Musculoskeletal Abbreviations

This list collects 474 musculoskeletal abbreviations — bone, joint and muscle terms used in orthopaedics, rheumatology and physiotherapy. Every entry shows the full form and a plain-English meaning. One abbreviation can appear in several specialty lists when it is genuinely used in more than one area, and abbreviations with more than one common meaning get a row for each meaning. Terms flagged ⚠ Error-prone are on recognised error-prone lists: write them out in full wherever possible.

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Abbreviation	Full form	What it means	Used in
90-90 traction	ninety-ninety traction (femur)	Hip and knee bent traction for thigh fractures	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Surgery
AAROM	active-assisted range of motion	Joint movement a person performs with some help	Musculoskeletal
ACDF	anterior cervical discectomy and fusion	Neck disc removal and fusion from the front	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
Achilles repair	Achilles tendon repair	Stitching a torn heel tendon	Surgery Musculoskeletal
ACL	anterior cruciate ligament	Knee ligament preventing forward shin movement	Musculoskeletal
ACL recon	anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction	Rebuilding the knee's central ligament	Surgery Musculoskeletal
ACR20	American College of Rheumatology 20 percent response	Rheumatoid arthritis trial improvement threshold	Musculoskeletal
ACS	acute compartment syndrome	Dangerous pressure build-up within a muscle compartment	Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
Adams test	Adams forward bend test (scoliosis)	Bending screen for spinal curvature	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
AFO	ankle-foot orthosis (device)	Brace supporting the ankle — device	Musculoskeletal Neurology Nursing
AIN	anterior interosseous nerve	Deep branch of the median nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
ALIF	anterior lumbar interbody fusion	Back fusion from the front	Surgery Musculoskeletal
ANA	antinuclear antibody	Immune antibody test used in autoimmune conditions	Laboratory Musculoskeletal
ankle fusion	ankle arthrodesis (fusion)	Fusing the ankle joint	Surgery Musculoskeletal
ankle pumps	ankle pumps (exercise)	Foot flexing exercise promoting circulation	Nursing Musculoskeletal
antalgic gait	antalgic gait (pain)	Short-stance painful walking	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
Anti-CCP	anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide	Antibody test supporting rheumatoid arthritis	Laboratory Musculoskeletal
Anti-Jo-1	anti-Jo-1 antibody	Autoimmune antibody linked to muscle inflammation	Laboratory Musculoskeletal
Anti-La	anti-La/SSB antibody	Autoimmune antibody linked to Sjogren's syndrome	Laboratory Musculoskeletal
Anti-Ro	anti-Ro/SSA antibody	Autoimmune antibody linked to Sjogren's and lupus	Laboratory Musculoskeletal
Anti-Scl-70	anti-topoisomerase I antibody	Autoimmune antibody linked to systemic sclerosis	Laboratory Musculoskeletal
AO/OTA	AO Foundation Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification	Standard fracture classification system	Musculoskeletal Surgery Radiology & Imaging
APL	abductor pollicis longus (muscle)	Thumb abducting muscle	Musculoskeletal
ARAT	Action Research Arm Test	Arm function test after stroke	Neurology Musculoskeletal
AROM	active range of motion	Joint movement a person performs by themselves	Musculoskeletal
AROM against gravity	active range of motion against gravity	Movement strength grade descriptor	Musculoskeletal Neurology
arthrodesis	arthrodesis (joint fusion procedure)	Surgically fusing a joint	Surgery Musculoskeletal
AS	ankylosing spondylitis	Inflammatory disease mainly affecting the spine	Musculoskeletal
ASES	American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score	Shoulder outcome questionnaire	Musculoskeletal
ASO	antistreptolysin O	Antibody showing recent streptococcus infection	Laboratory Infectious Disease Musculoskeletal
Aspen	Aspen collar (brand-generic)	Common rigid neck collar type	Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
asymmetric folds	asymmetric thigh folds (soft sign)	Uneven creases, a weak hip dysplasia clue	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
ATA	anterior tibial artery	Front lower-leg artery	General Medical Musculoskeletal
ATFL	anterior talofibular ligament	Ankle ligament most commonly injured in sprains	Musculoskeletal
atlantoaxial	atlantoaxial instability (Down)	Neck joint looseness screening in Down syndrome	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Neurology
AVN	avascular necrosis	Bone death from loss of blood supply	Musculoskeletal
axillary art	axillary artery	Artery through the armpit	General Medical Musculoskeletal
axillary n	axillary nerve (anatomy)	Nerve to the shoulder cap muscle	Neurology Musculoskeletal
axSpA	axial spondyloarthritis	Inflammatory arthritis mainly affecting spine and sacroiliac joints	Musculoskeletal
back pain child	back pain (childhood red flag)	Back pain in young children needing evaluation	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
Bankart	Bankart repair (shoulder)	Reattaching the shoulder's front rim after dislocation	Surgery Musculoskeletal
BASDAI	Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index	Ankylosing spondylitis activity questionnaire	Musculoskeletal
bDMARD	biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug	Targeted immune medicine slowing arthritis damage	Prescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
BESS	Balance Error Scoring System	Stance error concussion test	Pediatrics Neurology Musculoskeletal
BF	biceps femoris (muscle)	Outer hamstring muscle	Musculoskeletal
biceps tenodesis	biceps tenodesis (shoulder)	Reattaching the biceps tendon in the shoulder	Surgery Musculoskeletal
BILAG	British Isles Lupus Assessment Group index	Organ-by-organ lupus activity index	Musculoskeletal Renal & Nephrology
birth fracture	birth fracture (clavicle)	Collarbone break during delivery	Pediatrics Obstetrics & Gynecology Musculoskeletal
BMD	Becker muscular dystrophy	Inherited muscle disease, milder and later than Duchenne type	Musculoskeletal Neurology
BMD	bone mineral density	Amount of mineral measured in bone, reflecting strength	Musculoskeletal
Bone scan	bone scintigraphy	Nuclear scan showing bone activity	Radiology & Imaging Musculoskeletal Hematology & Oncology
bone scan	skeletal scintigraphy	Nuclear scan of the skeleton for spread or injury	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology Musculoskeletal
BoNT	botulinum neurotoxin (spasticity)	Stiffness-relaxing injections — spasticity	Neurology Prescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
Boston brace	Boston brace (scoliosis)	Underarm scoliosis brace	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
boutonniere	boutonniere deformity (finger)	Bent middle joint finger deformity	Musculoskeletal
bow legs	genu varum (physiologic)	Bow legs, usually normal in toddlers	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
boxer fracture	boxer's fracture (hand)	Fifth knuckle neck fracture	Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
brachial art	brachial artery	Main upper arm artery	General Medical Musculoskeletal
brachial plexus anatomy	brachial plexus (anatomy)	Nerve network supplying the arm — anatomy	Neurology Musculoskeletal
bracing scoliosis	bracing (scoliosis treatment)	Curve-stopping brace treatment	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
Bryant traction	Bryant traction (toddler femur)	Overhead leg traction for toddler thigh fractures	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Nursing
Buck traction	Buck traction (skin)	Skin traction for hip fractures	Musculoskeletal Nursing
bucket handle	bucket-handle fracture (metaphyseal)	Curved growth-end fracture appearance	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
buckle fracture	torus fracture (buckle)	Bent-bone compression fracture of childhood	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
buddy tape	buddy taping (fingers/toes)	Taping an injured digit to its neighbor	Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care Nursing
bulky Jones	bulky Jones dressing (padded)	Thick padded compression splint dressing	Musculoskeletal Surgery
bunionectomy	bunionectomy (hallux valgus correction)	Big-toe deformity correction surgery	Surgery Musculoskeletal
C-spine	cervical spine	The neck portion of the spine	Emergency & Critical Care Musculoskeletal
C-spine collar	cervical collar (device)	Neck immobilizing collar — device	Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care Nursing
calcaneovalgus	calcaneovalgus foot (positional)	Upward bent newborn foot position	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
carpal tunnel release	carpal tunnel release (procedure)	Cutting the wrist ligament freeing the nerve	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
causalgia	causalgia (CRPS type II)	Burning pain after a nerve injury	Neurology Musculoskeletal
CDAI	Clinical Disease Activity Index	Rheumatoid arthritis activity score without labs	Musculoskeletal
CDP	computerized dynamic posturography	Balance platform testing	Neurology Musculoskeletal
cephalomedullary	cephalomedullary nail (hip fracture)	Rod into the thigh bone extending into the ball	Surgery Musculoskeletal
cervical ADR	cervical artificial disc replacement	Motion-preserving neck disc implant	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
Charleston brace	Charleston bending brace (nighttime)	Night-only scoliosis brace	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
cheilectomy	cheilectomy (joint spur removal)	Shaving bone spurs from a stiff joint	Surgery Musculoskeletal
chemodenervation	chemodenervation (procedure)	Chemical nerve block relaxing muscles — procedure	Neurology Musculoskeletal
Chopart	Chopart injury (midfoot joint)	Midfoot joint fracture-dislocation	Musculoskeletal Surgery
clavicle child	clavicle fracture (childhood)	Collarbone break of childhood	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
clubfoot surgery	clubfoot surgery (posteromedial release)	Correcting a congenital foot deformity	Surgery Musculoskeletal Pediatrics
CMD	congenital muscular dystrophy	Muscle disease present from birth	Pediatrics Neurology Musculoskeletal
coaptation	coaptation splint (humerus)	U-shaped upper arm splint	Musculoskeletal
Cobb	Cobb angle (measurement)	Spine curvature measurement — measurement	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
compartment child	compartment syndrome (childhood)	Tight muscle pressure emergency — childhood	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care Surgery
concussion	sports concussion (management)	Head impact brain injury — sports	Pediatrics Neurology Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
