| Term |
Definition |
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| Achilles Tendonitis |
Achilles tendinitis is inflammation, irritation, and swelling of the Achilles tendon (the tendon that connects the muscles of the calf to the heel). |
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| Achilles tendon |
The large tendon connecting the heel bone to the calf muscle of the leg. |
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| arthritis |
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, which results in pain, swelling, and limited movement.
Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects the joint, allowing for smooth movement. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, like when you walk. Without the usual amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness. |
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| ball and socket joint |
Has flexibility due to a domed bone that turns in a cavity of the same shape. The hip, a joint between the waist and top of the thigh on the side of the body is a good example of a ball and socket joint. |
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| bone bruise |
an inflammation or small fractures in the outer layers of the tissue that cover the bone. A bone bruise is a sharply painful injury caused by the direct impact of a hard object or surface on the bone. Bruises are often caused by falls, sports injuries, car accidents, or blows received by other people or objects (rocks, etc.). Often there doesn't seem to be any discoloration or swelling. Bone bruises can hurt for several weeks. |
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| cartilage |
Firm, rubbery tissue that cushions bones at joints.
A more flexible kind of cartilage connects muscles with bones and makes up parts of the body, such as the larynx and the outside parts of the ear. |
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| cartilaginous joints |
Flexible joints due to an elastic tissue (cartilage). Each of the bones in the spinal column, or vertebrae, are examples of such a joint. |
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| discs |
The discs are made of strong rubber-like tissue, which allows the spine to be fairly flexible. |
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| fascia |
The fascia is a flat band of tissue below the skin that covers the underlying tissues and separates different layers of tissue. Fascia encloses muscles. Inflammation of the fascia is referred to as fasciitis. |
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| fallen arches |
Fallen arches are a breaking down of the arches of the foot, either longitudinal, transverse, or both; the resulting deformity is flat (longitudinal) or splay (transverse) foot, or both. |
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| fascia |
The fascia is a flat band of tissue below the skin that covers the underlying tissues and separates different layers of tissue. Fascia encloses muscles. Inflammation of the fascia is referred to as fasciitis. |
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| fibromyalgia |
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain. Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. Previously, fibromyalgia was known by other names such as fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism and tension myalgias. |
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| flexor surface |
The areas of the skin that touch when a joint bends are called the flexor surfaces. For example, the inner arm when the elbow is bent. The parts of the skin on the opposite side of the joint are called the extensor surfaces. For example, the outer arm when the elbow is bent. |
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| heel spur |
A heel spur is a hook of bone that can form on the heel bone and is associated with plantar fasciitis.
A heel spur develops as an abnormal growth of the heel bone. Calcium deposits form when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel area, causing a bony protrusion, or heel spur to develop. The plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue located along the bottom surface of the foot that runs from the heel to the forefoot. Heel spurs can cause extreme pain in the rearfoot, especially while standing or walking. |
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| herniated disk |
A disk herniates (ruptures) when part of the center pushes through the outer edge of the disk putting pressure on the nerves. Spinal nerves are very sensitive to even slight amounts of pressure. Symptoms include: a burning pain centered in the neck, weakness in one leg, tingling or numbness in one leg or buttock, loss of bladder or bowel control. |
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| hinged joint |
A joint that is flexible in only one direction. The elbow (connects the forearm to the upper arm) is a hinge joint; it can open and close like a door.
"Extend" means to straighten the joint and "flex" means to bend the joint. |
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| immovable joints |
These joints are fixed and do not allow flexibility. The skull, the boney case of the brain, is one example of an immovable joint. |
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| joint |
Junction of two bones that permits movement. |
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| ligaments |
A sheet or band of tough, fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages at a joint or supporting an organ. |
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| metatarsal |
The long bones in the mid-foot. |
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| metatarsal cushions |
Padding placed near the top of the metatarsal bones in order to redistribute the weight from the metatarsal heads to the shaft. |
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| Morton's Neuroma |
A neuroma is a noncancerous (benign) growth of nerve tissue that can develop in various parts of your body. Morton's neuroma occurs in a nerve in your foot, often between your third and fourth toes. The condition isn't a true tumor, but instead involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the digital nerves leading to your toes. Morton's neuroma causes a sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot. Your toes also may sting, burn or feel numb if you have Morton's neuroma.
Also called plantar neuroma or intermetatarsal neuroma, Morton's neuroma may occur in response to irritation, injury or pressure — such as from wearing tightfitting shoes. But Morton's neuroma may also occur for unknown reasons. |
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| muscles |
A tissue composed of fibers capable of contracting to effect bodily movement.
