Glossary of Terms

Callus

• A mass of exudate (accumulation of fluids in a wound; may contain serum, cellular debris, bacteria, and leukocytes) and connective tissue that forms around a break in a bone and is converted into bone in the healing of the break.

Cartilage

• A usually translucent somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for a small number of structures (as some joints, respiratory passages, and the external ear) is replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrate

Chondrocytes

• Cartilage cells

Chondroitin

• Nutritional supplement that may be used to improve the symptoms of pain and stiffness in some patients with osteoarthritis.

Clubfoot

• (TEV – Talipes Equinovarus) A common birth defect occurring in one of every 1,000 births causing the foot or feet to turn in.

Colonoscopy

• An outpatient procedure that allows a physician to view the inside of the large intestine to detect abnormalities such as ulcers, growths, bleeding, and other conditions.

Computer-assisted surgery

• A new surgical tool used in orthopaedic surgery that utilizes infrared cameras, digitized bone images and tracking devices to give surgeons increased visualization during the procedure; the benefits can include smaller scar, greater alignment and accuracy in hip replacement and knee replacement surgeries.

Condyle

• Rounded surface found at the end of the femur (thighbone); provides smooth movement of the knee joint.

Congenital

• Present at birth.

Congenital limb length discrepancies

• Birth defect that causes one or both limbs to be shorter than the other. May affect arms or legs.

Constitutional Short Stature

• (CSS), or Low Normal Stature (LNS) genetically shorter than national average, but not related to dwarfism. Usually have no bone deformity.

Continuous passive motion (CPM) machine

• Used on patients following knee replacement surgery, ligament reconstruction and fractures; assists in preventing stiffness to the joint by keeping the joint region stretched and warm; increases blood flow and elasticity; helps patients get their motion back faster.

Corticosteroids

• Steroid medication that is directly injected into an inflamed, painful arthritic joint.

CT scan

• Computed tomography scan; also called CAT scan; diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images, both horizontally and vertically, of the body; a CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including bones, muscles, fat and organs; CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays.

Cystoscopy

• An outpatient procedure that allows a physician to view the inside of your bladder and urethra to detect abnormalities such as stones, bleeding, infection, and other conditions.