corner fracture	corner fracture (metaphyseal)	Growth-end chip fracture	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
CPM	continuous passive motion	Machine slowly moving a joint after surgery	Musculoskeletal Nursing
CPN	common peroneal nerve (common fibular)	Nerve wrapping the fibula head, causing foot drop when injured	Neurology Musculoskeletal
CPPD	calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease	Crystal arthritis causing joint pain, often in the knee	Musculoskeletal
craniotabes	craniotabes (soft skull sign)	Ping-pong soft skull of rickets	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
CRIF	closed reduction and internal fixation	Bone realignment without opening, fixed with hardware	Musculoskeletal Surgery
CRPP	closed reduction percutaneous pinning	Aligning and pinning a fracture without opening it	Surgery Musculoskeletal
CRPS	complex regional pain syndrome	Long-lasting limb pain after injury, with colour and temperature changes	Neurology Musculoskeletal
csDMARD	conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug	Traditional medicine slowing arthritis damage	Prescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
CSM	circulation, sensation, movement	Checks of blood flow, feeling and motion in a limb	Emergency & Critical Care Musculoskeletal
CTO	cervicothoracic orthosis	Neck and chest brace	Musculoskeletal Surgery
CTR open	open carpal tunnel release	Traditional incision wrist release	Surgery Musculoskeletal
CTS	carpal tunnel syndrome	Hand numbness and tingling from a compressed wrist nerve	Musculoskeletal Neurology
CTX	C-terminal telopeptide	Bone breakdown marker	Laboratory Endocrinology Musculoskeletal
cubital release	cubital tunnel release	Freeing the elbow's ulnar nerve	Surgery Musculoskeletal Neurology
DAS28	Disease Activity Score 28	Rheumatoid arthritis activity score	Musculoskeletal Laboratory
DASH	Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand	Arm function questionnaire	Musculoskeletal
DDD	degenerative disc disease	Age-related wear of the spinal discs	Musculoskeletal
DDH	developmental dysplasia of the hip	Hip joint forming abnormally in babies	Musculoskeletal Pediatrics
DDH treatment	DDH treatment (harness)	Hip dysplasia harness care	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
delt	deltoid (muscle, shorthand)	Shoulder cap muscle shorthand	Musculoskeletal
DEXA	dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry	Scan measuring bone density	Endocrinology Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
DHS	dynamic hip screw	Metal implant fixing certain hip fractures	Musculoskeletal Surgery
DIP	distal interphalangeal joint	Joint nearest the fingertip or toe tip	Musculoskeletal
discectomy	discectomy (procedure)	Removing a herniated disc portion	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
discitis	discitis (childhood)	Spinal disc inflammation in children	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Infectious Disease
DJD	degenerative joint disease	Joint wear and tear, another name for osteoarthritis	Musculoskeletal
DM	dermatomyositis	Autoimmune disease causing muscle weakness and skin rash	Musculoskeletal
DM1	myotonic dystrophy type 1	Muscle stiffness and multisystem genetic disease	Neurology Endocrinology Musculoskeletal
DMARD	disease-modifying antirheumatic drug	Medicine slowing inflammatory arthritis damage	Prescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
DMD	Duchenne muscular dystrophy	Inherited disease causing progressive muscle weakness in childhood	Neurology Musculoskeletal Pediatrics
DP pulse	dorsalis pedis (pulse/artery)	Foot-top artery used for pulse checks	Nursing Musculoskeletal
DPN nerve	deep peroneal nerve (deep fibular)	Front lower-leg nerve lifting the foot	Neurology Musculoskeletal
dsDNA	double-stranded DNA antibody	Antibody strongly linked to lupus	Laboratory Renal & Nephrology Musculoskeletal
Dupuytren release	Dupuytren contracture release	Freeing contracted finger tissue	Surgery Musculoskeletal
DXA	dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry	Scan measuring bone density	Endocrinology Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
ECRB	extensor carpi radialis brevis (muscle)	Short wrist extending muscle	Musculoskeletal
ECRL	extensor carpi radialis longus (muscle)	Wrist extending muscle	Musculoskeletal
ECTR	endoscopic carpal tunnel release	Scope-based wrist release	Surgery Musculoskeletal
ECU	extensor carpi ulnaris (muscle)	Pinky-side wrist extending muscle	Musculoskeletal
EDC	extensor digitorum communis (muscle)	Finger extending muscle	Musculoskeletal
EDL	extensor digitorum longus (muscle)	Toe-lifting muscle	Musculoskeletal
EDS	Ehlers-Danlos syndrome	Group of inherited conditions causing flexible joints and stretchy skin	Musculoskeletal
EHL	extensor hallucis longus (muscle)	Big-toe lifting muscle	Musculoskeletal
EMG	electromyography	Test of electrical activity in muscles	Neurology Musculoskeletal
EPB	extensor pollicis brevis (muscle)	Short thumb extending muscle	Musculoskeletal
EPL	extensor pollicis longus (muscle)	Thumb extending muscle	Musculoskeletal
ES	erector spinae (muscle group)	Back straightening muscle group	Musculoskeletal
ESSDAI	EULAR Sjogren Syndrome Disease Activity Index	Sjogren activity score	Musculoskeletal
Essex-Lopresti	Essex-Lopresti injury (forearm)	Radial head fracture with membrane tear	Musculoskeletal Surgery
Ewing	Ewing sarcoma (diagnosis)	Bone and soft tissue tumor of youth	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Hematology & Oncology
FABER	flexion abduction external rotation (Patrick test)	Hip and sacroiliac pain test	Musculoskeletal Vitals & Assessment
FADIR	flexion adduction internal rotation test	Hip impingement test	Musculoskeletal Vitals & Assessment
FAI	femoroacetabular impingement	Hip pain from abnormal contact between ball and socket	Musculoskeletal
FAI surgery	femoroacetabular impingement surgery	Reshaping hip bones causing pinching	Surgery Musculoskeletal
fasciectomy	fasciectomy (Dupuytren)	Removing contracted palm tissue	Surgery Musculoskeletal
FCR	flexor carpi radialis (muscle)	Thumb-side wrist bending muscle	Musculoskeletal
FCU	flexor carpi ulnaris (muscle)	Pinky-side wrist bending muscle	Musculoskeletal
FDL	flexor digitorum longus (muscle)	Toe-bending muscle	Musculoskeletal
FDP	flexor digitorum profundus (muscle)	Deep finger bending muscle	Musculoskeletal
FDS	flexor digitorum superficialis (muscle)	Finger bending muscle, surface layer	Musculoskeletal
female athlete triad	female athlete triad (syndrome)	Low energy, period loss and bone loss in athletes	Psychiatry Endocrinology Obstetrics & Gynecology Musculoskeletal
femoral anteversion	femoral anteversion (in-toeing cause)	Inward thigh bone twist causing in-toeing	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
femoral n	femoral nerve (anatomy)	Main front thigh nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
femur fracture child	femoral shaft fracture (childhood)	Thigh bone break of childhood	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Surgery
FHL	flexor hallucis longus (muscle)	Big-toe bending muscle	Musculoskeletal
FIM	Functional Independence Measure	Rehabilitation disability score	Neurology Musculoskeletal Nursing
flat feet child	flexible flatfoot (childhood)	Flat arch standing that reforms on tiptoe	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
flatfoot recon	flatfoot reconstruction	Rebuilding a collapsed foot arch	Surgery Musculoskeletal
flexible nails	flexible intramedullary nails (pediatric femur)	Elastic rods for children's thigh fractures	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Surgery
FM	fibromyalgia	Long-term widespread pain with fatigue and sleep problems	Musculoskeletal
FOOSH	fall on outstretched hand (mechanism)	Common wrist injury mechanism acronym	Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
FPL	flexor pollicis longus (muscle)	Thumb bending muscle	Musculoskeletal
Freiberg	Freiberg infraction (metatarsal head)	Second toe joint bone collapse	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
FSHD	facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy	Face shoulder and arm muscle disease	Neurology Musculoskeletal
FWB	full weight-bearing	Putting full body weight through a limb	Musculoskeletal Nursing
Fx	fracture	A break in a bone	Musculoskeletal
Galeazzi fx	Galeazzi fracture-dislocation	Forearm fracture with wrist dislocation	Musculoskeletal Surgery
gallows traction	gallows traction (Bryant)	Alternate name for toddler overhead traction	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
gamekeeper	gamekeeper's thumb (skier's thumb)	Thumb ligament injury at the knuckle	Musculoskeletal Surgery
Gardner-Wells	Gardner-Wells tongs (skull traction)	Skull tongs for neck traction	Musculoskeletal Surgery Emergency & Critical Care
Gartland	Gartland classification (supracondylar)	Displacement classes of elbow fractures	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
Gastroc	gastrocnemius (calf muscle)	Large calf muscle	Musculoskeletal
GCA	giant cell arteritis	Inflammation of large arteries, often in the temple	Neurology Musculoskeletal
GCA eye	giant cell arteritis (ocular involvement)	Artery inflammation threatening vision	General Medical Emergency & Critical Care Musculoskeletal
glute max	gluteus maximus (muscle)	Main buttock muscle	Musculoskeletal
glute med	gluteus medius (muscle)	Hip-stabilizing buttock muscle	Musculoskeletal
GMFCS	Gross Motor Function Classification System	Cerebral palsy mobility level system	Pediatrics Neurology Musculoskeletal
greenstick	greenstick fracture (childhood)	Bent partial fracture of soft young bone	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
Grisel	Grisel syndrome (atlantoaxial subluxation)	Neck bone slip after throat inflammation	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
growing pains	growing pains (benign limb pain)	Evening leg aches of childhood	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
growing rods	growing rods (early scoliosis)	Lengthening rods for young spine curves	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Surgery
halo traction	halo traction (skull)	Ring-based skull pulling for spine alignment	Musculoskeletal Surgery
halo vest	halo vest (device)	Skull-ring neck immobilizer	Musculoskeletal Surgery Emergency & Critical Care
hammer toe	hammer toe correction	Straightening a bent toe	Surgery Musculoskeletal
HCQ	hydroxychloroquine	Medicine used for malaria and autoimmune conditions	Prescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
heel WB	heel weight bearing	Load through the heel only after foot surgery	Musculoskeletal Surgery Nursing
Hemiarth	hemiarthroplasty	Operation replacing half of a joint, often the hip	Musculoskeletal Surgery
