ABPS Orthopedic Surgery key terms

A five-type system describing fractures that involve the growth plate, based on which bone layers are crossed. Types I through V range from physeal-only separation to crush injury of the physis.

The cartilaginous growth plate near the end of a long bone where new bone forms during childhood. Injury here can disturb length and alignment as the child grows.

The gradual reshaping of bone after fracture or growth, in which bone is resorbed and laid down to restore normal form. It is most powerful in young children with nearby growth plates.

Healing of a fracture in an unacceptable position, leaving deformity, shortening, or rotational error. It differs from nonunion, in which healing fails to occur at all.

Failure of a fracture to heal within the expected time, with persistent motion at the fracture site and no progressive bridging bone. Causes include instability, poor blood supply, infection, and smoking.

A fracture that heals more slowly than expected for its location and pattern but still shows signs of progress. It is distinguished from nonunion, where healing has effectively stopped.

A fracture in which bone communicates with the outside environment through a wound or exposed bone. It requires urgent antibiotics, tetanus assessment, debridement, and stabilization to prevent deep infection.

A grading system for open fractures based on wound size, soft-tissue damage, and contamination. Grades I to III guide urgency of debridement and antibiotic choice, with III subdivided by vascular injury.

Surgical removal of dead tissue, foreign material, and contaminants from a wound. In open fractures and infections it is repeated until only healthy, bleeding tissue remains.

Dangerously raised pressure within a closed fascial compartment that impairs blood flow to muscle and nerve. It causes pain out of proportion, pain on passive stretch, and threatens limb viability without urgent fasciotomy.

Surgical division of fascia to release pressure from a compartment. It is the definitive treatment for compartment syndrome and is performed urgently to prevent muscle and nerve death.

Death of bone tissue from loss of its blood supply, often affecting the femoral head, scaphoid, or talus. It can follow fractures, steroids, or alcohol use and may lead to joint collapse.

A system such as the Ficat or ARCO classification that grades bone death by imaging findings, from normal X-ray with MRI changes to joint collapse. Stage guides whether joint-preserving surgery is still possible.

Infection of bone, often from bacteria introduced by open injury, surgery, or bloodstream spread. Chronic disease involves dead bone fragments that must be removed for cure.

A piece of dead bone separated from living bone by infection or loss of blood supply. It acts as a nidus for persistent infection and usually must be surgically removed.

Progressive loss of articular cartilage with joint-space narrowing, bone spurs, and pain worsened by activity. Management moves from exercise and analgesia to joint replacement in advanced disease.

Surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint surface to relieve pain and restore motion. It may be total replacement or partial resurfacing, and can be cemented or uncemented.

A fracture occurring near or around an implanted orthopedic prosthesis, often after a fall in an older patient. Treatment depends on implant stability and bone quality and may require revision.

Replacement or exchange of a previously implanted joint prosthesis because of loosening, infection, wear, instability, or fracture. It is technically more demanding and carries higher complication rates than primary surgery.

A planned surgical cut through bone to correct alignment, length, or rotation. It is used to offload arthritic compartments, correct deformity, and realign malunited fractures.

Material placed to fill a defect and stimulate new bone formation. Autograft is the gold standard, while allograft, synthetic substitutes, and bone morphogenetic protein are alternatives with different risks.

A break in the small carpal bone at the base of the thumb, often from a fall onto an outstretched hand. Its fragile blood supply makes missed injuries prone to nonunion and avascular necrosis.

A ligament inside the knee that limits forward translation and rotation of the tibia. Tears cause instability and pivot-shift episodes and are often treated with reconstruction in active patients.

A knee examination maneuver in which the bent knee is stabilized and the tibia is pulled forward. Excessive forward translation with a soft endpoint suggests an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

A tear in the C-shaped cartilage cushions of the knee, causing joint-line pain, swelling, and mechanical catching. Treatment ranges from physical therapy to partial meniscectomy or repair.

The group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize and move the shoulder, especially in overhead activity. Tears cause weakness, night pain, and difficulty lifting the arm.

Painful compression of shoulder tendons and bursa beneath the acromion during arm elevation. It is treated first with activity change and exercise, with surgery reserved for failure of conservative care.

A condition of painful, progressive global stiffness of the shoulder with loss of both active and passive motion. It often resolves slowly over months to years and is associated with diabetes.

Compression of the median nerve at the wrist causing numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, often worse at night. Severe cases show thenar wasting and require surgical release.

A test measuring how fast and how strongly electrical signals travel along a nerve. It helps localize compression or injury and is often paired with electromyography.

A sideways curvature of the spine that may be structural or postural, often detected in adolescence. Severe progressive curves can impair breathing and may need bracing or surgical fusion.

Surgical joining of two or more vertebrae with bone graft and instrumentation so they heal into one segment. It is used for instability, deformity, and some degenerative conditions.

Compression of the nerve roots below the spinal cord causing saddle numbness, bladder or bowel dysfunction, and leg weakness. It is a surgical emergency requiring urgent decompression.

Reduced bone mass and disrupted bone architecture that increase fracture risk, especially at the hip, spine, and wrist. Diagnosis uses bone density testing and treatment includes calcium, vitamin D, and medication.

A fracture caused by a fall from standing height or less, typical of weakened bone. It signals underlying osteoporosis and warrants evaluation and treatment to prevent further fractures.

The process of explaining a proposed procedure's benefits, risks, alternatives, and likely outcomes so the patient can decide voluntarily. It must be documented before surgery and revisited if plans change.

A conversation in which clinician and patient compare treatment options together, weighing evidence against the patient's values and goals. It supports consent and is central to elective orthopedic choices.

A brief pause before an operation in which the team confirms patient identity, site, procedure, and key safety steps aloud. It is a core surgical safety practice that prevents wrong-site errors.

Infection developing in or near a surgical wound, ranging from superficial cellulitis to deep joint or bone involvement. Prevention includes skin preparation, antibiotic timing, and sterile technique.

Measures used after surgery or immobilization to prevent blood clots in leg veins and lungs. Options include early mobilization, compression devices, and anticoagulant drugs chosen by patient risk.