Glossary

Geeks rely on acronyms and jargon. This section is your cheat sheet for GeekHabitat.com, in the event I use an acronym you're unfamiliar with. I will add to this section as necessity requires.

Knee-Related Jargon

ACL:
Anterior Cruciate Ligament. The primary stabilizing ligament of the knee, and the one that's most often injured (torn, stretched). The ACL's job is to prevent hyperextension of the knee and to prevent the femur from sliding backward in relation to the tibia (when this happens, patients report their knee "buckles".) The ACL is often injured in sports or in other situations involving sudden stops or sharp cutting motions. The ACL is attached to the front medial portion of the tibia and passes upward, backward and laterally through the middle of the knee (beneath the patella) where it then crosses the MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) and attaches to the femur. It's a "cruciate" ligament because it and the MCL cross one another. More @ Wikipedia and HealthGate.com
allograft:
A surgical procedure that involves using tissue from a tissue donor (cadaver) and attaching it in the patient's body, such as to reconstruct a torn ligament. More @ Wikipedia
autograft:
A surgical procedure that involves removing tissue from the patient's own body and attaching it elsewhere, such as to reconstruct a torn ligament.
CPM:
Continuous Passive Motion. Usually refers to a device that slowly and automatically puts a joint, such as the knee, through a desired range of motion (ROM). Usually used in conjunction with a cryo cuff to reduce swelling.
cryo cuff:
Basically a high-tech ice pack which draws ice-chilled water from a specialized ice chest and forces it into a cuff worn around the injured joint. Used to alleviate swelling and for pain relief. More @ Wikipedia
extension:
The straightening or extending of a joint or limb. Orthopedic patients undergoing Physical Therapy measure their progress in recovery by their total extension. Extension is measured in degrees. Generally, 0 degrees of extension (a straight leg, with the underside of the knee touching the floor) is considered the minimum that is considered "full extension". Since the knee joint can naturally hyper-extend (extend backwards, eg. into the negative degrees) somewhat, full extension is actually -5 to -10 degrees.
flexion:
The bending of a joint or limb. Called flexion because the muscles responsible for the action are called flexors. Orthopedic patients undergoing Physical Therapy measure their progress in recovery by their total flexion. Flexion is measured in degrees. Generally, 135 degrees of flexion is considered the minimum that is considered "full flexion". In reality, full flexion is around 145 or 150 degrees, indicated by touching one's heel to one's buttocks.
FWB:
Full Weight Bearing. When your surgeon permits you to place your full body weight on your post-op leg when you stand or walk. Antonym: Non-Weight Bearing
hamstring graft:
A method of reconstructing a torn ACL by harvesting several strands of tendon from the patient's (or a donor's) hamstrings and bundling them together (with sutures) to serve as a replacement for the torn ACL. The hamstrings are a group of muscles which run vertically along the back of the thigh.
lateral:
Relating to, situated in, or extending toward the side. For example, the left side of one's left knee, and the right side of one's right knee are both "lateral" in relation to the rest of the body -- they're "off to the side" of the body. More @ Wikipedia
medial:
Relating to, situated in, or extending toward the middle; median. For example, the right side of one's left knee, and the left side of one's right knee are both "medial" in relation to the rest of the body -- they're in the "middle" of the body. More @ Wikipedia
meniscus:
Cartilage inside a joint, such as the knee, which serves as a cushion to prevent bones from coming into contact with one another. This cartilage, when healthy, provides a smooth, slick surface for the joint to function properly. ACL injuries are often, though not always, accompanied by a tear to either the medial or lateral meniscus or other joint structures. More @ Wikipedia
OS:
Orthopedic Surgeon; Also: Orthopedic Specialist; a Medical Doctor (MD) whose specialty is muscles, joints and ligaments. More @ Wikipedia
PROM:
Passive Range of Motion; Passive ROM. Range of motion of a joint, such as the knee, that is achieved passively rather than under the joint's own muscle power. One example of a Passive ROM exercise are heel slides when a strap lashed over the foot is pulled toward one's chest to bring the knee to flexion.
proprioception:
The brain's awareness of a joint's or limb's position in relation to the rest of the body. Sometimes referred to as the "sixth sense," this is something that has to be recovered through physical therapy after knee surgery, particular if the patient's own ACL has been damaged. More @ Wikipedia
PT:
Physical Therapy; Also: Physical Therapist. The process/person responsible for assisting a post-op patient in regaining their mobility and independence after injury/surgery. More @ Wikipedia
PTG:
Patellar Tendon Graft; Also: Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone (BPTB) graft. A method of reconstructing a torn ACL by harvesting the middle 1/3 of a patient's (or donor's) patellar tendon to serve as a replacement for the torn ACL. The patellar tendon runs vertically across the knee cap and is anchored to the bottom of the patella (knee cap) and the top of the femur.
ROM:
Range of Motion. The area through which a joint may normally be freely moved; the range of flexion and extension of a joint.