Orthopaedic Terminology

Abstract

The breadth of orthopaedic terminology is extensive and can seem a completely unique language compared to the rest of medicine. This chapter is not meant to be all inclusive, rather to provide several common abbreviations and definitions you will encounter during your orthopaedic rotations. Knowing these terms will give you a basis on which to expand your orthopaedic vocabulary.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. AAOS—OrthoInfo: Glossary. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery webpage. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/glossary.cfm. Published 2017. Accessed 24 Apr 2017.

What do the following abbreviations stand for?	ORIF? A: Open reduction and internal fixation
	CRPP? A: Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning
	WBAT? A: Weight bearing as tolerated
	NWB? A: Non weight bearing
	FROM? A: Full range of motion
	THA? A: Total hip arthroplasty
	TKA? A: Total knee arthroplasty
What is an open fracture ?	Fracture with communication between the bone and outside of the skin
What is the difference between a ligament and a tendon ?	Ligament connects bone to bone, tendon connects muscle to bone
What is an external fixator ?	Device positioned with pins into the two ends of a fractured bone or dislocation with bars outside of the skin. It is used to immobilize bones and joints. Most commonly used while waiting for soft tissues to become appropriate for internal fixation
Define arthroplasty	Reconstructive surgery of a joint (i.e. joint replacement)
Define arthrodesis	Surgical fusion of a joint
Define arthrocentesis	Removal of fluid from a joint
Define osteotomy	Surgical procedure that changes the alignment of bone
Define arthroscopy	Surgical procedure to diagnose and treat problems inside a joint using a minimally invasive scope
Define sprain	Partial or complete tear of a ligament
Define strain	Partial or complete tear of a muscle or tendon
Define varus	Distal segment angled toward anatomic midline
Define valgus	Distal segment angled away from anatomic midline