Orthopaedic Glossary - Mr Ilan Freedman

This Orthopaedic Glossary is a helpful listing of common orthopaedic terms with simple definitions. Patients are advised to contact Mr Freedman for more details or explanation if required.

Abduction

Movement of an extremity away from the body.

Acetabulum

The socket of the hip joint

Achilles tendinitis

Inflammation of the Achilles tendon.

ACL (Anterior cruciate ligament)

Ligament located in the centre of the knee that controls rotation and forward movement of the tibia (shin bone) relative to the femur (thigh bone).

Adduction

Movement of an extremity toward the body.

Adhesive capsulitis

Also called frozen shoulder. A condition resulting from any inflammatory process in the shoulder in which capsular scar tissue is produced, resulting in pain and limited range of motion

Analgesia

The relief of pain. Analgesic: Pain-relieving medication

Ankylosing spondylitis

An inflammatory disorder affecting the low back and pelvis and produces stiffness and pain

Anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS)

A bony projection from the front of the ilium bone, Serves as the origin of the sartorius muscle.

Anteroposterior (AP) view

An X-ray view in which the x-ray tube is in front of the object being X-rayed and the film cassette is at the back. The x-ray beam passes from front to back.

Arthrodesis

Surgical fusion of a joint. The procedure removes any remaining articular cartilage and positions the adjacent bones to promote bone growth across the joint. A successful fusion eliminates movement of and stabilises and removes pain from the joint.

Arthrography

A procedure in which a contrast medium (often just air) is injected into a joint to outline soft tissues, and then an X-ray taken.

Arthroplasty

A procedure to replace the surface of a damaged joint. Total joint arthroplasty is replacement of both sides of the joint. Hemiarthroplasty replaces only one side of a joint

Arthroscopy

A procedure in which a fiberoptic camera is introduced into an area of the body through a small incision. Minimally invasive surgery is then performed with the surgeon viewing the joint on a computer monitor.

Articular cartilage

The smooth surface layer that covers the ends of bones that articulate with each other to form a joint.

Aspiration

Removal of fluids from a joint or body cavity. This is usually performed to obtain specimens for analysis.

Avascular necrosis (AVN)

A condition in which cartilage cells die as a result of inadequate blood supply.

Bipartite patella

Knee cap that has developed an accessory bony fragment.

Bisphosphonates

Class of medication that are potent inhibitors of bone resorption. May be used to treat osteoporosis and Paget disease.

Bone scan

A special imaging study used to identify lesions in bone such as fracture, infections, or a tumour. A radioisotope is injected and allowed to circulate through the body. The distribution of radioactivity in the skeleton is measured by a special camera that can detect the emission of radiation. Lesions in bone with increased metabolic activity show increased uptake of the radioisotope and appear as a dark area in the bone.

Bucket-handle tear

A tear of the central segment of the meniscus with the torn fragment “flipped” into the joint, like the handle of a bucket.

Bursa

A sac formed by two layers of synovial tissue, which is located where there is friction between a tendon and bone or skin and bone.

Bursitis

Inflammation of a bursa

Calcaneus

The heel bone

Capsule

Collagenous tissue envelope that surrounds a joint. The capsule, along with ligaments, tendons, and bony structure, provides stability to the joint.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Is characterised by pain, numbness, and weakness in the part of the hand supplied by the median nerve.