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Decoding Physical Therapy Medical Abbreviations

Physical therapy medical abbreviations are shorthand notations healthcare professionals use to communicate efficiently and accurately in documentation, prescriptions, and patient records within physical therapy. These abbreviations streamline communication, aiding in the quick and precise exchange of critical information among therapists, doctors, nurses, and other medical staff.

Within this domain, these abbreviated terms serve as a common language, facilitating swift and accurate conveyance of critical information. From fundamental abbreviations like PT (Physical Therapy) and ROM (Range of Motion) to more specialized terminologies such as PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), each abbreviation plays a pivotal role in documentation, treatment plans, and progress assessments.

Comprehending these abbreviations is not only beneficial for healthcare providers but is equally empowering for patients. A grasp of these abbreviations enables patients to actively engage in discussions regarding their treatment, interpret reports, and grasp the intricacies of their therapeutic journey.

Our comprehensive guide aims to demystify this unique language, equipping practitioners and patients with the knowledge to navigate and comprehend physical therapy medical abbreviations effortlessly. Let's dive into this linguistic landscape, empowering all involved parties to communicate effectively and contribute meaningfully to the pursuit of improved health and wellness through physical therapy.

Now that you've grasped the benefits of these abbreviations, let's delve into Short Forms:

A

ADL Activities of Daily Living
AFO Ankle-Foot Orthosis
AROM Active Range of Motion
ASIA American Spinal Injury Association
APTA American Physical Therapy Association
ABD Abduction
ACJ Acromioclavicular joint
ACL Anterior cruciate ligament
AD Assistive device
ADD Adduction
ADL Activities of daily living
AKA Above-knee amputation
Amb Ambulation
AROM Active range of motion
AAROM Active assistive range of motion
AMA Against Medical Advice

B

B Bilateral
BID Twice a Day
BKA Below Knee Amputation
B/L Bilateral
BMI Body Mass Index
BOS Base of Support
BPM Beats Per Minute
BAPS Biomechanical Ankle Platform System
Bwd Backward

C

C With
CGA Contact guard assist
CKC Closed kinetic chain
CPM Continuous passive motion
CTx Cervical traction
cerv Cervical
CF Cystic Fibrosis
C/o Complains Of
CNS Central Nervous System
CP Cold Pack, Cerebral Palsy
C/S Cervical Spine
CTr Costo-Transverse
CV Costo-Vertebral
CVA Cerebrovascular accident
C-Collar Cervical collar
CAM Boot control ankle motion boot
CMC carpometacarpal (joint)
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

D

DB Dumbbell
DF Dorsiflexion (of the ankle)
D/C Discharge
DDD Degenerative Disc Disease
DIP Distal Interphalangeal Joint
DJD Degenerative Joint Disease
DOB Date of Birth
DOI Date of Injury
DOS Date of surgery
DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis
Dx Diagnosis
DC Chiropractor
DME Durable medical equipment
DMD Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

E

ER External Rotation
Estim or ES Electrical Stimulation
ESWT Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
EV Eversion (of the ankle)
Ex Exercise
EXT Extension
EEG Electroencephalogram
EOB Edge of bed

F

FIM score Functional Independence Level
FLEX Flexion
FWB Full Weight Bearing
Fx Fracture
FWW Front-wheeled walker
FES Functional Electrical Stimulation
FCR Flexor Carpi Radialis
FCU Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
F/u Follow up
fwd forward

G

GHJ Glenohumeral Joint

H

H/o History of
HEP Home Exercise Program
Horiz ABD Horizontal Abduction
HOB Head of bed
Horiz ADD Horizontal Adduction
HP Hot Packs
HVGS High Voltage Galvanic Stimulation
Hx History
HKAFO Hip-knee-ankle foot orthosis

I

I Independent
IFC Interferential Current
INF Inflammation
Inv Inversion
Ionto Iontophoresis
IR Internal Rotation
ITB Iliotibial Band
ITBS Iliotibial Band Syndrome
IV Inversion (of the ankle)
Inv Inversion
IE Initial evaluation

K

KAFO knee ankle foot orthosis

L

L Left
LTG Long-Term Goals
LPT Licensed Physical Therapist
LAQ long-arc quad
LBQC Large-base quad cane
LE Lower extremity
LCL Lateral collateral ligament
LOA Level of assist
LOS Length of stay
LP Leg press
LSO Lumbosacral orthosis
LUE Left upper extremity

