Lateral

Latin for side, sideways

Lavage

French for washing, rinsing; rinsing to remove marrow tissue from the bone in order to create space for bone cement and to allow it to penetrate

Leucopenia

An abnormal reduction in the number white blood cells

Ligament

This is a tough band of connective tissue that stabilises a joint, for example a joint ligament such as the cruciate ligament

Local anaesthetic

Local therapy where the place of application and the place that the therapy takes effect are identical, e.g. the use of ointments, bandages etc. in the case of diseases of the skin, wounds, bruises and pulled muscles

Locked joint

The joint can no longer be completely stretched or bent

Lumbago

A sudden, usually pricking pain in the small of the back, accompanied by the inability to move and hardened muscles

Lumbal

Latin: pertaining to the lumbar spine

Luxation

A dislocation; the dislocation of two joint surfaces from their normal position so that the joint can no longer be properly moved