hemiarthroplasty hip	hip hemiarthroplasty (procedure)	Replacing only the ball of the hip joint	Surgery Musculoskeletal
hip click	hip click (examination finding)	Clicking sound on baby hip examination	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
hip clunk	hip clunk (dislocation finding)	Felt shift of a dislocating hip	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
hip scope	hip arthroscopy (procedure)	Keyhole hip joint surgery	Surgery Musculoskeletal
hip surveillance	hip surveillance (CP program)	Scheduled hip X-rays in cerebral palsy	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
HKAFO	hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis	Full leg and hip brace	Musculoskeletal Neurology
HNP	herniated nucleus pulposus	A spinal disc bulging out through its outer layer	Musculoskeletal Neurology
HOOS	Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score	Hip function questionnaire	Musculoskeletal
humerus birth	birth-related humerus fracture ()	Arm bone break during delivery	Pediatrics Obstetrics & Gynecology Musculoskeletal
hypothenar	hypothenar muscles (pinky group)	Pinky base muscle group	Musculoskeletal
IBM	inclusion body myositis	Slowly progressive muscle disease mainly in older adults	Musculoskeletal Neurology
IKDC	International Knee Documentation Committee score	Knee evaluation form	Musculoskeletal
IM nail	intramedullary nail	Metal rod placed inside a bone to fix a fracture	Musculoskeletal Surgery
IM nail	intramedullary nailing (procedure)	Rod fixation inside a long bone	Surgery Musculoskeletal
in-toeing	in-toeing (gait variant)	Toes pointing inward when walking	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
intercostals	intercostal muscles (group)	Muscles between the ribs used in breathing	Respiratory Musculoskeletal
interossei	interosseous muscles (hand)	Muscles between hand bones spreading fingers	Musculoskeletal
ITB	iliotibial band (anatomy)	Thick band along the outer thigh	Musculoskeletal
ITBS	iliotibial band syndrome	Outer knee pain from irritation of the iliotibial band	Musculoskeletal
jersey finger	jersey finger (tendon avulsion)	Ring-finger tendon torn gripping a jersey	Musculoskeletal Surgery
JIA	juvenile idiopathic arthritis	Arthritis beginning in childhood without a known cause	Musculoskeletal Pediatrics
Jones fx	Jones fracture (fifth metatarsal)	Stress-prone foot bone fracture	Musculoskeletal
KAFO	knee-ankle-foot orthosis	Long leg brace	Musculoskeletal Neurology
knock knees	genu valgum (physiologic)	Knock knees, usually normal in preschoolers	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
Kocher	Kocher criteria (septic hip)	Criteria distinguishing infected hip from irritation	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
Kohler	Kohler disease (navicular)	Childhood foot bone blood-supply problem	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
KOOS	Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score	Knee function questionnaire	Musculoskeletal
kyphoplasty	balloon kyphoplasty (vertebral)	Balloon and cement repair of a spinal fracture	Surgery Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
kyphosis	Scheuermann kyphosis (adolescent)	Rigid rounded back of teens	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
LABC	lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve	Forearm skin sensation nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
labral repair hip	hip labral repair	Repairing the hip socket rim	Surgery Musculoskeletal
laminectomy	laminectomy (procedure)	Removing the back of a vertebra to free nerves	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
lat	latissimus dorsi (muscle, shorthand)	Broad back muscle shorthand	Musculoskeletal
Latarjet	Latarjet procedure (shoulder)	Bone block stabilizing a dislocating shoulder	Surgery Musculoskeletal
lateral condyle	lateral condyle fracture (elbow)	Outer elbow growth fracture of childhood	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Surgery
LBP	low back pain	Pain felt in the lower back region	Musculoskeletal
LCL	lateral collateral ligament	Ligament supporting the outer knee	Musculoskeletal
LEF	leflunomide	Immune-suppressing medicine for inflammatory arthritis	Prescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
LEFS	Lower Extremity Functional Scale	Leg function questionnaire	Musculoskeletal
leg length child	leg length discrepancy (measurement)	Unequal leg lengths — measurement	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
LFCN	lateral femoral cutaneous nerve	Outer thigh skin nerve; compression causes meralgia	Neurology Musculoskeletal
LGMD	limb-girdle muscular dystrophy	Shoulder and hip muscle disease group	Neurology Musculoskeletal
limited abduction hip	limited hip abduction (DDH sign)	Restricted leg spreading in hip dysplasia	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
limp child	limp (presentation)	Altered walking presentation	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
Lisfranc	Lisfranc injury (midfoot)	Midfoot fracture-dislocation — injury	Musculoskeletal Surgery Emergency & Critical Care
LLIF	lateral lumbar interbody fusion	Side-approach back fusion	Surgery Musculoskeletal
long thoracic n	long thoracic nerve	Nerve to the chest wall muscle; injury causes winged scapula	Neurology Musculoskeletal
LSO	lumbosacral orthosis	Lower back brace	Musculoskeletal Surgery
lumbar ADR	lumbar artificial disc replacement	Motion-preserving low back disc implant	Surgery Musculoskeletal
lumbar plexus	lumbar plexus (anatomy)	Nerve network supplying the front leg	Neurology Musculoskeletal
lumbricals	lumbrical muscles (hand)	Small hand muscles between the fingers	Musculoskeletal
MACI	matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation	Lab-grown cartilage cell implant	Surgery Musculoskeletal
MAGEC	MAGEC rods (magnetic growing)	Magnetically lengthened spine rods	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Surgery
Maisonneuve	Maisonneuve fracture (ankle)	High fibula fracture with ankle injury	Musculoskeletal Surgery
mallet finger	mallet finger (injury)	Dropped fingertip from tendon injury — injury	Musculoskeletal Surgery
malocclusion	malocclusion (bite)	Misaligned bite	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
MAP	methotrexate doxorubicin cisplatin	Osteosarcoma chemotherapy combination	Hematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
march fracture	march fracture (stress)	Metatarsal stress fracture of new walkers	Musculoskeletal
Marfan	Marfan syndrome (connective)	Tall stature connective tissue syndrome	Pediatrics Cardiology Musculoskeletal
MAS spasticity	Modified Ashworth Scale	Muscle spasticity grading scale	Neurology Musculoskeletal
MCL	medial collateral ligament	Ligament supporting the inner knee	Musculoskeletal
MCP	metacarpophalangeal joint	Knuckle joint between hand and finger bones	Musculoskeletal
ME/CFS	myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome	Long-term illness with profound fatigue worsened by exertion	Musculoskeletal General Medical
median n	median nerve (anatomy)	Main nerve of the front forearm and hand	Neurology Musculoskeletal
meniscectomy	partial meniscectomy (arthroscopic)	Trimming torn knee cartilage	Surgery Musculoskeletal
meniscus repair	meniscus repair (arthroscopic)	Stitching torn knee cartilage	Surgery Musculoskeletal
metatarsus adductus	metatarsus adductus (foot)	Curved inward forefoot of babies	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
Miami J	Miami J collar (brand)	Rigid neck collar brand	Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
microfracture	microfracture (cartilage procedure)	Drilling small holes stimulating cartilage repair	Surgery Musculoskeletal
Milwaukee brace	Milwaukee brace (scoliosis)	Neck-extending scoliosis brace	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
Minerva	Minerva brace (cervical)	Rigid neck and trunk brace	Musculoskeletal Surgery
MIS TLIF	minimally invasive TLIF	Tube-based small-incision back fusion	Surgery Musculoskeletal
MMT	manual muscle testing	Grading of muscle strength by hand	Musculoskeletal Vitals & Assessment
Monteggia	Monteggia fracture-dislocation	Forearm fracture with elbow dislocation	Musculoskeletal Surgery
MPFL recon	medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction	Rebuilding the kneecap-stabilizing ligament	Surgery Musculoskeletal
MRC grade	Medical Research Council grade	Zero-to-five muscle strength grading	Musculoskeletal Neurology
MSK	musculoskeletal	Relating to the muscles, bones and joints together	Musculoskeletal
MSU	monosodium urate	Crystal type that deposits in joints in gout	Musculoskeletal Laboratory
MTP	metatarsophalangeal joint	Joint between the foot and toe bones	Musculoskeletal
MTX	methotrexate	Medicine suppressing the immune system and treating cancer	Prescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal Hematology & Oncology
MUA	manipulation under anesthesia	Moving a stiff joint while the patient is asleep	Musculoskeletal Surgery
NDI	Neck Disability Index	Neck pain disability questionnaire	Musculoskeletal
neuroma pain	neuroma (painful nerve end)	Painful tangled nerve ending after injury	Neurology Surgery Musculoskeletal
night pain bone	night pain (bone warning)	Bone pain waking at night, a tumor warning	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Hematology & Oncology
nightstick	nightstick fracture (ulna)	Direct-blow forearm bone fracture	Musculoskeletal
NTx	N-terminal telopeptide	Bone resorption marker measured in urine or blood	Laboratory Musculoskeletal
nursemaid	nursemaid elbow (radial head subluxation)	Pulled elbow of toddlers	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
NWB	non-weight-bearing	Putting no weight through a limb	Musculoskeletal Nursing
O-arm	O-arm imaging system	Intraoperative 3D imaging for spine surgery	Radiology & Imaging Surgery Musculoskeletal
OA	osteoarthritis	Joint disease where cartilage wears down over time	Musculoskeletal
OATS	osteochondral autograft transfer (OATS)	Moving a cartilage plug to a defect	Surgery Musculoskeletal
obturator n	obturator nerve (anatomy)	Inner thigh nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
ODI	Oswestry Disability Index	Back pain disability questionnaire	Musculoskeletal
odontoid child	synchondrosis (odontoid growth plate)	Growth plate of the neck peg bone in children	Pediatrics Radiology & Imaging Musculoskeletal
OI	osteogenesis imperfecta	Inherited condition causing bones that break easily	Musculoskeletal Pediatrics
OLIF	oblique lumbar interbody fusion	Angled front-side back fusion	Surgery Musculoskeletal
OM	osteomyelitis	Infection inside a bone	Musculoskeletal Infectious Disease
ON	osteonecrosis	Bone tissue death from loss of blood supply	Musculoskeletal
ORIF	open reduction and internal fixation	Operation aligning a broken bone and fixing it with hardware	Musculoskeletal Surgery
