BDT = Bone Density Testing

• A diagnostic test used to measure bone mineral density (BMD) and determine the strength of bones. It is commonly used to diagnose conditions like osteoporosis and assess fracture risk. Techniques include dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

CTS = Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• A condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Symptoms include pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and fingers, often associated with repetitive motions like typing or assembly work.

EMG = Electromyography

• A diagnostic procedure that measures the electrical activity of muscles in response to nerve stimulation. EMG is used to evaluate muscle weakness, nerve dysfunction, or neuromuscular disorders.

MD = Muscular Dystrophy

• A group of genetic disorders that cause progressive muscle weakness and degeneration. Types of muscular dystrophy include Duchenne muscular dystrophy (most common) and Becker muscular dystrophy, among others.

MG = Myasthenia Gravis

• A chronic autoimmune disorder that disrupts communication between nerves and muscles, leading to muscle weakness. Symptoms often include drooping eyelids (ptosis), difficulty swallowing, and fatigue with activity.

OA = Osteoarthritis

• A degenerative joint disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage within joints. Common symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. OA primarily affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and spine.

OP = Osteoporosis

• A condition characterized by a decrease in bone density, making bones weak, brittle, and more prone to fractures. It often affects older adults, especially postmenopausal women, due to reduced levels of estrogen.

OT = Occupational Therapy

• A therapeutic approach focused on enabling individuals to perform meaningful daily activities and tasks despite injury, illness, or disability. OT helps patients regain independence in activities of daily living and adapt to physical or cognitive limitations.

PKR = Partial Knee Replacement

• A surgical procedure in which only the damaged part of the knee joint is replaced with a prosthesis. PKR is an alternative to total knee replacement for patients with localized arthritis in one compartment of the knee.

PMR = Polymyalgia Rheumatica

• An inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness, particularly in the shoulders, neck, and hips. PMR is more common in older adults and is often associated with systemic inflammation, such as in giant cell arteritis.

RA = Rheumatoid Arthritis

• A chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformities. Unlike osteoarthritis, RA often affects smaller joints and can involve systemic symptoms like fatigue and fever.

ROM = Range of Motion

• The extent of movement a joint or muscle can achieve in various directions. It is often assessed in physical therapy, injury evaluation, or post-surgery rehabilitation to determine joint health or progress of recovery

RSD = Repetitive Stress Disorder

• Definition: A condition caused by repetitive motion or overuse of muscles, tendons, or nerves, leading to pain, inflammation, or injury. Common examples include tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome.

THR = Total Hip Replacement

• Definition: A surgical procedure in which the damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial prosthesis. THR is often performed for severe arthritis or hip fractures, restoring function and relieving pain.

TKR = Total Knee Replacement

• Definition: A surgical procedure in which the entire knee joint is replaced with a prosthesis. TKR is used to treat severe arthritis or joint damage that significantly impacts mobility and quality of life.

Achilles Tendon

• Named After: Achilles, a hero of Greek mythology.

The tendon that connects the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the heel bone (calcaneus). It plays a critical role in walking, running, and jumping. Frequently injured in sports, leading to conditions such as Achilles tendinitis or ruptures.

Paget's Disease of Bone

• Named After: Sir James Paget, a British surgeon.

A chronic bone disorder causing abnormal bone remodeling, leading to weakened, enlarged, and deformed bones. It commonly affects the pelvis, skull, spine, and legs. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent fractures and manage symptoms.

Baker's Cyst

• Named After: William Morrant Baker, a British surgeon.

A fluid-filled sac located behind the knee, often resulting from joint inflammation or conditions like arthritis. A Baker’s cyst is common in patients with osteoarthritis or knee injuries. It can cause swelling, discomfort, and limited knee movement.

Erb’s Palsy

• Named After: Wilhelm Heinrich Erb, a German neurologist.

A condition caused by injury to the brachial plexus, often during birth or trauma. It leads to weakness or paralysis in the shoulder and elbow muscles. Early diagnosis and intervention through physical therapy are essential for improving outcomes in affected individuals.

Physical Examination

Imaging Techniques

Imaging plays a central role in diagnosing musculoskeletal issues.

• X-rays (radi/o = radiation, -graphy = process of recording)

X-rays are commonly used to visualize bone structure and alignment, making them invaluable for detecting fractures, dislocations, and bone deformities.

• Computed Tomography (CT) (tom/o = to cut, -graphy = process of recording) scans

CT scans offer detailed cross-sectional images of bones and soft tissues, allowing for the evaluation of complex fractures, joint abnormalities, or bone tumors.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (magnet/o = magnet, -graphy = process of recording)

An MRI provides high-resolution images of soft tissues, including muscles, ligaments, and cartilage. This is particularly useful for diagnosing ligament tears, muscle injuries, and spinal abnormalities.

• Bone Scans use a small amount of radioactive material to detect bone infections, fractures not visible on X-rays, and cancer metastases.

Laboratory Tests

Laboratory tests help identify underlying causes of musculoskeletal conditions.

• Blood Tests: Used to detect inflammatory markers (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) or abnormal calcium and phosphate levels linked to bone diseases.

• Urine Tests: Assess metabolic bone disorders like osteoporosis (oste/o = bone, -porosis = porous condition) or conditions associated with muscle breakdown, such as rhabdomyolysis (rhabd/o = rod-shaped, my/o = muscle, -lysis = destruction).

Specialized Diagnostic Procedures

Specialized diagnostic procedures provide further insights into musculoskeletal health.

• Electromyography (EMG) (electr/o = electricity, my/o = muscle, -graphy = process of recording)

An EMG measures electrical activity in muscles to diagnose nerve compression, muscle diseases, or motor neuron disorders.

• Arthroscopy (arthr/o = joint, -scopy = visual examination)

An arthroscopy uses a small camera to visually examine the inside of a joint. This procedure is particularly helpful for identifying joint issues like torn cartilage or ligament injuries.

• Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) (absorp = absorption, -metry = process of measuring)

DEXA measures bone density and is widely used to detect osteoporosis and monitor bone health over time.

Biopsies

Biopsies are sometimes necessary to diagnose specific musculoskeletal conditions.

• Muscle Biopsy (bi/o = life, -opsy = view of)

Muscle biopsy involves removing a small sample of muscle tissue for microscopic examination to identify diseases like muscular dystrophy or myositis (my/o = muscle, -itis = inflammation).

• Bone Biopsy (oste/o = bone)

Bone biopsy is used to diagnose infections, tumors, or other abnormalities within bone tissue.

Functional and Stress Tests

Functional and stress tests are used to evaluate musculoskeletal performance.

• Gait Analysis assesses walking patterns to identify musculoskeletal issues that affect movement.

• Stress Tests evaluate joint stability or muscle endurance under physical strain.