A muscle may also be a special bundle of tissue, which moves a particular bone, part, or substance of the body.
The lower back is made up of muscles that attach to, and surround, the spine. The various muscles that are attached to the spine enable the spine to bend and move in various ways. |
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| myofaciitis |
Pain or other dysfunctions in the network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments and other soft connective tissue that holds our bodies together. The pain may start abruptly or gradually. |
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| orthotics |
Shoe inserts that are intended to correct an abnormal, or irregular, walking pattern by making standing, walking, and running more comfortable and efficient by altering the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface. Not simply “arch supports”. |
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| osteoarthritis |
A form of arthritis, occurring mainly in older persons, that is characterized by chronic degeneration of the cartilage of the joints. Also called degenerative joint disease.
It may only strike one joint or may affect any joint in your body, including those in your fingers, hips, knees, lower back and feet. |
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| Osteoporosis |
Osteoporosis is the thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time.
Osteoporosis is the most common type of bone disease. There are currently an estimated 10 million Americans suffering from osteoporosis, as well as another 18 million who have low bone mass, or osteopenia.
Osteoporosis occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone, or when too much old bone is reabsorbed by the body, or both.
Calcium and phosphate are two minerals that are essential for normal bone formation. Throughout youth, the body uses these minerals to produce bones. If calcium intake is not sufficient, or if the body does not absorb enough calcium from the diet, bone production and bone tissues may suffer.
As people age, calcium and phosphate may be reabsorbed back into the body from the bones, which makes the bone tissue weaker. Both situations can result in brittle, fragile bones that are subject to fractures, even without trauma.
Usually, the loss occurs gradually over years. |
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| overpronation |
When the feet roll inward too much. |
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| Plantar Fascia |
The plantar fascia is a long band of fibers that go from the bottom of the heel bone to the beginning of the toes. The plantar fascia helps support your arches and provides shock absorption for the bottom of the foot. |
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| Plantar Fasciitis |
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia. It is a common cause of heel pain, especially in older adults and athletes such as runners. Healing time for plantar fasciitis depends on the activities or problems that caused it. It may take weeks to months of treatment for your plantar fasciitis to go away. |
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| pronation |
The inward (medial) roll of the foot and in particular the heel and arch which occurs naturally at the heel strike as a cushioning mechanism. See also overpronation. |
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| quadriceps muscle |
Group of the four prevailing muscles on the front of the thigh. They attach to the front of the tibia and originate at the top of the femur. They are crucial in walking, running, jumping and squatting. |
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| repetitive motion |
Any motion done over and over again or for a prolonged period of time. This includes many activities such as standing, sitting, or typing.
On average, your body can tolerate being in one position for about 20 minutes before you feel the need to adjust. |
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| sciatica |
Occurs when a herniated disk comes in contact with the sciatic nerve causing sharp, shooting pain through the buttocks and back of the leg. |
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| semi-mobile joints |
These types of joints have very restricted mobility. One example of this type of joint are the ribs; the bones of the thoracic cage. Another example would be a vertebra; each of the bones in the spinal column. |
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| Severs Disease |
Sever's disease occurs in children when the growing part of the heel is injured. This growing part is called the growth plate.
The foot is one of the first body parts to grow to full size. This usually occurs in early puberty. During this time, bones often grow faster than muscles and tendons. As a result, muscles and tendons become tight. The heel area is less flexible. During weight-bearing activity (activity performed while standing), the tight heel tendons may put too much pressure at the back of the heel (where the Achilles tendon attaches). This can injure the heel.
Sever's disease is most common in physically active girls 8 to 10 years old and in physically active boys 10 to 12 years old. |
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| Shin Splints |
Shin splints are pains in the front of the lower legs caused by exercise. They usually appear after a period of relative inactivity. |
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| somatosensory |
Consists of the various sensory receptors that trigger the experiences labeled as touch or pressure, temperature (warm or cold), pain (including itch and tickle), and the sensations of muscle movement and joint position including posture, movement, and facial expression. |
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| spinal stenosis |
Narrowing of the spinal cord that causes nerve pinching leading to continual pain in the buttocks, limping, and lack of feeling in the lower extremities. |
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| tendon |
A band of tough, inelastic fibrous tissue that connects a muscle and bone. |
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| vertebrae |
The spine is made up of many bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are roughly circular and between each vertebra is a 'disc'. |
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| vestibular |
Relating to the sense of equilibrium; relating to the vestibule of the inner ear; relating to the Vestibular nerve. |
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| vestibular system |
Also known as the balance system. The sensory system that provides the dominant input about our movement and orientation in space. |
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