ORIF ankle	open reduction internal fixation (ankle)	Plate and screw repair of an ankle fracture	Surgery Musculoskeletal
ORIF wrist	open reduction internal fixation (wrist)	Plate repair of a wrist fracture	Surgery Musculoskeletal
Osgood	Osgood-Schlatter disease (knee)	Teen kneecap tendon bump pain	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
osteocalcin	osteocalcin (bone formation marker)	Protein reflecting bone formation	Laboratory Endocrinology Musculoskeletal
osteosarcoma	osteosarcoma (adolescent)	Teen bone cancer	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Hematology & Oncology
P1NP	procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide	Bone formation marker	Laboratory Endocrinology Musculoskeletal
Paget	Paget's disease of bone	Disorder of bone remodelling causing weak enlarged bones	Endocrinology Musculoskeletal
palmar arch	palmar arch (hand arteries)	Interconnected hand arteries	Musculoskeletal
Panner	Panner disease (elbow capitellum)	Childhood elbow bone blood-supply problem	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
PASI	Psoriasis Area and Severity Index	Psoriasis severity score	General Medical Musculoskeletal
Pavlik	Pavlik harness (treatment)	Hip dysplasia harness — treatment	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
PCL	posterior cruciate ligament	Knee ligament preventing backward shin movement	Musculoskeletal
PCL recon	posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction	Rebuilding the knee's back ligament	Surgery Musculoskeletal
pec major	pectoralis major (muscle)	Large chest muscle	Musculoskeletal General Medical
pec minor	pectoralis minor (muscle)	Small chest muscle under the major	Musculoskeletal
percutaneous pedicle	percutaneous pedicle screw fixation	Screws placed through the skin for spine stabilization	Surgery Musculoskeletal
peroneal art	peroneal (fibular) artery	Side lower-leg artery	Musculoskeletal
peroneus longus	peroneus longus (fibularis)	Outer lower-leg muscle	Musculoskeletal
Perthes	Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (hip)	Childhood hip ball blood-supply problem	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
PF	plantar fasciitis	Heel pain from irritation of the sole tissue band	Musculoskeletal
PFJ replacement	patellofemoral joint replacement	Kneecap joint replacement	Surgery Musculoskeletal
PFPS	patellofemoral pain syndrome	Pain around or behind the kneecap	Musculoskeletal
phantom pain	phantom limb pain (syndrome)	Pain felt in an amputated limb	Neurology Surgery Musculoskeletal
phenol block	phenol neurolysis (block)	Alcohol-like injection quieting a nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
Philadelphia	Philadelphia collar (type)	Foam rigid neck collar type	Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
physeal	physeal fracture (growth plate term)	Growth plate fracture term	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
PIN	posterior interosseous nerve	Deep branch of the radial nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
pink pulseless	pink pulseless hand (elbow emergency)	Warm hand without pulse after elbow fracture	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
PIP	proximal interphalangeal joint	Middle joint of a finger or toe	Musculoskeletal
PJI	prosthetic joint infection	Infection around an artificial joint	Musculoskeletal Infectious Disease
PLIF	posterior lumbar interbody fusion	Back fusion from behind	Surgery Musculoskeletal
PM	polymyositis	Autoimmune disease causing muscle inflammation and weakness	Musculoskeletal
PMR	polymyalgia rheumatica	Inflammatory condition causing shoulder and hip pain and stiffness	Musculoskeletal
PMS	pulse, motor, sensation	Checks of pulse, movement and feeling in a limb	Emergency & Critical Care Musculoskeletal
popliteal art	popliteal artery	Artery behind the knee	General Medical Musculoskeletal
posterior slab	posterior slab splint (leg)	Back-of-leg plaster splint	Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
PROM	passive range of motion	Joint movement performed by another person or device	Musculoskeletal
PsA	psoriatic arthritis	Joint inflammation occurring with psoriasis	Musculoskeletal
pseudo-Jones	pseudo-Jones fracture (avulsion)	Tuberosity avulsion of the fifth metatarsal	Musculoskeletal
psoas	psoas major (muscle)	Deep hip flexor muscle	Musculoskeletal Gastroenterology
PT	physical therapist	Clinician restoring movement and function	Musculoskeletal General Medical
PT	physical therapy	Treatment using exercise and movement to restore function	Musculoskeletal General Medical
PT pulse	posterior tibial (pulse)	Ankle-behind-bone pulse point	Nursing Musculoskeletal
PTA leg	posterior tibial artery (leg)	Back lower-leg artery	General Medical Musculoskeletal
PTTD	posterior tibial tendon dysfunction	Tendon problem causing pain and flattening of the foot arch	Musculoskeletal
pulled elbow	pulled elbow (term)	Alternate name for nursemaid elbow	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
PWB	partial weight bearing	Putting only part of body weight through a limb	Musculoskeletal
PWB	partial weight-bearing	Putting part of body weight through a limb	Musculoskeletal Nursing
QL	quadratus lumborum (muscle)	Deep lower back muscle	Musculoskeletal
quad sets	quadriceps sets (exercise)	Thigh tightening exercises after knee surgery	Musculoskeletal Nursing
QuickDASH	shortened DASH questionnaire	Short arm function questionnaire	Musculoskeletal
RA	rheumatoid arthritis	Autoimmune disease causing joint inflammation and damage	Musculoskeletal
rachitic rosary	rachitic rosary (rib beading)	Beaded rib ends of rickets	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
radial head sublux	radial head subluxation (diagnosis)	Pulled elbow — diagnosis	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
radial n	radial nerve (anatomy)	Nerve extending the wrist and fingers	Neurology Musculoskeletal
ray amputation	ray amputation (foot)	Removing a toe with its metatarsal	Surgery Musculoskeletal
ReA	reactive arthritis	Joint inflammation triggered by an infection elsewhere	Musculoskeletal Infectious Disease
RED-S	relative energy deficiency in sport	Updated broader athlete energy syndrome	Psychiatry Endocrinology Musculoskeletal
reduction pulled	reduction maneuver (pulled elbow)	Supination-flexion or pronation fix for pulled elbow	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
return to play	return-to-play (protocol)	Graduated sports return after concussion	Pediatrics Neurology Musculoskeletal
RF	rectus femoris (muscle)	Front thigh muscle crossing hip and knee	Musculoskeletal
RF	rheumatoid factor	Antibody often found in rheumatoid arthritis	Laboratory Musculoskeletal
rhizotomy	rhizotomy (nerve root lesioning)	Procedure destroying pain-carrying nerve fibers	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
rickets	nutritional rickets (diagnosis)	Soft growing bones from vitamin D lack — diagnosis	Pediatrics Endocrinology Musculoskeletal
rigid flatfoot	rigid flatfoot (warning type)	Stiff flat foot needing evaluation	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
Risser	Risser staging (skeletal maturity)	Pelvis growth plate maturity stage	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
ROM	range of motion	Amount a joint can move in each direction	Musculoskeletal
Romberg	Romberg test (balance)	Standing balance test with eyes closed	Neurology Musculoskeletal
rotator repair	rotator cuff repair (arthroscopic)	Reattaching torn shoulder tendons	Surgery Musculoskeletal
RSD	reflex sympathetic dystrophy (older CRPS term)	Older name for complex regional pain	Neurology Musculoskeletal
rTSA	reverse total shoulder arthroplasty	Reversed-geometry shoulder replacement	Surgery Musculoskeletal
SA	septic arthritis	Infection inside a joint	Musculoskeletal Infectious Disease Emergency & Critical Care
Salter	Salter-Harris classification (growth plate)	Growth plate fracture types — classification	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
saphenous n	saphenous nerve	Inner leg skin nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
scaphoid	scaphoid fracture (wrist)	Wrist bone fracture risking bone death	Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
SCAT	Sport Concussion Assessment Tool	Sideline concussion evaluation tool	Pediatrics Neurology Musculoskeletal
SCFE	slipped capital femoral epiphysis	Hip growth plate slip in adolescents	Musculoskeletal Pediatrics Emergency & Critical Care
SCI	sciatica	Pain travelling along the sciatic nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
sciatic n	sciatic nerve (anatomy)	Largest nerve, down the back of the leg	Neurology Musculoskeletal
SCM muscle	sternocleidomastoid (muscle)	Neck turning muscle — muscle	General Medical Musculoskeletal
scoliometer	scoliometer (trunk rotation measure)	Inclinometer measuring trunk rotation	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
scoliosis	adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (diagnosis)	Teen spinal curvature — diagnosis	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
Scotty dog	Scotty dog sign (pars defect imaging)	Dog-shaped vertebra appearance with a collar crack	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
SCS	spinal cord stimulator (implant)	Device masking pain with electrical pulses	Surgery Neurology Musculoskeletal
SDAI	Simplified Disease Activity Index	Rheumatoid arthritis activity score	Musculoskeletal
second impact	second impact syndrome (sports)	Catastrophic swelling after a repeat concussion	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Musculoskeletal
Segond	Segond fracture (knee avulsion)	Small knee avulsion linked to ACL tears	Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
septic hip	septic arthritis (hip)	Infected hip joint in a child	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care Infectious Disease
serial casting	serial casting (contracture)	Repeated casts stretching a tight joint	Musculoskeletal Pediatrics Neurology
Sever	Sever disease (heel apophysitis)	Growing heel pain in active children	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
SI fusion	sacroiliac joint fusion	Fusing the pelvis-to-spine joint for pain	Surgery Musculoskeletal
SIJ	sacroiliac joint	Joint between the spine base and the pelvis	Musculoskeletal
skeletal traction	skeletal traction (orthopedic)	Pin-and-weight bone pulling — orthopedic	Musculoskeletal Surgery Emergency & Critical Care
SLAP	superior labral anterior to posterior lesion	Tear of the upper shoulder socket cartilage, front to back	Musculoskeletal
SLAP	superior labrum anterior-posterior tear	Tear of the shoulder socket cartilage rim	Musculoskeletal
SLAP repair	SLAP repair (labrum)	Repairing the shoulder socket's top rim	Surgery Musculoskeletal
