophoresis – Process whereby ions in solution are transferred through the intact skin via electrical potential using bipolar electrodes.

Mobilization – Capability of movement, of being moved, or of flowing freely.

Laminectomy – Excision of the posterior arch of a vertebra.

Laminotomy – Division of the lamina of a vertebra.

LLE – Left lower extremity.

LUE – Left upper extremity.

Manipulation under anesthesia – The forceful passive movement of a joint beyond its active limit of motion while under sedation.

MCL – Medial collateral ligament.

Meniscectomy – Excision of an intraarticular meniscus (a general term for a crescent-shaped structure of the body), as in the knee joint.

Minimally invasive surgery – Surgery requiring small incisions, usually performed with endoscopic visualization.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – The use of magnetic resonance to create images of the structures in the body by exciting hydrogen nuclei or protons in the body in a static magnetic field, after introducing a radiofrequency.

Myelogram – A specific x-ray study that uses an injection of a dye or contrast material into the spinal canal to allow careful evaluation of the spinal canal and nerve roots.

NCS (Nerve conduction studies) – Electroneurography – The measurement of the conduction velocity and latency of peripheral nerves.

Neurectomy – The excision of a part of a nerve.

Neurloysis – 1. Release of a nerve sheath by cutting it longitudinally. 2. The operative breaking up of perineural adhesions. 3. The relief of tension upon a nerve obtained by stretching. 4. Destruction or dissolution of nerve tissue; sometimes done as a temporary or permanent measure for the relief of pain or spasticity.

ORIF – Open reduction, internal fixation.

Orthopaedic – Pertaining to the correction of deformities of the musculoskeletal system.

Orthopaedic surgery – That branch of surgery which is specially concerned with the preservation and restoration of the function of the skeletal system, its articulations and associates structures.

Orthotics – The science that deals with orthoses (braces) designed to provide external control, correction, and support.

Osteotomy – The surgical cutting of a bone to change the alignment of bone with or without removal of a portion of that bone.

OT/PT – Occupational therapy/Physical therapy.

PRC – Proximal row carpectomy.

Prosthetics – The science that deals with functional and/or cosmetic restoration for all or part of a missing limb. (prosthesis – artificial limb)

PX – Pain.

RIE – Rest, ice, and elevate.

RCR – Rotator cuff tear – Tear of the rotator cuff tendons. (Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, or subscapularis.)

RLE – Right lower extremity.

RUE – Right upper extremity.

Sprain – A joint injury in which some of the fibers of a supporting ligament are ruptured but the continuity of the ligament remains intact.

Strain – An overstretching or overexertion of some part of the musculature.

Stress fractures – A bone injury caused by overuse.

Subacromial decompression – Surgical procedure to relieve impingement of the shoulder.

Transposition – Surgical procedure of carrying a tissue flap from one situation to another without severing its connection entirely until it is united at its new location. (Example: ulnar nerve transposition – transposition of the nervus ulnaris of the hand.)

Viscosupplementation injections – Injection of viscous fluid into a synovial joint in order to treat a painful, arthritic joint.