CAD

Abbreviation for «computer aided design»; computer-supported design of an article, e.g. an artificial joint (CAD prosthesis)

Caisson disease

A decompression sickness occurring in divers. If a diver resurfaces too fast bubbles of nitrogen are formed in the blood that clog the blood vessels and can cause various abnormalities, pain and paralysis

Calcium

In important element in building up the hard substance of the bones

Capsula

Latin: capsule, joint capsule

Caput

Latin: head, joint head, femoral head

Carpal tunnel syndrome

A sign of pressure; the nerve that runs through a tendon channel of the muscles of the lower arm close to the wrist (known as the carpal tunnel) is pressed together by the swelling of the synovial membrane. The pressure on the nerve causes pain, burning and a pricking sensation in the region of the hand affected

Cartilage

Vitreous coating of joint-forming bone surfaces, soft, elastic, resistant to pressure, watery

CAS

Abbreviation for «computer aided surgery»; operations where the computer is used as a special aid, e.g. planning robots, navigation

Catheter

Tube for draining off body fluid, e.g. bladder catheter to drain off urine from the bladder

CCD angle

Abbreviation for «caput-collum diaphysis angle», i.e. the angle between the femoral head and femoral neck and the shaft of the femur; in adults this is usually about 125-130°

Cement

A self-hardening, filling substance between two or several components e.g. bricks, but also between bone and implant

Ceramics

A group of substances with a high degree of stability and a high melting temperature. Ceramic raw materials often consist of compounds of metals and non-metals

Chiropractics

This means the use of manual techniques, especially in the case of certain functional abnormalities («resetting»).

Chondropathia patellae

A cartilage degeneration at the kneecap, often as the result of mechanical damage

Chondroprotective agents

Medicines for treating the cartilage in the case of diseases of the joints

Chromium

Metal, chemical formula: Cr, is an important part of many metal implants

Chrondropathy

A disease of the cartilage (usually caused by wear and tear)

Chronic

Always present, proceeding slowly, developing gradually

Clavicula

Shinbone

Co

Chemical formula for Cobalt

Cobalt

Metal, chemical formula: Co; is the main component in many metal implants

Collapse

Collapse of the circulation, known in medical circles as «shock»

Collum

Latin: the neck, e.g. femoral neck (collum femoris)

Commotio cerebri

This is a form of brain concussion. It is caused by force being applied to the head and can lead to disturbance of consciousness and a dazed state

Comminuted fracture

This

is a fracture where the bone is crushed into small pieces

Compact bone

Cortical bone, the firm bone around the shaft of long bones

Compression dressing

Dressing with specially applied pressure,used, for example, in the case of bruises or phlebitis

Computer tomography

X-ray procedure where a computer calculates and displays very fine sectional images of a region of the body, abbreviation: CT

Concave

Curving inwards, hollow

Condylus

Joint projection, joint head

Conservative therapy

Treatment not involving surgery

Contra

Prefix meaning against, opposite

Contraindication

All factors that do not permit the administration of a certain drug or medicine

Contracture

Forced position of a joint through the permanent contraction of certain muscles, e.g. due to the shrinkage of the joint capsule or the deformity of joint surfaces

Contusion

This is the name given to a bruise, usually due to the application of force such as a push or a blow, without injury to the skin. There is bruising to the tissue below the skin and sometimes to the muscles as well, often with haematoma

Conus

Anchoring principle in endoprosthetics: the inner conus is locked onto the outer conus, e.g. linking the head and neck of a hip prosthesis

Convex

Curved towards the outside

Corrective osteotomy

Surgical correction of incorrect positioning of the joint-forming bones

Cortical

Of the cortical bone, belonging to the cortical bone

Corticalis bone

Firm bone tissue in long bones, corresponds to the compact bone, cortical bone in contrast to the spongy bone

Corticoides

Hormones, known as steroid hormones (the body's own message substances messenger substances) inhibiting inflammation and with anti-allergic effects, e.g. cortisone

Coxa

Latin: the hip

Coxarthrosis

A form of arthrosis, i.e. degenerative wear and tear of the hip

Coxitis

Acute and sudden inflammation of the hip joint

cP

Abbreviation for chronic polyarthritis, i.e. rheumatism of the joints

CPM

Abbreviation for continuous passive motion; it means the permanent, post-operative movement of a joint through motorised, external aids.

Cr

Chemical formula for chromium

Cruciate ligament

Ligament connection at the centre of the knee joint, front and rear; the cruciate ligaments prevent the femur from sliding backwards and forwards and over the lower leg

CT

Abbreviation for computer tomography

Cubitus

Elbow

Custom-made

In this context, a custom-made hip prosthesis, for example

Cutaneous

Of the skin, e.g. subcutaneous: «under the skin» (as with an injection)

Cutis

Skin

Cyst

A blister, a cavity, a hollow, e.g. bone cysts in the development of arthrosis

Cytostatics

These are substances that considerably delay or prevent the division of the cells. They are mainly used in cancer therapy, but also in various, advanced stages of chronic polyarthritis