SLE	systemic lupus erythematosus	Autoimmune disease affecting joints, skin, kidneys and other organs	Musculoskeletal Renal & Nephrology
SLEDAI	Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index	Lupus activity score	Musculoskeletal Renal & Nephrology
SLJ	Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome	Teen kneecap lower pole pain	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
SLR	straight leg raise (test)	Nerve root tension sign in back pain	Musculoskeletal Neurology Vitals & Assessment
SLR exercise	straight leg raise (exercise)	Leg-lifting rehabilitation exercise	Musculoskeletal Nursing
SM	semimembranosus (muscle)	Deep inner hamstring muscle	Musculoskeletal
snuffbox	anatomic snuffbox (tenderness)	Thumb-side wrist hollow checked after falls	Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
soleus	soleus (deep calf muscle)	Deep calf muscle under the gastrocnemius	Musculoskeletal
SOMI	sterno-occipital-mandibular immobilizer	Chin-and-chest neck brace	Musculoskeletal Surgery
SpA	spondyloarthritis	Group of inflammatory arthritis diseases affecting spine and joints	Musculoskeletal
spasticity	spasticity (management)	Velocity-dependent stiffness — management	Neurology Musculoskeletal Pediatrics
SPICA	spica casting (femur treatment)	Body cast treating young thigh fractures	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
spica cast	hip spica cast (immobilization)	Body cast for hip and thigh problems	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Surgery Nursing
spiral fracture concern	spiral fracture (mechanism concern)	Twisting fracture raising mechanism questions	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
splint types	splints (sugar-tong/stirrup/volar types)	Common fracture splint shapes	Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
SPN	superficial peroneal nerve	Outer lower-leg skin and muscle nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
spondylolisthesis	spondylolisthesis (slip)	Vertebra slipped forward	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
spondylolysis	spondylolysis (pars defect)	Stress crack of the spine arch	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
SSc	systemic sclerosis	Autoimmune disease causing skin thickening and organ scarring	Musculoskeletal
SSZ	sulfasalazine	Medicine used for inflammatory bowel and joint disease	Prescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal Gastroenterology
ST	semitendinosus (muscle)	Inner hamstring muscle and graft source	Musculoskeletal
STIR	short tau inversion recovery	MRI sequence suppressing fat signal	Radiology & Imaging Musculoskeletal
stirrup splint	stirrup splint (ankle)	U-shaped ankle splint	Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
submuscular plate	submuscular plating (pediatric femur)	Under-muscle plate for children's thigh fractures	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Surgery
SUFE	slipped upper femoral epiphysis (UK term)	British term for the hip slip	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
sugar-tong	sugar-tong splint (forearm)	U-shaped forearm splint	Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
supracondylar	supracondylar humerus fracture (childhood)	Above-elbow fracture of childhood	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Surgery Emergency & Critical Care
suprascapular n	suprascapular nerve	Nerve to the top shoulder muscles	Neurology Musculoskeletal
sural n	sural nerve (anatomy)	Calf skin nerve often biopsied or harvested	Neurology Musculoskeletal
swan neck	swan neck deformity (finger)	S-curved finger deformity	Musculoskeletal
TA muscle	tibialis anterior (muscle)	Front shin muscle lifting the foot	Musculoskeletal
TAA	total ankle arthroplasty	Ankle joint replacement	Surgery Musculoskeletal
tarsal coalition	tarsal coalition (fusion)	Foot bones joined by a bar	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
tarsal release	tarsal tunnel release	Freeing the ankle's tibial nerve	Surgery Musculoskeletal
TDWB	touch-down weight bearing	Same as toe-touch loading restriction	Musculoskeletal Surgery Nursing
TEA	total elbow arthroplasty	Elbow joint replacement	Surgery Musculoskeletal
tenotomy	tenotomy (tendon release)	Cutting a tendon to release contracture	Surgery Musculoskeletal
tenotomy Achilles	percutaneous Achilles tenotomy (clubfoot)	Small heel tendon cut in clubfoot treatment	Surgery Musculoskeletal Pediatrics
TENS	transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation	Skin electrodes delivering mild pulses for pain relief	Musculoskeletal Neurology
TFL	tensor fasciae latae (muscle)	Small hip muscle tensing the thigh band	Musculoskeletal
THA	total hip arthroplasty	Operation replacing the whole hip joint	Surgery Musculoskeletal
THA ant	anterior approach total hip arthroplasty	Hip replacement from the front	Surgery Musculoskeletal
thenar	thenar muscles (thumb group)	Thumb base muscle group	Musculoskeletal
THR	total hip replacement	Operation replacing the whole hip joint	Surgery Musculoskeletal
tibial n	tibial nerve (anatomy)	Main back-of-leg nerve	Neurology Musculoskeletal
tibial spine	tibial spine avulsion (ACL)	Bone pulled off where the ACL attaches	Musculoskeletal Surgery
tibial torsion	internal tibial torsion (in-toeing cause)	Inward shin twist causing in-toeing	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
Tillaux	juvenile Tillaux fracture (ankle)	Partial growth plate ankle fracture of teens	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
Timed Up and Go	Timed Up and Go test	Timed mobility and fall risk test	Nursing Vitals & Assessment Musculoskeletal
TKA	total knee arthroplasty	Operation replacing the whole knee joint	Surgery Musculoskeletal
TKA cemented	cemented total knee arthroplasty	Knee replacement fixed with bone cement	Surgery Musculoskeletal
TKR	total knee replacement	Operation replacing the whole knee joint	Surgery Musculoskeletal
TLIF	transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion	Back fusion through a side-of-canal approach	Surgery Musculoskeletal Neurology
TLSO	thoracolumbosacral orthosis (brace)	Trunk brace — brace	Musculoskeletal Neurology Surgery
TMD	temporomandibular disorder	Jaw joint and muscle pain condition	Musculoskeletal General Medical
TMJ	temporomandibular joint	Jaw joint connecting the lower jaw to the skull	Musculoskeletal
toddler fracture	toddler's fracture (spiral tibia)	Twisting shin fracture of new walkers	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
toe walking	idiopathic toe walking (habit)	Persistent tiptoe walking in children	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Neurology
torticollis acquired	acquired torticollis (causes)	New neck tilt from pain or inflammation	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
TOS	thoracic outlet syndrome	Compression of nerves or vessels between neck and armpit	Musculoskeletal Neurology
traction	cervical traction (therapy)	Neck pulling therapy — therapy	Musculoskeletal Neurology
trampoline	trampoline injury guidance (discouraged use)	Safety guidance discouraging home trampolines	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
transient synovitis	transient synovitis (hip)	Temporary hip irritation in children	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Emergency & Critical Care
transitional fx	transitional fractures (adolescent ankle)	Growth-closing ankle fracture group	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
TRAP	tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase	Enzyme linked to bone breakdown cells	Laboratory Musculoskeletal
trap	trapezius (muscle, shorthand)	Neck and upper back muscle shorthand	Musculoskeletal
Trendelenburg child	Trendelenburg gait (hip weakness)	Hip-drop walking from weak abductors	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Neurology
trigger release	trigger finger release	Cutting the pulley trapping a finger tendon	Surgery Musculoskeletal
triplane	triplane fracture (ankle adolescent)	Three-plane growth plate ankle fracture	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging Surgery
triple arthrodesis	triple arthrodesis (foot)	Fusing three hindfoot joints	Surgery Musculoskeletal
TSA	total shoulder arthroplasty	Surgery replacing the shoulder joint with a prosthesis	Musculoskeletal Surgery
TTWB	toe-touch weight-bearing	Touching toes down for balance without real weight	Musculoskeletal Nursing
TUG	Timed Up and Go (abbreviation)	Timed stand-walk-turn mobility test	Vitals & Assessment Musculoskeletal Nursing
UCL	ulnar collateral ligament	Ligament stabilising the inner elbow or thumb	Musculoskeletal
UKA	unicompartmental knee arthroplasty	Partial knee replacement	Surgery Musculoskeletal
ulnar art	ulnar artery	Forearm artery at the pinky-side wrist	General Medical Musculoskeletal
ulnar n	ulnar nerve (anatomy)	Nerve behind the elbow to the pinky side	Neurology Musculoskeletal
VBT	vertebral body tethering (growth modulation)	Flexible cord scoliosis surgery	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Surgery
VEPTR	vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib	Rib-expanding device for chest and spine deformity	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Surgery Respiratory
vertical talus	congenital vertical talus (rocker foot)	Rocker-bottom foot deformity	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Surgery
Vit D	vitamin D	Vitamin measured in blood, important for bones	Laboratory Endocrinology Musculoskeletal
vitamin D child	vitamin D deficiency (rickets)	Soft bone deficiency of childhood	Pediatrics Endocrinology Musculoskeletal Laboratory
VL	vastus lateralis (muscle)	Outer front thigh muscle	Musculoskeletal
VM	vastus medialis (muscle)	Inner front thigh muscle	Musculoskeletal
VMO	vastus medialis obliquus	Inner kneecap-stabilizing thigh fibers	Musculoskeletal
Volkmann	Volkmann ischemic contracture (sequela)	Forearm scarring after missed compartment syndrome	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
von Rosen	von Rosen splint (hip dysplasia)	Rigid hip abduction splint	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal
VRT	vestibular rehabilitation therapy	Exercise therapy retraining balance	Neurology Nursing Musculoskeletal
WB	weight bearing	Putting weight through a limb or joint	Musculoskeletal
WBAT	weight bearing as tolerated	Putting as much weight through a limb as is comfortable	Musculoskeletal
WBAT	weight-bearing as tolerated	Putting as much weight on a limb as comfort allows	Musculoskeletal Nursing
Weber	Danis-Weber classification	Ankle fracture classification	Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
WOMAC	Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index	Hip and knee arthritis questionnaire	Musculoskeletal
XLIF	extreme lateral interbody fusion	Back fusion from the side	Surgery Musculoskeletal

