Glossary

A B C D F G H I K

L M O P R S T V

	Acetabulum
	The socket of the pelvic bone.
	Acromion
	The top part of the shoulder blade.
	Allograft
	The bone taken from an outside source, a bone bank, to use in a graft or fusion.
	Arthritis
	There are three types of this joint disease: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic arthritis.
	Arthroplasty
	Another name for a joint replacement.
	Arthroscopy
	A surgical procedure in which a viewing tube and other instruments are inserted into small incisions. This is commonly used to make small knee repairs and to repair the rotator cuff.
	Autograft
	The bone taken from a patient to use in a graft or fusion; bone is usually taken from the hip.

B

	Bone Graft
	The use of bone taken from the patient’s hip or bone from an outside source, to add to a fusion.
	Bone Spurs
	Irregular bone growths that sometimes irritate nerves causing pain. They can be removed surgically.
	Bursa
	The lubricating sac of fluid in the shoulder joint.
	Bursitis
	Inflammation of the lubricating sac of fluid (bursa) in the shoulder joint.

C

	Cartilage
	The thin smooth protective lining of the bone inside the joint. Cartilage contains no nerve endings or blood supply and receives nutrients from the fluid contained within the joint. Its purposes for the joint include smooth movement, shock absorption, and nutrition.
	Cervical Spine
	The seven vertebrae that make up the neck.
	Continuous Passive Machine
	A device that comfortably supports the leg while continuously bending the knee following a total knee replacement.

D

	Degenerative Disc Disease
	Deterioration in the structure and function of the disc which leads to pain of the back and legs.
	Disc
	A cushioning structure located between each vertebrae. Each disc is made of three parts: the annulus fibrosis (outer layer), the nucleus pulposus (jelly-like middle portion), and the endplates (top and bottom of vertebral body).
	Discectomy
	Surgical removal of a diseased disc.

F

	Femur
	Thigh bone.
	Fusion
	Placement of bone or cages between two vertebrae. By fusing the two together, the bones do not rub against each other causing pain.

G

	Gleniod
	The socket portion of the shoulder.

H

	Herniated Disc
	The rupture of a disc allowing the jelly-like nucleus pulposus into the nerve cavity which can cause back or leg pain.
	Hip Joint
	The location where the top of the femur meets the acetabulum. The top of the femur is ball-shaped and fits snugly in the socket formed by the acetabulum.
	Humerus
	Upper arm bone.

I

	Impingement
	The narrowing of a space that may lead to irritation, inflammation, weakness, or tearing of the rotator cuff. This is also a cause of back pain when a disc presses on a nerve.

K

	Knee Joint
	It is commonly referred to as a "hinge" joint because it allows the knee to flex and extend. The knee also has the ability to turn and glide. The tibia, femur, and patella make up this joint.

L

	Labrum
	A soft tissue lip that keeps the ball end of the shoulder joint centered in the socket.
	Ligaments
	Bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones or cartilage serving to support and strengthen the joints.
	Lumbar Spine
	The lowest five vertebrae of the spine.

M

	Morbidity
	Postoperative pain and complications attributed to surgery.

O

	Osteoarthritis
	This disease which most often affects people over the age of sixty targets the tissues that allow joints move smoothly. The layers of cartilage and synovium become damaged and, as they wear away, the bones are left unprotected to rub against each other causing pain.

P

	Patella
	Knee cap.
	Polyethylene
	Medical plastic which is used in some joint replacement components.

R

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This disease, affecting more females than males and any age group, targets and destroys the synovial lining, the cartilage, and the joint surface by telling the immune system to produce a harmful chemical. It causes joint pain and the loss of mobility.

Rotator Cuff

A group of four tendons that connect four short muscles of the shoulder blade to the humerus. These muscles are what control overhead arm movement and help to keep the shoulder stable.

S

Spinal Cord

Primary nervous system, runs from base of the skull to the lower back through the spinal canal. The primary reason for spine surgery is impingement by a vertebra or disc of one of the nerves.

Spine

The spine is made of twenty-six vertebrae, discs, and ligaments. It’s primary purpose is body support and protection of the spinal cord.

Synovial lining

The part of a joint which produces a moisturizing lubricant that a cartilage needs to repair itself.

T

	Tendons
	Tough, string bands of tissue located at the ends of muscles which connect the muscles to the bones.
	Tendonitis
	Inflammation of the tendons.
	Thoracic Spine
	The twelve vertebrae of the mid-back which are attached to the rib cage.
	Thrombosis
	A blood clot in the veins. This can occur in the legs following major surgery.
	Tibia
	Shin bone.

V

	Vertebra
	A single bone of the spinal column. Each of these bones has a canal that runs top to bottom. Together they form a tunnel referred to as the spinal canal. Nerves run through this tunnel carrying signal between the brain and body. The lamina of each vertebra forms the back of the spinal canal. The foramen is a small opening where a nerve leaves the spinal canal.