ABOS Orthopaedic Surgery Part II key terms

A physical examination maneuver performed with the patient in the lateral decubitus position to assess tightness of the iliotibial band and tensor fasciae latae, measured by whether the abducted limb can lower to the table.

A finding in which the pelvis drops on the unsupported side during single-leg stance, indicating weakness or dysfunction of the hip abductors, chiefly the gluteus medius and minimus.

Lateral hip pain arising from degeneration or inflammation of the gluteus medius and minimus tendons and adjacent bursae, often without true bursitis, and frequently responsive to physical therapy before surgical consideration.

A hip preservation procedure that restores the femoral head-neck junction with a bone graft and a synthetic ligamentum teres to stabilize the hip while preserving the native joint, used in select young patients with dysplasia or instability.

A bony prominence at the anterolateral femoral head-neck junction that abuts the acetabular rim during hip flexion and rotation, producing labral and chondral injury characteristic of femoroacetabular impingement.

Acetabular overcoverage, either focal or global, that traps the femoral head-neck junction during motion and is associated with labral degeneration, rim fractures, and early osteoarthritis.

A redirectional pelvic osteotomy that reorients the acetabulum through multiple cuts around the joint while preserving the posterior column, used to treat symptomatic hip dysplasia in skeletally mature patients.

A knee examination maneuver in which the tibia is translated anteriorly on the femur with the knee held near 20 to 30 degrees of flexion, the most sensitive clinical test for an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

A dynamic knee examination that reproduces rotatory subluxation and reduction of the lateral tibial plateau, indicating deficiency of the anterior cruciate ligament and anterolateral structures.

Surgical replacement of a torn anterior cruciate ligament with an autograft or allograft to restore anterior and rotational knee stability, typically combined with rehabilitation and sometimes with lateral extra-articular augmentation.

A tendon transfer used in selected shoulders with irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, attaching the latissimus tendon to the greater tuberosity to restore external rotation and overhead function.

A shoulder salvage procedure in which a graft is secured between the superior glenoid and the greater tuberosity to reduce superior humeral head migration in irreparable rotator cuff tears.

A shoulder replacement that medializes and distalizes the center of rotation by placing a convex glenosphere on the glenoid and a concave humeral component, used for rotator cuff arthropathy and complex proximal humerus fractures.

Erosion of the inferior scapular neck caused by impingement of the humeral component against the scapula after reverse shoulder arthroplasty, associated with polyethylene wear and component loosening.

Surgical removal of a tumor with a margin of normal tissue to achieve microscopically negative margins while preserving limb function, the standard limb-sparing approach for most soft tissue sarcomas.

The histologic assessment of whether tumor cells reach the resection edge, reported as negative, positive, or close, and a key predictor of local recurrence after sarcoma resection.

Resection of a bone or soft tissue sarcoma with reconstruction of the resulting defect, avoiding amputation while aiming for adequate oncologic margins and functional preservation of the extremity.

A benign epiphyseal cartilage-forming tumor occurring most often in adolescents, typically in the proximal humerus or distal femur, producing pain and sometimes a secondary aneurysmal bone cyst component.

A malignant bone-forming tumor that most commonly arises in the metaphysis of long bones in adolescents and young adults, with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and wide resection as standard treatment.

A benign, expansile, blood-filled cystic bone lesion that can occur as a primary tumor or secondary to another bone lesion, treated with curettage and bone grafting when symptomatic.

A system for describing physeal fractures by the anatomic structures involved, from type I through type V, guiding prognosis for growth disturbance and choice of reduction and fixation.

A bridge of bone that forms across a damaged growth plate and tethers longitudinal growth, potentially causing angular deformity or limb shortening and sometimes requiring resection with interposition material.

The use of temporary tension-band plates or staples across a portion of a physis to modulate growth and correct angular deformity in a growing child, with removal timed to allow remaining growth.

A spectrum of hip joint abnormalities ranging from mild acetabular shallowness to frank dislocation, diagnosed by screening examination and ultrasound in infancy and treated with bracing or surgery depending on age.

A neonatal hip examination maneuver in which an abducted and anteriorly lifted femur reduces a dislocated femoral head into the acetabulum, producing a palpable clunk rather than a click.

A dynamic abduction orthosis used in infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip that holds the hips flexed and abducted to encourage concentric reduction while allowing some movement.

A radiographic technique that measures bone mineral density at central sites such as the spine and hip, used to diagnose osteoporosis and monitor treatment response.

A validated calculator that estimates the ten-year probability of major osteoporotic and hip fracture using clinical risk factors, with or without bone mineral density, to guide pharmacologic treatment decisions.

A transverse or short oblique fracture of the subtrochanteric or diaphyseal femur with localized cortical thickening and a medial spike, associated with prolonged bisphosphonate use and often requiring intramedullary fixation.

A staged approach to the multiply injured patient in which temporary external fixation and hemorrhage control are prioritized over definitive fracture repair until physiologic stabilization is achieved.

A treatment strategy that performs definitive fixation of major fractures within roughly 24 to 36 hours in resuscitated patients, reducing complications compared with delayed or damage-control approaches in selected populations.

Elevated pressure within a closed fascial compartment that compromises tissue perfusion, producing pain out of proportion, pain with passive stretch, and tense swelling, and requiring urgent fasciotomy.

Application of gradual axial traction through a halo ring and pulley system to correct severe spinal deformity or improve pulmonary function before definitive spinal fusion.

A posterior spinal osteotomy that removes a wedge of bone including the pedicle to create lordosis or correct sagittal imbalance, typically performed at the lumbar spine.

A three-column spinal osteotomy in which an entire vertebral segment is removed to correct severe rigid deformity, requiring segmental instrumentation and often neuromonitoring.

A serial casting technique for congenital clubfoot that gradually corrects the deformity through specific manipulation and casting, often followed by Achilles tenotomy and a foot abduction orthosis to prevent relapse.

A congenital deformity with hindfoot equinus and varus plus midfoot cavus and forefoot adduction, treated with serial casting starting in infancy and sometimes requiring surgery for residual deformity.

A brace with shoes mounted on a bar that holds the feet in abduction and external rotation after clubfoot correction, worn full-time initially and then at night to reduce recurrence risk.

Wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet, a technique using lidocaine with epinephrine for hand and wrist surgery that allows intraoperative patient feedback and avoids tourniquet discomfort and general anesthesia.

Adverse effects from excessive local anesthetic absorption, including seizures, arrhythmias, and cardiovascular collapse, treated with airway support, benzodiazepines, and intravenous lipid emulsion rescue.

A catecholamine added to local anesthetics to cause vasoconstriction, prolong block duration, and reduce bleeding, with systemic effects that must be considered in patients with cardiac disease.