Educational reference only. This guide is for learning and quick reference. Abbreviations vary between hospitals, countries and specialties, and some are discouraged because they can be misread. Always write and interpret orders using your own institution’s approved abbreviation list, and check anything unclear with the prescriber or your local policy.

Musculoskeletal Abbreviations — MedicalVideos.com

90-90 traction — ninety-ninety traction (femur)

AAROM — active-assisted range of motion

ACDF — anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

Achilles repair — Achilles tendon repair

ACL — anterior cruciate ligament

ACL recon — anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

ACR20 — American College of Rheumatology 20 percent response

ACS — acute compartment syndrome

Adams test — Adams forward bend test (scoliosis)

AFO — ankle-foot orthosis (device)

AIN — anterior interosseous nerve

ALIF — anterior lumbar interbody fusion

ANA — antinuclear antibody

ankle fusion — ankle arthrodesis (fusion)

ankle pumps — ankle pumps (exercise)

antalgic gait — antalgic gait (pain)

Anti-CCP — anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide

Anti-Jo-1 — anti-Jo-1 antibody

Anti-La — anti-La/SSB antibody

Anti-Ro — anti-Ro/SSA antibody

Anti-Scl-70 — anti-topoisomerase I antibody

AO/OTA — AO Foundation Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification

APL — abductor pollicis longus (muscle)

ARAT — Action Research Arm Test

AROM — active range of motion

AROM against gravity — active range of motion against gravity

arthrodesis — arthrodesis (joint fusion procedure)

AS — ankylosing spondylitis

ASES — American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score

ASO — antistreptolysin O

Aspen — Aspen collar (brand-generic)

asymmetric folds — asymmetric thigh folds (soft sign)

ATA — anterior tibial artery

ATFL — anterior talofibular ligament

atlantoaxial — atlantoaxial instability (Down)

AVN — avascular necrosis

axillary art — axillary artery

axillary n — axillary nerve (anatomy)

axSpA — axial spondyloarthritis

back pain child — back pain (childhood red flag)

Bankart — Bankart repair (shoulder)

BASDAI — Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index

bDMARD — biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug

BESS — Balance Error Scoring System

BF — biceps femoris (muscle)

biceps tenodesis — biceps tenodesis (shoulder)

BILAG — British Isles Lupus Assessment Group index

birth fracture — birth fracture (clavicle)

BMD — Becker muscular dystrophy

BMD — bone mineral density

Bone scan — bone scintigraphy

bone scan — skeletal scintigraphy

BoNT — botulinum neurotoxin (spasticity)

Boston brace — Boston brace (scoliosis)

boutonniere — boutonniere deformity (finger)

bow legs — genu varum (physiologic)

boxer fracture — boxer's fracture (hand)

brachial art — brachial artery

brachial plexus anatomy — brachial plexus (anatomy)

bracing scoliosis — bracing (scoliosis treatment)

Bryant traction — Bryant traction (toddler femur)

