DHA Physiotherapist key terms

The measurement of joint range of motion in degrees using a goniometer, with the axis placed over the joint and arms aligned to proximal and distal segments. Results guide goal setting and progress tracking.

A graded assessment of a muscle's capacity to generate force against gravity and manual resistance, typically scored 0 to 5. It documents strength deficits and informs exercise prescription.

The extent of movement available at a joint, described as active when produced by the patient's own muscles and passive when produced by the examiner. Loss of range signals joint, muscle, or neural restriction.

A characteristic proportion of restriction across a joint's movements when the joint capsule itself is the source of limitation. Recognising the pattern helps distinguish capsular from non-capsular pathology.

Small involuntary joint motions such as glide, roll, and spin that accompany active movement but cannot be performed voluntarily. Their assessment indicates joint play and guides mobilisation technique.

A provocative or structural manoeuvre used to support or refute a specific diagnosis, such as a ligament stress test or impingement sign. Results are interpreted alongside history and other findings, not in isolation.

The proportion of people who truly have a condition and are correctly identified by a test as positive. High sensitivity makes a test useful for ruling out a diagnosis when the result is negative.

The proportion of people without a condition who are correctly identified by a test as negative. High specificity makes a positive result useful for confirming a diagnosis.

The area of skin supplied by sensory fibres from a single spinal nerve root. Mapping altered sensation across dermatomes helps localise the level of a nerve root lesion.

The group of muscles innervated by a single spinal nerve root, tested by resisted isometric contraction. Weakness in a consistent myotomal pattern suggests root involvement rather than peripheral nerve injury.

Signs and symptoms arising from compression or irritation of a spinal nerve root, including pain radiating in a dermatomal pattern, sensory change, and myotomal weakness. It is distinguished from peripheral nerve entrapment by distribution.

A finding indicating damage to the central motor pathways above the anterior horn cell, such as spasticity, hyperreflexia, clonus, or a Babinski response. It contrasts with the flaccidity and hyporeflexia of lower motor neuron lesions.

Damage to the anterior horn cell or its peripheral axon, producing weakness, muscle wasting, fasciculation, reduced tone, and diminished reflexes in the affected muscles. It localises pathology to the final common pathway.

A velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone resulting from hyperexcitability of the stretch reflex after central nervous system damage. It can aid function or obstruct movement and is graded with scales such as the Modified Ashworth.

A series of rhythmic involuntary muscle contractions evoked by sudden passive stretch, most often tested at the ankle. Sustained clonus indicates exaggerated stretch reflexes from upper motor neuron pathology.

An ordinal clinical scale grading resistance to passive movement from zero, meaning no increase in tone, through grades reflecting increasing resistance up to rigidity. It is widely used to monitor spasticity interventions.

A fourteen-item performance measure scoring static and dynamic balance tasks out of fifty-six, with higher scores indicating better balance. It is used to quantify fall risk and track change in neurological and older populations.

A timed test in which the person rises from a chair, walks a short fixed distance, turns, returns, and sits down. It screens mobility and fall risk, with longer times indicating greater impairment.

The ability to maintain, achieve, or restore a stable body position through integration of sensory input, central processing, and motor responses. It underlies safe standing, reaching, and walking.

The sense of body position and movement derived from receptors in muscles, tendons, and joints. Impaired proprioception contributes to poor balance and altered movement control after injury or neurological disease.

The capacity of the nervous system to reorganise its structure and function in response to experience, practice, and injury. It provides the rationale for task-specific, repetitive rehabilitation after neurological damage.

Rehabilitation that practises the actual functional activities a person needs rather than isolated muscle actions. Repetition of meaningful tasks drives learning and transfer to daily life.

An intensive approach in which the less affected limb is restrained while the more affected limb is trained through repetitive functional tasks. It is used in hemiparesis to counter learned non-use.

Skilled passive movement of a joint applied at varying amplitudes and speeds to reduce pain or restore accessory motion. Graded techniques are selected according to irritability and the examination findings.

Hands-on treatment techniques including mobilisation, manipulation, and soft tissue work, usually combined with exercise and education. It aims to reduce pain and improve movement rather than replace active rehabilitation.

A muscle action that generates tension without changing muscle length or moving the joint. It is often used in early rehabilitation because it can build strength with minimal joint movement.

A muscle action in which tension develops while the muscle lengthens under load, such as lowering a weight slowly. Eccentric training is used for tendon loading and control of movement.

Strength training in which the load or demand is increased over time as the person adapts. The principle of overload underpins gains in muscle strength and endurance.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, a modality delivering low-amplitude current through surface electrodes to modulate pain. Parameters are selected by frequency and intensity, and evidence supports short-term symptom relief.

A condition in which applying an electrical modality could cause harm, such as over the heart, pregnant uterus, malignancy, impaired sensation, or metal implants in the treatment field. Screening prevents injury.

The application of high-frequency sound waves through a transducer to produce deep tissue heating and mechanical effects. It is used for soft tissue conditions with strict attention to dosage and contraindications.

The therapeutic use of cold to reduce tissue temperature, pain, and swelling after injury or exercise. Precautions include skin sensitivity and impaired circulation, and application time must be limited.

Strategies to reduce and prevent excess fluid accumulation, including elevation, compression, movement, and manual techniques. It is central in post-operative, lymphoedema, and immobility care.

Listening to internal body sounds, usually lung and heart, with a stethoscope to detect crackles, wheeze, or abnormal heart sounds. Findings guide airway clearance and exercise decisions in cardiopulmonary care.

Techniques that help a person mobilise and expectorate retained secretions, including positioning, breathing exercises, and assisted cough. Selection depends on the person's ability to cough and tolerate the work.

Chest physiotherapy techniques in which the therapist rhythmically claps or vibrates the chest wall to loosen secretions before coughing. They are used with positioning and are avoided in unstable or bleeding patients.

A submaximal exercise test measuring the distance walked in six minutes on a flat course, reflecting functional exercise capacity. Standardised instructions and safety monitoring improve reliability and comparability.

A rating scale for perceived exertion or breathlessness, commonly scored from six to twenty or zero to ten. It helps set and monitor exercise intensity according to the person's own experience.

A person's voluntary agreement to assessment or treatment after receiving understandable information about benefits, risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse. It must be documented and can be withdrawn at any time.

The professional duty to protect a patient's personal and health information from unauthorised disclosure. It is limited by legal requirements and by the need to prevent serious harm.

The boundaries of the knowledge, skills, and activities a clinician is authorised and competent to perform within their profession and jurisdiction. Working beyond it risks harm and professional sanction.