Gait Analysis is the structured assessment of how a person walks. It is a clinical concept and a diagnostic test that can be done at the bedside or in a motion lab. It describes walking patterns using observation and, when available, objective measurements. It is commonly used in orthopedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, and physical therapy.
Contracture is a loss of passive range of motion caused by structural shortening or stiffness of soft tissues around a joint. It is a clinical condition and concept commonly used in orthopedics, rehabilitation, neurology, burn care, and hand surgery. It describes a mechanical limitation, not just “tightness,” and it often reflects tissue remodeling over time. Clinicians use the term to communicate severity, likely tissue involvement, and functional impact.
Muscle Hypertrophy means an increase in skeletal muscle size, most often by enlarging individual muscle fibers. It is a physiology and rehabilitation concept rather than a single disease or procedure. It is commonly discussed in orthopedics, sports medicine, and physical therapy when describing training effects, recovery from injury, and muscle wasting. Clinically, it helps link loading (exercise or work demands) to functional outcomes like strength, stability, and mobility.
Muscle Atrophy means a decrease in muscle size and often muscle strength. It is a clinical concept and pathophysiologic finding rather than a single disease. It is commonly discussed in orthopedics, neurology, rehabilitation, and sports medicine. Clinicians use it to describe structural muscle loss that affects function, recovery, and injury risk.
ROM means “range of motion,” or how much a joint can move through its available arc. ROM is a clinical concept and a physical-exam measurement used in orthopedics and rehabilitation. It is commonly assessed at the bedside, in outpatient clinics, and in physical/occupational therapy settings. ROM helps describe function, track recovery, and communicate findings across clinicians.
Range of Motion is the amount a joint can move through its available arc in one or more directions. It is a clinical concept and a physical exam measurement rather than a diagnosis. It is commonly used in orthopedics, sports medicine, rehabilitation, rheumatology, and physical/occupational therapy. It helps describe mobility, function, and impairment in a standardized way.
Proprioception is the body’s ability to sense joint position and movement without looking. It is a neurophysiology concept that integrates sensory input from muscles, tendons, joints, and skin. In orthopedic practice, Proprioception is discussed when evaluating balance, coordination, joint stability, and neuromuscular control. It is commonly referenced in injury assessment and in rehabilitation after ligament, tendon, or joint injury.
Orthosis is an externally applied device that supports, aligns, prevents, or corrects musculoskeletal deformity, or improves function. It is a **device** (not a disease or procedure) used across orthopedics, rehabilitation, neurology, and sports medicine. An Orthosis may be temporary (e.g., after injury) or long-term (e.g., for chronic weakness or deformity). In practice, it is commonly discussed during evaluation of gait, joint stability, pain, and functional limitation.
A Brace is an external support device used to position, protect, or assist a body region. It is a medical device (an orthosis), not an anatomic structure or a diagnostic test. It is commonly used in orthopedics, sports medicine, rehabilitation, and postoperative care. It can be off-the-shelf or custom-made depending on the clinical goal and patient anatomy.
A Splint is a device used to support and limit motion of an injured or painful body part. It is an orthopedic **device** (a form of external immobilization) rather than a diagnosis. It is commonly used in emergency care, fracture clinics, sports medicine, and postoperative settings. It can be temporary (acute injury) or part of a longer treatment plan, depending on the case.