Buck traction — Buck traction (skin)

bucket handle — bucket-handle fracture (metaphyseal)

buckle fracture — torus fracture (buckle)

buddy tape — buddy taping (fingers/toes)

bulky Jones — bulky Jones dressing (padded)

bunionectomy — bunionectomy (hallux valgus correction)

C-spine — cervical spine

C-spine collar — cervical collar (device)

calcaneovalgus — calcaneovalgus foot (positional)

carpal tunnel release — carpal tunnel release (procedure)

causalgia — causalgia (CRPS type II)

CDAI — Clinical Disease Activity Index

CDP — computerized dynamic posturography

cephalomedullary — cephalomedullary nail (hip fracture)

cervical ADR — cervical artificial disc replacement

Charleston brace — Charleston bending brace (nighttime)

cheilectomy — cheilectomy (joint spur removal)

chemodenervation — chemodenervation (procedure)

Chopart — Chopart injury (midfoot joint)

clavicle child — clavicle fracture (childhood)

clubfoot surgery — clubfoot surgery (posteromedial release)

CMD — congenital muscular dystrophy

coaptation — coaptation splint (humerus)

Cobb — Cobb angle (measurement)

compartment child — compartment syndrome (childhood)

concussion — sports concussion (management)

corner fracture — corner fracture (metaphyseal)

CPM — continuous passive motion

CPN — common peroneal nerve (common fibular)

CPPD — calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease

craniotabes — craniotabes (soft skull sign)

CRIF — closed reduction and internal fixation

CRPP — closed reduction percutaneous pinning

CRPS — complex regional pain syndrome

csDMARD — conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug

CSM — circulation, sensation, movement

CTO — cervicothoracic orthosis

CTR open — open carpal tunnel release

CTS — carpal tunnel syndrome

CTX — C-terminal telopeptide

cubital release — cubital tunnel release

DAS28 — Disease Activity Score 28

DASH — Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand

DDD — degenerative disc disease

DDH — developmental dysplasia of the hip

DDH treatment — DDH treatment (harness)

delt — deltoid (muscle, shorthand)

DEXA — dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

DHS — dynamic hip screw

DIP — distal interphalangeal joint

discectomy — discectomy (procedure)

discitis — discitis (childhood)

DJD — degenerative joint disease

DM — dermatomyositis

DM1 — myotonic dystrophy type 1

DMARD — disease-modifying antirheumatic drug

DMD — Duchenne muscular dystrophy

DP pulse — dorsalis pedis (pulse/artery)

DPN nerve — deep peroneal nerve (deep fibular)

dsDNA — double-stranded DNA antibody

Dupuytren release — Dupuytren contracture release

DXA — dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

ECRB — extensor carpi radialis brevis (muscle)

ECRL — extensor carpi radialis longus (muscle)

ECTR — endoscopic carpal tunnel release

ECU — extensor carpi ulnaris (muscle)

EDC — extensor digitorum communis (muscle)

EDL — extensor digitorum longus (muscle)

EDS — Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

EHL — extensor hallucis longus (muscle)

EMG — electromyography

EPB — extensor pollicis brevis (muscle)

EPL — extensor pollicis longus (muscle)

ES — erector spinae (muscle group)

ESSDAI — EULAR Sjogren Syndrome Disease Activity Index

Essex-Lopresti — Essex-Lopresti injury (forearm)

Ewing — Ewing sarcoma (diagnosis)

FABER — flexion abduction external rotation (Patrick test)

FADIR — flexion adduction internal rotation test

FAI — femoroacetabular impingement

FAI surgery — femoroacetabular impingement surgery

fasciectomy — fasciectomy (Dupuytren)

FCR — flexor carpi radialis (muscle)

FCU — flexor carpi ulnaris (muscle)

FDL — flexor digitorum longus (muscle)

FDP — flexor digitorum profundus (muscle)

FDS — flexor digitorum superficialis (muscle)

female athlete triad — female athlete triad (syndrome)

femoral anteversion — femoral anteversion (in-toeing cause)

femoral n — femoral nerve (anatomy)

femur fracture child — femoral shaft fracture (childhood)

FHL — flexor hallucis longus (muscle)

FIM — Functional Independence Measure

flat feet child — flexible flatfoot (childhood)

flatfoot recon — flatfoot reconstruction

flexible nails — flexible intramedullary nails (pediatric femur)

FM — fibromyalgia

FOOSH — fall on outstretched hand (mechanism)

FPL — flexor pollicis longus (muscle)

Freiberg — Freiberg infraction (metatarsal head)

FSHD — facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

FWB — full weight-bearing

Fx — fracture

Galeazzi fx — Galeazzi fracture-dislocation

gallows traction — gallows traction (Bryant)

gamekeeper — gamekeeper's thumb (skier's thumb)

Gardner-Wells — Gardner-Wells tongs (skull traction)

Gartland — Gartland classification (supracondylar)

Gastroc — gastrocnemius (calf muscle)

GCA — giant cell arteritis

GCA eye — giant cell arteritis (ocular involvement)

glute max — gluteus maximus (muscle)

glute med — gluteus medius (muscle)

GMFCS — Gross Motor Function Classification System

greenstick — greenstick fracture (childhood)

Grisel — Grisel syndrome (atlantoaxial subluxation)

growing pains — growing pains (benign limb pain)

growing rods — growing rods (early scoliosis)

halo traction — halo traction (skull)

halo vest — halo vest (device)

hammer toe — hammer toe correction

HCQ — hydroxychloroquine

heel WB — heel weight bearing

Hemiarth — hemiarthroplasty

hemiarthroplasty hip — hip hemiarthroplasty (procedure)

hip click — hip click (examination finding)

hip clunk — hip clunk (dislocation finding)

hip scope — hip arthroscopy (procedure)

hip surveillance — hip surveillance (CP program)

HKAFO — hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis

HNP — herniated nucleus pulposus

HOOS — Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score

humerus birth — birth-related humerus fracture ()

hypothenar — hypothenar muscles (pinky group)

IBM — inclusion body myositis

IKDC — International Knee Documentation Committee score

IM nail — intramedullary nail

IM nail — intramedullary nailing (procedure)

in-toeing — in-toeing (gait variant)

intercostals — intercostal muscles (group)

interossei — interosseous muscles (hand)

ITB — iliotibial band (anatomy)

ITBS — iliotibial band syndrome

jersey finger — jersey finger (tendon avulsion)

JIA — juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Jones fx — Jones fracture (fifth metatarsal)

KAFO — knee-ankle-foot orthosis

knock knees — genu valgum (physiologic)

Kocher — Kocher criteria (septic hip)

Kohler — Kohler disease (navicular)

KOOS — Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score

kyphoplasty — balloon kyphoplasty (vertebral)

kyphosis — Scheuermann kyphosis (adolescent)

LABC — lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve

labral repair hip — hip labral repair

laminectomy — laminectomy (procedure)

lat — latissimus dorsi (muscle, shorthand)

Latarjet — Latarjet procedure (shoulder)

lateral condyle — lateral condyle fracture (elbow)

LBP — low back pain

LCL — lateral collateral ligament

LEF — leflunomide

LEFS — Lower Extremity Functional Scale

leg length child — leg length discrepancy (measurement)

LFCN — lateral femoral cutaneous nerve

LGMD — limb-girdle muscular dystrophy

limited abduction hip — limited hip abduction (DDH sign)

limp child — limp (presentation)

Lisfranc — Lisfranc injury (midfoot)

LLIF — lateral lumbar interbody fusion

long thoracic n — long thoracic nerve

LSO — lumbosacral orthosis

lumbar ADR — lumbar artificial disc replacement

lumbar plexus — lumbar plexus (anatomy)

lumbricals — lumbrical muscles (hand)

MACI — matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation

MAGEC — MAGEC rods (magnetic growing)

Maisonneuve — Maisonneuve fracture (ankle)

mallet finger — mallet finger (injury)

malocclusion — malocclusion (bite)

MAP — methotrexate doxorubicin cisplatin

march fracture — march fracture (stress)

Marfan — Marfan syndrome (connective)

MAS spasticity — Modified Ashworth Scale

MCL — medial collateral ligament

MCP — metacarpophalangeal joint

ME/CFS — myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

median n — median nerve (anatomy)

meniscectomy — partial meniscectomy (arthroscopic)

meniscus repair — meniscus repair (arthroscopic)

metatarsus adductus — metatarsus adductus (foot)

Miami J — Miami J collar (brand)

microfracture — microfracture (cartilage procedure)

Milwaukee brace — Milwaukee brace (scoliosis)

Minerva — Minerva brace (cervical)

MIS TLIF — minimally invasive TLIF

MMT — manual muscle testing

Monteggia — Monteggia fracture-dislocation

MPFL recon — medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction

MRC grade — Medical Research Council grade

MSK — musculoskeletal

MSU — monosodium urate

MTP — metatarsophalangeal joint

MTX — methotrexate

MUA — manipulation under anesthesia

NDI — Neck Disability Index

neuroma pain — neuroma (painful nerve end)

night pain bone — night pain (bone warning)

nightstick — nightstick fracture (ulna)

