Orthopedics Language WorkshopOrthopedic terminology is quite specialized, and thorough exposure to orthopedic word-building terms will help you get the most out of this FOMS unit. As you work through the reports in this unit, it is important to stop and research terms you are unfamiliar with. Also, if you have not already begun to do so, now is a GREAT time to start a word list. A word list is a resource you will use not only throughout this training program, but also when you become a productive ME.

COMMON ORTHOPEDICS ROOT WORDS AND COMBINING FORMSRoot Word & Combining Form Meaning Exampleacr/o extremities acromegalyankyl/o crooked or fused ankylodactylyarthr/o joint arthroplastyarticul/o joint articulationbrachi/o arm brachiocephalicburs/o bursa bursectomycalc/I calcium calcificationcarp/o carpus/wrist carpometacarpalcervic/o neck cervicothoracicchondr/o cartilage chondromalaciacleid/o clavicle sternocleidomastoidcost/o rib costochondritisdactyl/o fingers or toes dactyledemadisc/o disc/disk discogenicfemor/o femur femoralfibul/o fibula fibulotibialili/o ilium (hip bone) sacroiliacischi/o ischium (hip) ischiodynialumb/o lower back lumbosacralmy/o muscle myotomyodyn/o pain arthrodyniaorth/o straight orthopedicoste/o bone osteopathicpatell/o patella (kneecap) patellofemoralphalang/o phalanx or phalanges interphalangealproxim/o nearest point of origin proximalspondyl/o vertebra spondylolisthesisstern/o sternum retrosternaltars/o tarsal (ankle bone) metatarsal

COMMON ORTHOPEDICS PREFIXESPrefix Meaning Exampleab- away from abductad- toward adductdia- through, between dialysishemi-/semi- half, partly hemilaminectomyinfra- beneath infraorbitalinter- between intercondylarperi- around, near periventricularretro- behind, backward retroareolarsyn-/sym- together, union symphysis

COMMON ORTHOPEDICS SUFFIXESSuffix Meaning Example-algia pain fibromyalgia-edema swelling lymphedema-itis inflammation arthritis-kinesia/-kinesis movement, motion hypokinesis-lysis loosening, freeing adhesiolysis-malacia softening chondromalacia-penia deficiency osteopenia-plasty surgical repair arthroplasty-tome a cutting instrument osteotome-tomy incision (cutting into) craniotomy

COMMON ORTHOPEDICS ABBREVIATIONSAbbreviation ExpansionAC acromioclavicularACL anterior cruciate ligamentC1-7 cervical vertebrae 1-7C-spine cervical spineCMC carpometacarpal (joint)CPM continuous passive motionCTS carpal tunnel syndromeDIP distal interphalangeal (joint)IP interphalangealIT iliotibialL1-5 lumbar vertebrae 1-5L-spine lumbar spineLS lumbosacral (spine)MCP metacarpophalangeal (joint)

MTP metatarsophalangeal (joint)PCL posterior cruciate ligamentPIP proximal interphalangeal (joint)SI sacroiliac (joint)T1-12 thoracic vertebrae 1-12T-spine thoracic spineTMJ temporomandibular joint

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