Important orthopedic terminology – An orthopedic nurse is a nurse who specializes in treating patients with bone, limb, or musculoskeletal disorders. Nonetheless, because orthopedics and trauma typically follow one another, head injuries and infected wounds are frequently treated by orthopedic nurses.

Ensuring that patients receive the proper pre-and post-operative care following surgery is the responsibility of an orthopedic nurse. They play a critical role in the effort to return patients to baseline before admission. Early detection of complications following surgery, including sepsis, compartment syndrome, and site infections, falls under the purview of orthopedic nurses.

Table of Contents

Important orthopedic terminology

Joints

Traits	Means as	Picture
Ankylosis	Spontaneous fusion of joint either by fibrous tissue or bone.
Arthrodesis	Surgical fusion of a joint.
Arthroplasty	The surgical formation of new joint
Haemarthrosis	A collection of blood in a joint
Arthrotomy	Opening a joint
Effusion	Escape of fluid into the joint cavity
Osteophytes	New bone formation at the margin of a joint due to degenerative condition of the articular surface.
Pseudoarthrosis	The formation of a false fibrous joint.
Arthrocentesis	Joint aspiration
Arthroscopy	Inspection of a joint through an arthroscopy.
Cubitas	Relating to the elbow.
Hallux	The big toe
Subluxation	Partial displacement of a joint
Dislocation	Complete displacement of a bone from joint.
Osteochondritis	An inflammation of the bone and cartilage
Chondromalacia	Erosion of articular cartilage.
Coxa	Relating to hip
Valgus	The bone beyond the joint which qualifies the term is directed away from the midline of the body.eg. Coxa valgus Cubitus valgus Genu valgus
Varus	The bone beyond the joint which qualifies the term is directed towards the midline of the body.e.g. Coxa varus- Cubitus varus- Genu varus
Talipes	Deformity at the tarsal joint.

Bone and Muscles

Atrophy	Wasting usually muscle.
Avulsion	Forcible separation of the fragments of bone.
Diaphysis	Shaft of a long bone.
Epiphysis	Upper end of the long bone.
Distraction	Excessive pulling on a broken bone.
Eburnation	Dense bone formed when cartilage is worn away.
Exostosis	A bony out growth
Involucrum	New bone laid down outside of existing bone.
Osteoporosis	Rarefaction of bone
Osteotomy	Surgical division of bone
Prosthesis	An artificial part used to replace a diseased or damaged portion of the body.
Torticolis	Drawing of the head to one side and twisting of the neck.
Myositis	Inflammation of the muscle

Movements

Flexion	Forward bending of the joint.
Extension	Backward bending of the joint.
Abduction	Movement away from the midline.
Adduction	Movement towards the midline.
Supination	To rotate the forearm in a such a way that the palms looks forward when the arm is in the anatomical position.
Pronation	To rotate the forearm in a such a way that the palms looks downwards when the arm is in the anatomical position
Eversion	Turning outward of the foot.
Inversion	Turning inCward of the foot.
Equinus	Planter flexion of the foot.

Spine

Spondilitis	Inflammatory condition of the spine
Spondylosis	Degenerative condition of the spine.
Spondylolysis	Defect in the pars interarticularis of the vertebra.
Spondylolisthesis	Slipping of one vertebra over the other.
Kyphosis	Excessive forward curvature of the spine
Lordosis	Excessive backward curvature of the spine
Scoliosis	Lateral curvature of the spine
Sciatica	Shooting pain along the course of the sciatic nerve
Laminotomy	Opening made in the lamina.
Laminectomy	Complete removal of the lamina
Fenestration	Opening made in the ligamentum flavumbetween two laminae.

Tendons and Nerve

Tenotomy	Cutting a tendon
Tenodesis	Attaching a tendon to another tendon or bone.
Tenolysis	Freeing of tendion from adhesion.
Tendon transfer	Transferring a tendon from one site to another.
Neuropathy	Pain on nerve.
Neurorrhaphy	Reparing a selected nerve.
Neurectomy	Sectioning a nerve.
Neurolysis	Freeing a nerve from adhesion.
Bursitis	Inflammation of the bursa.
Ganglion	A cystic swelling in the nerve near the joint.
Tenosynovitis	Inflammation of the limiting tendon sheath.
Neuroma	A tumor involving a nerve.