NTx — N-terminal telopeptide

nursemaid — nursemaid elbow (radial head subluxation)

NWB — non-weight-bearing

O-arm — O-arm imaging system

OA — osteoarthritis

OATS — osteochondral autograft transfer (OATS)

obturator n — obturator nerve (anatomy)

ODI — Oswestry Disability Index

odontoid child — synchondrosis (odontoid growth plate)

OI — osteogenesis imperfecta

OLIF — oblique lumbar interbody fusion

OM — osteomyelitis

ON — osteonecrosis

ORIF — open reduction and internal fixation

ORIF ankle — open reduction internal fixation (ankle)

ORIF wrist — open reduction internal fixation (wrist)

Osgood — Osgood-Schlatter disease (knee)

osteocalcin — osteocalcin (bone formation marker)

osteosarcoma — osteosarcoma (adolescent)

P1NP — procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide

Paget — Paget's disease of bone

palmar arch — palmar arch (hand arteries)

Panner — Panner disease (elbow capitellum)

PASI — Psoriasis Area and Severity Index

Pavlik — Pavlik harness (treatment)

PCL — posterior cruciate ligament

PCL recon — posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

pec major — pectoralis major (muscle)

pec minor — pectoralis minor (muscle)

percutaneous pedicle — percutaneous pedicle screw fixation

peroneal art — peroneal (fibular) artery

peroneus longus — peroneus longus (fibularis)

Perthes — Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (hip)

PF — plantar fasciitis

PFJ replacement — patellofemoral joint replacement

PFPS — patellofemoral pain syndrome

phantom pain — phantom limb pain (syndrome)

phenol block — phenol neurolysis (block)

Philadelphia — Philadelphia collar (type)

physeal — physeal fracture (growth plate term)

PIN — posterior interosseous nerve

pink pulseless — pink pulseless hand (elbow emergency)

PIP — proximal interphalangeal joint

PJI — prosthetic joint infection

PLIF — posterior lumbar interbody fusion

PM — polymyositis

PMR — polymyalgia rheumatica

PMS — pulse, motor, sensation

popliteal art — popliteal artery

posterior slab — posterior slab splint (leg)

PROM — passive range of motion

PsA — psoriatic arthritis

pseudo-Jones — pseudo-Jones fracture (avulsion)

psoas — psoas major (muscle)

PT — physical therapist

PT — physical therapy

PT pulse — posterior tibial (pulse)

PTA leg — posterior tibial artery (leg)

PTTD — posterior tibial tendon dysfunction

pulled elbow — pulled elbow (term)

PWB — partial weight bearing

PWB — partial weight-bearing

QL — quadratus lumborum (muscle)

quad sets — quadriceps sets (exercise)

QuickDASH — shortened DASH questionnaire

RA — rheumatoid arthritis

rachitic rosary — rachitic rosary (rib beading)

radial head sublux — radial head subluxation (diagnosis)

radial n — radial nerve (anatomy)

ray amputation — ray amputation (foot)

ReA — reactive arthritis

RED-S — relative energy deficiency in sport

reduction pulled — reduction maneuver (pulled elbow)

return to play — return-to-play (protocol)

RF — rectus femoris (muscle)

RF — rheumatoid factor

rhizotomy — rhizotomy (nerve root lesioning)

rickets — nutritional rickets (diagnosis)

rigid flatfoot — rigid flatfoot (warning type)

Risser — Risser staging (skeletal maturity)

ROM — range of motion

Romberg — Romberg test (balance)

rotator repair — rotator cuff repair (arthroscopic)

RSD — reflex sympathetic dystrophy (older CRPS term)

rTSA — reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

SA — septic arthritis

Salter — Salter-Harris classification (growth plate)

saphenous n — saphenous nerve

scaphoid — scaphoid fracture (wrist)

SCAT — Sport Concussion Assessment Tool

SCFE — slipped capital femoral epiphysis

SCI — sciatica

sciatic n — sciatic nerve (anatomy)

SCM muscle — sternocleidomastoid (muscle)

scoliometer — scoliometer (trunk rotation measure)

scoliosis — adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (diagnosis)

Scotty dog — Scotty dog sign (pars defect imaging)

SCS — spinal cord stimulator (implant)

SDAI — Simplified Disease Activity Index

second impact — second impact syndrome (sports)

Segond — Segond fracture (knee avulsion)

septic hip — septic arthritis (hip)

serial casting — serial casting (contracture)

Sever — Sever disease (heel apophysitis)

SI fusion — sacroiliac joint fusion

SIJ — sacroiliac joint

skeletal traction — skeletal traction (orthopedic)

SLAP — superior labral anterior to posterior lesion

SLAP — superior labrum anterior-posterior tear

SLAP repair — SLAP repair (labrum)

SLE — systemic lupus erythematosus

SLEDAI — Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index

SLJ — Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome

SLR — straight leg raise (test)

SLR exercise — straight leg raise (exercise)

SM — semimembranosus (muscle)

snuffbox — anatomic snuffbox (tenderness)

soleus — soleus (deep calf muscle)

SOMI — sterno-occipital-mandibular immobilizer

SpA — spondyloarthritis

spasticity — spasticity (management)

SPICA — spica casting (femur treatment)

spica cast — hip spica cast (immobilization)

spiral fracture concern — spiral fracture (mechanism concern)

splint types — splints (sugar-tong/stirrup/volar types)

SPN — superficial peroneal nerve

spondylolisthesis — spondylolisthesis (slip)

spondylolysis — spondylolysis (pars defect)

SSc — systemic sclerosis

SSZ — sulfasalazine

ST — semitendinosus (muscle)

STIR — short tau inversion recovery

stirrup splint — stirrup splint (ankle)

submuscular plate — submuscular plating (pediatric femur)

SUFE — slipped upper femoral epiphysis (UK term)

sugar-tong — sugar-tong splint (forearm)

supracondylar — supracondylar humerus fracture (childhood)

suprascapular n — suprascapular nerve

sural n — sural nerve (anatomy)

swan neck — swan neck deformity (finger)

TA muscle — tibialis anterior (muscle)

TAA — total ankle arthroplasty

tarsal coalition — tarsal coalition (fusion)

tarsal release — tarsal tunnel release

TDWB — touch-down weight bearing

TEA — total elbow arthroplasty

tenotomy — tenotomy (tendon release)

tenotomy Achilles — percutaneous Achilles tenotomy (clubfoot)

TENS — transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

TFL — tensor fasciae latae (muscle)

THA — total hip arthroplasty

THA ant — anterior approach total hip arthroplasty

thenar — thenar muscles (thumb group)

THR — total hip replacement

tibial n — tibial nerve (anatomy)

tibial spine — tibial spine avulsion (ACL)

tibial torsion — internal tibial torsion (in-toeing cause)

Tillaux — juvenile Tillaux fracture (ankle)

Timed Up and Go — Timed Up and Go test

TKA — total knee arthroplasty

TKA cemented — cemented total knee arthroplasty

TKR — total knee replacement

TLIF — transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

TLSO — thoracolumbosacral orthosis (brace)

TMD — temporomandibular disorder

TMJ — temporomandibular joint

toddler fracture — toddler's fracture (spiral tibia)

toe walking — idiopathic toe walking (habit)

torticollis acquired — acquired torticollis (causes)

TOS — thoracic outlet syndrome

traction — cervical traction (therapy)

trampoline — trampoline injury guidance (discouraged use)

transient synovitis — transient synovitis (hip)

transitional fx — transitional fractures (adolescent ankle)

TRAP — tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase

trap — trapezius (muscle, shorthand)

Trendelenburg child — Trendelenburg gait (hip weakness)

trigger release — trigger finger release

triplane — triplane fracture (ankle adolescent)

triple arthrodesis — triple arthrodesis (foot)

TSA — total shoulder arthroplasty

TTWB — toe-touch weight-bearing

TUG — Timed Up and Go (abbreviation)

UCL — ulnar collateral ligament

UKA — unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

ulnar art — ulnar artery

ulnar n — ulnar nerve (anatomy)

VBT — vertebral body tethering (growth modulation)

VEPTR — vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib

vertical talus — congenital vertical talus (rocker foot)

Vit D — vitamin D

vitamin D child — vitamin D deficiency (rickets)

VL — vastus lateralis (muscle)

VM — vastus medialis (muscle)

VMO — vastus medialis obliquus

Volkmann — Volkmann ischemic contracture (sequela)

von Rosen — von Rosen splint (hip dysplasia)

VRT — vestibular rehabilitation therapy

WB — weight bearing

WBAT — weight bearing as tolerated

WBAT — weight-bearing as tolerated

Weber — Danis-Weber classification

WOMAC — Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index

XLIF — extreme lateral interbody fusion

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Musculoskeletal Abbreviations

Musculoskeletal Abbreviations — MedicalVideos.com

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