Orthopaedic terms Flashcards
What is varus?
Deformity or angulation towards the midline
What is valgus?
Deformity or angulation away from the midline.
Recurvatum?
Abnormal hyperextension of the knee joint.
Cavus?
abnormally arched (used in relation to the foot)
Planus?
Flat (used in relation to the foot)
Alta?
High (in relation to the patella)
Baja?
Low (in relation to the patella)
Scoliosis?
Abnormal lateral curvature
Lordosis?
Posterior curvature (normal in cervical and lumbar regions)
Kyphosis?
Anterior curvature (normal in thoracic region)
What is ankylosis?
Joint fusion secondary to a pathological process (usually inflammation) - usually fibrosis
What is arthrodesis?
Joint fusion brought about by operation. Always bony.
What is osteosclerosis?
Increased bone mineral content
What is osteomalacia?
Decreased bone mineral content
What is an antalgic gait?
Painful and with a short stance phase; seen in any condition of the lower leg where the pain is exacerbated by weight bearing (e.g. OA of the hip)
Describe a stiff leg gait
Fused hip or knee joint causes abnormal swing through when the pelvis has to be rotated to bring the leg through
What is a Trendelenburg gait?
With proximal muscle weakness the pelvis on the opposite side sags during the stance phase (seen in developmental dysplasia of the hip, poliomyelitis and OA of the hip).
What is a stamping gait?
Swing through phase is abnormal with broad base and high stepping (often caused by peripheral neuropathy with tabes dorsalis).
What is an ataxic gait?
Broad based unsteadiness on turning (cerebellar disease, MS, head injury).
What is foot drop?
During swing through, foot scuffs on the ground due to an L5 root lesion, common peroneal nerve palsy or old poliomyelitis.
