Glossary of Shoulder & Elbow Terms

		Glossary of Shoulder & Elbow Terms
		A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
	Acromion	A flat bone that is part of the shoulder blade and is present above the shoulder joint

	Acromioclavicular joint	The joint between the clavicle and the acromion

	Anchors	Metal screws that have sutures attached to them

	Arthroscope	A telescope that can be introduced into joints

	Arthroscopy	Also known as key hole surgery. A method of using small holes to introduce a camera and instruments to diagnose and treat shoulder problems

	Bursa	A small sac of fluid situated between the acromion and the rotator cuff muscles giving a cushioning effect

	Capsule	A sac surrounding the shoulder joint

	Calcific tendonitis	Inflammation in the rotator cuff tendons caused by the deposition of calcium crystals

	Cartilage	Soft tissue that lines joint surfaces allowing bones to glide. It also acts as a shock absorber

	Coracoacromial arch	The arch formed by the acromion and the coracoacromial ligament

	Coracoid	A knuckle of bone protruding from the front of the shoulder blade

	Clavicle	The collar bone

	Dislocation	When the ball pops out of the socket of a joint

	Distension arthrogram	A radiological treatment of frozen shoulders. Here fluid is injected into the shoulder joint to try and distend it causing a breakdown of scar tissue

	ECG Electro cardio gram	Test to check the function of the heart

	Extension Straightening a joint	This causes the bones connected by the joint to move away from each other

	Flexion Bending of a joint	This causes the bones connected by the joint to be approximated

	Frozen shoulder	A condition where movement in the shoulder gradually decreases causing pain and disability

	Humerus	The upper arm bone

	Hydrotherapy pool	A pool with warm water used by physiotherapists for treatment

	Impingement	Pain caused by pinching of the rotator cuff tendons between the acromion and the shoulder joint

	Instability	A condition where the shoulder joint is not stable

	Key hole surgery	See Arthroscopy

	Labrum	Lip of the socket of the shoulder that deepens it to prevent dislocation

	Ligament	Band of tough tissue that connect bone to bone around joints. They provide stability to joints.

	Local anaesthetic	A drug that that is injected into tissues and joints. It deadens the area by blocking nerves and is used for pain relief or to perform minor surgery

	MRI scan	Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A non invasive technique that uses a powerful magnet and computers to obtain three dimensional pictures of body structures

	MRSA	Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Staphylococcus Aureus is a common bug found in the nose skin etc of healthy people. Some strains of Staphylococcus Aureus have developed resistance to the antibiotic Methicillin. They are harder to treat and cause more problems

	Orthopaedic surgeon	A doctor who specialises in the management of musculoskeletal disorders.

	Osteoarthritis	A disease where the cartilage covering of joint surfaces is lost. This leads to pain, swelling and loss of motion. It is also known as degenerative joint disease

	Physiotherapy	A branch of treatment that uses physical means to relieve pain, regain range of movement, restore muscle strength and return patients to normal activities of daily living

	Physiotherapist	A practitioner of physiotherapy

	Prosthesis	Artificial implant

	Radius	Bone on the outside of the forearm

	Radiologist	A Doctor who specialises in the use of x-rays, ultrasound, MRI scans and CT scans for diagnosis and treatment

	Regional block	A method of anaesthesia used to deaden parts of the body without putting the patient to sleep

	Rheumatoid arthritis	A disease that causes inflammation of joints, muscles, tendons etc. It leads to destruction of the joint causing pain, swelling and loss of motion

	Rotator Cuff	A group of four muscles present in the subacromial space. They are attached to the top of the humerus and move and rotate the arm

	Scapula	The shoulder blade

	Shaver	An instrument to take away bone during arthroscopic surgery

	Shoulder joint	A ball and socket joint at the upper end of the humerus

	Spurs	Bony growths that form with overuse and arthritis

	Steroid	A drug that is injected into tissues to decrease inflammation. This is used for pain relief and can last for weeks to months. Can often be very painful in the first few days after injection

	Subacromial space	The space beneath the acromion and above the rotator cuff.

	Surface replacement	A minimally invasive, bone preserving type of joint replacement. This is a metal cap that is fitted on to the ball of the shoulder joint

	Surgilig ligament	Artificial ligament used to repair dislocated acromioclavicular joints

	Sutures	Stitches

	Tendon	Strong band that connects muscles to bones

	Tendonitis	Inflammation of tendons

	Ulna	Bone on the inside of the forearm

	Ulnar nerve	Nerve on the inside of the elbow. Irritation causes pins and needles in the little and ring fingers

	Ultrasound	A non-invasive, painless method of looking at the tissues within the body

	Vaporiser	Instrument used to burn away tissue

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