Abduction

The movement of limbs away from the central axis of the body

Abrasion

Very tiny parts (wear particles) coming away from the surfaces of an (artificial) joint when it is moving or exposed to strain

Acute

Occurring rapidly, suddenly, severely

Acetylsalicylacid

(Aspirin) is a pain-killer that inhibits inflammation and lowers fever

Adduction

The movement of a limb towards the median line in the body

AE

Abbreviation for «Arbeitgemeinschaft für Endoprothetik»

Agonist

Muscle that works in the same direction of motion

AHB

Abbreviation for "Anschlussheilbehandlung" (clinical rehabilitation treatment), i.e. in-patient treatment after surgery in a specially equipped clinic; the costs are borne by the state pension funds such as the «Landesversicherungsanstalt» (LVA) (Land social insurance office) or the «Bundesversicherungsanstalt für Angestellte» (BfA)(Federal Social Insurance Office for Salaried Employees)

Allergy

A sensitive and unusual reaction of the organism and its immune system to alien substances such as metals, medicines, pollen etc.

Allo(arthro)plastics

Replacement of the body's own (joint) tissue by artificial material, e.g. an artificial limb

Alloy

A combination of various metals with considerably improved properties as compared with pure metals. Thus all hip shafts are made of alloys

Aluminium oxide

A ceramic material used to make ball heads and cup inserts, chemical formula: Al₂ O₃

Anaesthetics

Making numb, deadening (nerves), removing feeling of pain

Analgesia

Pain relief

Analgetica

Medicines that relieve pain

Analgeticum

Pain-killer

Anaemia

An abnormal reduction in the number of red blood cells

Anamnesis

A patient's medical history

Antagonist

A resisting or counteracting muscle

Ante-

Prefix meaning «before», «in front of», «premature»

Anteflexion

Moving or bending forwards

Antetorsion

Forward rotation, e.g. forward rotation of the neck of the femur via-`s-vis the knee axis

Anteversion

Forward inclination, e.g. forward positioning of the hip cup

Anti-

Prefix meaning «against»

Antibiotic

Medicine to prevent inflammation caused by germs (e.g. bacteria)

Antihistaminica

Medicines for allergic reactions

Antiphlogistica

Medicines to inhibit inflammation, usually relieving pain and lowering fever as well. These frequently used medicines are also known as nonsteroid antiphlogistica as they differ from hormones that inhibit inflammation such as cortisone and corticoide, both chemically and in terms of their effects. They relieve pain and swelling, thus giving greater mobility to a joint

Antipyretica

Medicines that lower fever, usually relieving pain and inhibiting inflammation as well

Antirheumaticum

A medicine for rheumatism that relieves pain and inhibits inflammation

Apatit

Mineral compound, as found in bones

Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Endoprothetik

Scientific association for research and teaching in the field of artificial joints

Arrest of blood supply

The temporary interruption of the flow of blood to a limb, e.g. in the case of an injury to an artery

Arthralgy

Means a pain in the joint

Arthritis

This is an inflammation of the joint. It can attack a single joint (monarticular) or several joints (polyarthritis) (see chronic polyarthritis, pcP).

Arthritis psoriatica

The simultaneous occurrence of certain skin phenomena (psoriasis) and polyarthritis

Arthritis urica

An inflammation attacking certain joints and leading to gout

Arthrodesis

The surgical stiffening of a joint

Arthron

Greek for «joint»

Arthropathy

Usually means a disease of the joints, usually arthrosis caused by wear and tear

Arthroplastics

Correction or restoration of a joint through surgery

Arthroscopic release

This means the release of the knee disc from excessive stiffness

Arthrosis

A degenerative disease of the joints caused by wear and tear causing a painful change that curtails its functions; it often occurs after many years of engaging in certain forms of highly powered sport

Arthroscopy

Examination of the inside of the joint with a special optical instrument: to put it in simple terms: a thin tube with a lamp and a magnifying glass (arthroscope)

Articular

Concerning a joint

Articulation

The supple point of connection between bones, joint pair

Asepsis

Sterility, the state of being free of germs, i.e. without bacteria, fungus etc., for example on hands and instruments that come into contact with a wound

Aseptic

Germ-free, not prone to inflammation

Auto-

Prefix for: self, of one's own accord, own

Autologue

Belonging to one's own body, e.g. the transplantation of the body's own bone tissue is known as autologue bone transplantation