Thinking about becoming a physiotherapist? These are 20 words that I highly recommend that you get familiar with as quickly as possible so that you feel more confident working in the field. You'll see, there are used many times in a day!
abduction
noun
An abduction movement is the motion of a limb or body part away from the mid line of the body.
Example: Weakness of thumb ABDUCTION - due to loss of innervation to the Abductor Pollicis Brevis muscle.
fr: abduction
anatomy
noun
Anatomy is the scientific study of the physical structure and organization of living organisms and their parts.
Example: Postmortems damage to the fragile facial bones has resulted in much reduced facial ANATOMY, however, caries of the right maxillary first molar, accounted for the considerable calculus on the teeth of the right maxilla and mandible.
fr: anatomie
atrophy
noun
Atrophy means the partial or complete wasting away, shrinking, or loss of strength of a body part, tissue, or organ.
Example: The scapula displays no evidence of healed fracture or joint disease, although an absence of the left scapula within the assemblage does not allow comparison of dimension and therefore restricts interpretation of possible ATROPHY.
fr: atrophie
bones
noun
Bones are the hard, rigid pieces of connective tissue that form the internal skeleton of humans and most other vertebrates.
Example: None the less they are essential vitamins for healthy vision, teeth, and BONES.
fr: os
clinic
noun
A clinic is a healthcare facility dedicated to outpatient care, where people go for medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice without staying overnight.
Example: Findings showed that an educational intervention resulted in a reduction in visits to the child health CLINIC.
fr: clinique
crutch
noun
A crutch is a physical support device used to help a person walk or a metaphorical support that someone relies on too heavily.
Example: Are you able to stand on both feet using the CRUTCH in your left hand? Now use the CRUTCH in your left hand to take some of the weight and see if you are able to take a step with your right foot.
fr: béquille
edema
noun
Edema is the medical term for swelling caused by fluid trapped in your body's tissues.
Example: The use of manipulation can also be employed in the reaction phase and is suggested in the areas of fixation that have resulted from the injury. This will expedite the removal of hemoarthrosis, reduce spasms, EDEMA and pain as well as reduce nerve root irritation when present.
fr: œdème
extension
noun
An EXTENSION movement is an anatomical action that straightens a joint and increases the angle between two adjoining body parts.
Example: The patient performs an elbow extension, using the triceps
fr: extension
flexion
noun
A flexion is the anatomical and medical term for bending a joint so that the angle between two connected bones decreases.
Example: Prescription medical intervention The following options are available for managing carpal tunnel syndrome: Light wrists splints - these can limit FLEXION and provide temporary relief of symptoms particularly at night, and can be useful during pregnancies.
fr: flexion
geriatrics
noun
Geriatrics is a medical specialty focused on the health care, diagnosis, and treatment of older adults.
Example: This elderly person was referred to a GERIATRIC specialist to regain functional autonomy.
fr: gériatrie
goniometer
noun
A goniometer is an instrument used to measure angles, most commonly the range of motion in human joints.
Example: Range of movement - measured using goniometry; a short arm and a finger GONIOMETER to measure range of movement at the wrist and MCP joints.
fr: goniomètre
ligament
noun
A ligament is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to other bones or supports internal organs.
Example: Due to the tearing of some fibers, there is a decrease in the tensile strength of LIGAMENT capsule or a decrease in the contractile strength of muscle, both of which cause interference with function.
fr: ligament
mobility
noun
Mobility means the ability to move or be moved freely, easily, and with control.
Example: Effective rehabilitation entails an inevitable risk of falls as patients are encouraged to regain independent MOBILITY.
fr: mobilité
muscle
noun
A muscle is a type of body tissue made of cells or fibers that tighten (contract) and relax to produce movement.
Example: The massiveness of Neanderthals is suggested by the enlargements of the MUSCLE attachments areas on Neanderthal bones.
fr: muscle
orthopedics
noun
Orthopedics is a medical specialty focused on the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Example: After his surgery, the patient was referred to a specialist in ORTHOPEDICS.
fr: orthopédie
osteoporosis
noun
A medical condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and much more likely to break.
Example: Encouraging healthy aging is necessary to reduce the prevalence of diseases in the elderly such as CHD, cancer, Alzheimer's, OSTEOPOROSIS, and Parkinson's.
fr: ostéoporose
proprioception
noun
Proprioception is your body's unconscious ability to sense its own movement, force, and position in space.
Example: As the fibula is involved in maintaining the stability of the ankle joint, balance training and PROPRIOCEPTION are also an important part of rehabilitation.
fr: proprioception
sprain
noun
A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament, which is the tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones in a joint.
Example: On he went to the GP, who was initially treating him for a muscular SPRAIN, as no other clinical evidence of lung pathology was evident.
fr: entorse
theraband
noun
A Theraband is a brand-name elastic exercise band used for strength training, physical therapy, and muscle rehabilitation.
Example: The therapist uses a THERABAND to add resistance during the exercises.
fr: theraband
ultrasound
noun
Ultrasound in physiotherapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-frequency sound waves to treat soft tissue injuries and relieve pain.
Example: In this experiment, the wave pulses are produced by transducers, whose mechanical vibrations (causing the ULTRASOUND) are made by the Piezoelectric effect.