M

MC Metacarpal
MSK Musculoskeletal
MDT Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy
MCL Medial Collateral Ligament
MCP Metacarpophalangeal
Mobs Mobilization
MFR Myofascial Release
MHP Moist Hot Pack
Mm Muscle
MMT Manual Muscle Test
MT Metatarsal
mTBI Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
MVA Motor Vehicle Accident
MWM Mobilization With Movement

N

NDT Neuro-Developmental Technique (Bobath Technique)
NMES Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
NWB Non-Weight Bearing
NSAIDS Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
NAGS Natural Apophyseal Glides
NBQC Narrow Based Quad Cane
NCV Nerve conduction velocity
NIDDM Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
N/T Numbness and tingling or not tested
NF No Fault
NMR Neuromuscular re-education
NS No Show

O

OA Osteoarthritis
OTR Registered Occupational Therapist
OT Occupational Therapist/Therapy
OOB Out Of Bed
OKC Open Kinetic Chain
OCS Orthopedic Certified Specialist

P

PWB Partial Weight Bearing
Pfin Paraffin bath
PUW Pick Up Walker
PTA Physical Therapy Assistant/Physical Therapist Assistant
Pt. Patient
PT Physical Therapist
PIP Proximal Interphalangeal Joint
PROM Passive Range of Motion
Phono Phonophoresis
PCL Posterior Cruciate Ligament
p After
PCS Pediatric Certified Specialist
PF Plantar Flexion
PFS Patellofemoral Syndrome
PMHx Past Medical History
PNF Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
PRO Pronation

Q

QID Four Times A Day
Q Every
QC Quad Cane
QD Every Day
Quad Quadriceps
QS Quadriceps Set

R

RA Rheumatoid Arthritis
RC Rotator Cuff
ROM Range of Motion
Rot Rotation
RTW Return to work
RSD Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
r/o Rule out
RGO Reciprocating Gait Orthosis
Req/d. Required
Reps. Repetitions
Rehab. Rehabilitation
Rec’d Received
Re Recheck
Rx Treatment
RW Rolling Walker
RPT Registered Physical Therapist
RICE Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
RD Radial Deviation

S

STG short-term goals
SPT Student P.T.
SPC Single point cane
S/p Status post
SNAGS Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides
S/L Sidelying
Sh Shoulder
SI, SIJ Sacroiliac joint
SCI Spinal cord injury
SW Standard walker
SBQC Small base quad cane
SUP Supination
STM Soft Tissue Mobilization
SOB Shortness of Breath
SLR Straight Leg Raise
SC Straight Cane
SBA Stand-By Assist
SB Side Bending
SAQ Short Arc Quad
S Without (Sans)
(S) Supervision

T

Total A Total assist
TB Theraband
TENS Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation
TFL Tensor Fascia Latae
THA Total Hip Arthroplasty
Ther Ex Therapeutic Exercise
TID Three Times a Day
TKA Total Knee Arthroplasty
TKR Total Knee Replacement
TLSO Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Orthosis
TM Treadmill
Trxn Traction
TTWB Toe Touch Weight Bearing
Tx Treatment
TDWB Touch-down weight bearing
THR Total Hip Replacement
TIA Transient ischemic attack
TLIF Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion
TMJ Temporomandibular joint

U

UB Upper body
UQ Upper Quadrant
US UltraSound
UE Upper Extremity
UD Ulnar Deviation
UBE Upper Body Ergometer

W

WNL Within Normal Limit
WCS Women’s Certified Specialist
w/ With
4WW Four-wheeled walker
WW Wheeled walker
WNL Within normal limits
WHO Wrist hand orthosis
WFL Within functional limits
WC (or w/c) Wheelchair
WBQC Wide-base quad cane
WBAT Weight bearing as tolerated

Exploring this guide might have provided you with a valuable resource to comprehend and actively engage in your personal path towards well-being. With a grasp of these abbreviations, you're more prepared to interpret progress reports, participate in informed conversations with healthcare providers, and champion your own health.

It's crucial to recognize that these abbreviations aren't just arbitrary combinations of letters; they symbolize the expertise, commitment, and collaborative work of healthcare experts dedicated to improving lives. Understanding this language empowers you to take an active role in your care, cultivating stronger connections and mutual understanding between you and your healthcare team.

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