Glossary of Terms

Septic or Infectious Arthritis

• Infection of the joint, causing pain, fever, chills, inflammation and loss of mobility in one or more joints.

Short stature

• Genetically shorter than national average. Averages change country to country.

Skeletal dysplasias

• A group of skeletal genetic diseases that causes abnormal growth of the bones. Dysplasia is an abnormal growth or development of cells, tissue or organs.

Slipped capital femoral epiphyses

• Most common hip deformity in adolescents and a primary cause of early onset osteoarthritis. Occurs more often in males, obesity or injury may be a cause.

Soft tissue

• Ligaments, tendons and muscles in the musculoskeletal system.

Soft tissue damage

• Soft tissue is any tissue that is not hard or bone, such as muscles, skin, tendons, ligaments, etc. Can be caused by injury or repeated stress on the soft tissue. 

Sprain

• Partial or complete tear of a ligament.

Strain

• Partial or complete tear of a muscle or tendon.

Stress fracture

• Bone injury caused by overuse.

SUPARTZ^◊ Joint Fluid Therapy

• A prescribed hyaluronan fluid, that is similar to the synovial fluid that occurs naturally in the knee; it is injected into the knee to help decrease pain and increase the cushioning and lubrication of the synovial fluid that has become osteoarthritic.

Synovial fluid

• Clear, sticky fluid that is released by the synovial membrane; acts as a lubricant for joints and tendons.

Synovial membrane

• Tissue that lines and seals the joint.

Synovitis

• Inflammation of the synovial membrane, the tissue that protects and lines the joint.

Synovium

• Fibrous envelope that produces a fluid to help decrease friction and wear in a joint.