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AAA Repair

Surgical removal of the dilated portion of the lower aorta. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (see Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm)

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

(AAA) Term refers to an enlarged or dilated segment of the portion of the aorta that is in the abdomen, or lower thoracic region. The area weakens the integrity of the blood vessel. Untreated, aneurysms can continue to enlarge and there is a risk of spontaneous rupture, with disastrous bleeding, which can result in death.

Abduct

Motion to move extremity away from the body.

Absorptiometry

Radiological technique for measuring bone density. E.g. dual photon densitometry - DEXA.

ACE

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme. Potential for increased serum levels in sarcoidosis.

Acetaminophen

Commonly used non-narcotic analgesic drug available without a prescription, but lacks an anti-inflammatory effect.

Achilles tendon

Strong fibrous tendon that connects the calf muscle to the calcaneous bone in the foot.

Achilles tendonitis

Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which causes swelling and tenderness at the lower level of the calf to the heel.

Achondroplasia

An inherited form of short-limbed dwarfism.

ACR

American College of Rheumatology.

Acrocyanosis

Symmetrical cyanosis of the extremities, with persistent mottled blue and red discoloration of the skin of the finger, toes, wrists and ankles. Also notable for profuse sweating and coldness of the finger and toes. Also called Raynaud's sign.

Acromelic

Pertaining to or affecting the end of a limb.

Acrometagenesis

Undergrowth of the extremities.

Acrosclerosis

Skin changes at the extremities typical of scleroderma.

Active trigger point

An area of exquisite tenderness that is usually located in a skeletal muscle and is associated with local or regional pain

Acupuncture

is a treatment method aimed at eliciting a response (such as pain relief) through insertion of very fine needles at the body surface at sites called acupuncture points.

Acupuncture

Ancient Chinese practice of piercing precise points on the body with needles in seeking to treat disease or relieve pain. Based on belief of an alternative body energy that travels along meridians.

Acute Pain

Often short-lived with a specific cause and purpose; generally produces no persistent psychological reaction. Acute pain can occur during soft tissue injury, and with infection and inflammation. It can be modulated and removed by treating its cause and through combined strategies using analgesics to treat the pain and antibiotics to treat the infection.

Addiction

Psychological or emotional dependence on the effects of a drug.

Adduct

To move extremity toward the body.

Adenocarcinoma

a form of cancer that targets and affects the cells of the lining in several body organs.

Adhesive Capsulitis

A global decrease in shoulder range of motion, referring to the actual adherence of the shoulder capsule to the humeral head. Generally, presents with a painful onset of idiopathic (without recognizable cause) restriction of shoulder movement.

Adjuvants

Term used for the medications that are used to augment, or compliment, the analgesic effect of opioids, or to manage the side effects of opioid therapy.

Agenesis Of The Jaw

Congenital absence of the condyloid process, resulting in severe facial deformity.

Aggrecan

The shortened name for large aggregating chondroitin sulphate proteglycan. It is a molecular mass typically composed of large keratan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan.