Glossary of Orthotic Terms

Achilles Tendon

The group of tendons that insert on the calcaneus near the point of the hock (called also common calcaneus tendon) 

Ambulatory

walking or able to walk

Arthrodesis

Surgical fusion of a joint

Biomechanical

 The science that deals with the effects of forces on a living organism, especially the effects of gravity

Brachial Plexus

Nerve plexus that give off the principal nerve to shoulder and forelimbs

Bulbous

having the form or nature of a bulb

Calcaneus

The irregular quadrangular bone at the tarus
(called also heel bone)

Carpus / Carpal Joint

Six-eight bones that make up the wrist joint in dogs and cats

Carpal Hyperextension

Carpal joint extension beyond the normal limit

Cervical

Pertaining to the head or to the cervix

Chronic

Lasting long time

Congenital

Present at and exiting from the time of birth

Contractures

Abnormal shortening of the muscles tissue, rendering the muscle highly resistant to stretching

Cranial Cruciate Ligament 

A ligament in the knee that attaches the upper part of the leg to the lower part of the leg (CCL/ACL) 

Distal

The furthest to a point of reference, as a to a center or median or to the point of attachment or origin

Functional

Of or having to do with function or functions

Gait cycle

The manner or the style of locomotion

Hip Dysplasia 

Degenerative disease of the hip joint, lax joint, weak rump

Lateral

Pertain to or situated away from the midline

Luxation

Dislocation

Medial

Pertain to or situated towards the midline

Metatarsal

Five bones of the paw between the toes and tarsal joint

Patella Luxation

Knee cap dislocation

Pathology

The branch of veterinary science treating of the essential nature of disease, especially of the changes in the body tissue and organs, which cause or are caused by disease (Pathologically)

Postoperative

After surgery

Prophylactic

Tending to ward off disease; pertaining to prophylaxis

Prophylaxis

Prevention of disease; preventive treatment

Proximal

Nearest to a point of reference, as a to a center or median or to the point of attachment or origin

Radial

Forearm bone

Rehabilitative

Of or having to rehabilitation

Subluxating

Partial dislocation

Ulna

Forearm bone

Tarsus / Tarsal Joint 

The hock or ankle made up of seven bones

Tarsal Hyperflexion

Tarsal joint extension beyond the normal limit

Thermoforming Plastic

Solid base plastic requiring heat for moulding applications

Thermosetting Plastic 

Liquid base plastics that require heat/chemicals to cure and become hard

Traumatic

Pertaining to, resulting from, or causing trauma

Wobblers

Compression of the cervical spinal cord caused by caudal cervical vertebral malformation-malarticulation or instability