Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Glossary of Terms

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the RA Quiz
3. Understanding Lupus Slideshow Pictures

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: The professional organization of American orthop...

Anatomy: The study of human or animal form, by observation or examination of the living be...

Anesthesia: Loss of feeling or awareness, as when an anesthetic is administered before sur...

Anticoagulant: An agent that is used to prevent the formation of blood clots. Anticoagulan...

Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, w...

Blood clots: Blood that has been converted from a liquid to a solid state. Also called a t...

Bone marrow: The soft blood-forming tissue that fills the cavities of bones and contains f...

Cartilage: Firm, rubbery tissue that cushions bones at joints. A flexible kind of cartilag...

Cavities: Holes or structural damage in the two outer layers of a tooth called the enamel...

Discharge: 1.The flow of fluid from part of the body, such as from the nose or vag...

Drain: A device for removing fluid from a cavity or wound. A drain is typically a tube or ...

Epidural: Outside the dura, the outermost, toughest, and most fibrous of the three membran...

Femur: The single bone in the thigh, which is the largest bone in the human body. Also kno...

Implant: 1. To embed; to set in firmly. In embryology, the fertilized egg implants ...

Incision: A cut through skin or other tissue performed by a health care professional.

Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an...

Infuse: In medicine, to introduce a solution into the body through a vein. An infusion is ...

Injury: Harm or hurt. To harm, hurt, or wound. The word injure may be in physical or emot...

Joint: The area where two bones are attached for the purpose of permitting body parts to m...

Knee: The knee is a joint which has three parts. The thigh bone (the femur) meets the lar...

Knee joint: The knee joint has three parts. The thigh bone (the femur) meets the large sh...

Kneecap: The patella, the small bone in the front of the knee. The patella is a little (se...

Lateral: 1. In anatomy, the side of the body or a body part that is farther from th...

Leg: In popular usage, the part of the body from the top of the thigh down to the foot, an...

Marrow: The bone marrow.

Mouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con...

Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. T...

Nausea: Stomach queasiness, the urge to vomit. Nausea can be brought on by many causes, in...

Nerve: A bundle of fibers that uses electrical and chemical signals to transmit sensory an...

Nerve block: A procedure in which an anesthetic agent is injected directly near a nerve to...

Numb: Numb, or numbness is a loss of the sensation of feeling in an area of the body. Numb...

Operation: In medicine, a surgical procedure. Many operations are named after persons. The...

Orthopedics: The branch of surgery that is broadly concerned with the skeletal system. Som...

Orthopedist: An orthopedic surgeon, a physician who corrects congenital or functional abno...

Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa...

Pain management: The process of providing medical care that alleviates or reduces pain. Mi...

Participant: 1. In a clinical trial, someone who takes part in it. A participant ma...

Pharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup...

Physical therapist: A person who is trained and certified by a state or accrediting body t...

Physical therapy: A branch of rehabilitative health that uses specially designed exercises...

Postoperative: After surgery. As opposed to preoperative, before surgery.

Prosthesis: An artificial replacement of a part of the body, such as a tooth, a facial bon...

Prosthetic: Referring to a prosthesis, an artificial substitute or replacement of a part o...

Prothrombin: A coagulation (clotting) factor that is needed for the normal clotting of blo...

Prothrombin time: A test that is done to gauge the integrity of part of the blood clotting...

Quadriceps: Although the term "quadriceps" technically may refer to any four-headed muscle...

Surgeon: A physician who treats disease, injury, or deformity via operative or manual meth...

Surgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj...

Tendon: The soft tissue by which muscle attaches to bone. Tendons are somewhat flexible, b...

Therapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment.

Thigh: The thick, muscular portion of the leg that extends from the hip to the knee. The t...

Tibia: The larger of the two long bones in the lower leg. The tibia is familiarly known as...

Total knee replacement: A surgical procedure in which damaged parts of the knee joint are ...

Trauma: A physical or emotional injury.

Tubes: The "tubes" are medically known as the Fallopian tubes. There are two Fallopian tub...

Vital: Necessary to maintain life. For example, breathing is a vital function.

Weight loss: Weight loss is a decrease in body weight resulting from either voluntary (die...

X-ray: High-energy radiation with waves shorter than those of visible light. X-ray is used...