Amputation: the surgical removal of a limb or other extremity including arm, leg, hand, finger etc.
Anaesthetic: a drug that creates insensitivity to pain (see general anaesthetic and local anaesthetic)
Antibodies: a protein in the immune system that identify and neutralise bacteria, viruses and other pathogens
Arthritis: a condition that causes inflammation and stiffness in the body’s joints (see osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
Arthroscopic keyhole surgery (Arthroscopy): keyhole surgery that uses a thin, metal tube containing a light and camera, known as an arthroscope. Footage from the camera transmits to a video screen or eyepiece, allowing surgeons to see what they’re performing surgery on
Aspiration: a biopsy procedure in which a fine needle is used to extract excess fluid. Used as a treatment option for wrist ganglions
Carpal tunnel: a narrow passage in the wrist made of small bones
Carpal tunnel syndrome: a condition causing numbness, tingling and occassionally pain in the hand and fingers, caused by the median nerve being compressed (see median nerve)
Cervical spondylosis: age related pain in the neck, caused by damage to the bones and tissues
Cubital tunnel: a space on the inside of the elbow allowing the passage of the ulnar nerve
Cubital tunnel syndrome: a condition causing numbness or tingling in the little and ring fingers, caused by the compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel (see ulnar nerve)
Cyst: a sac or cavity in the body containing excess fluid (see ganglion cyst and mucus cyst)
Degenerative: a type of disease which sees continuous deterioration and loss of function in organs or tissues
De Quervain’s disease: a condition which causes pain in the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist
Dermofasciectomy: a surgical treatment for Dupuytren’s disease where skin also involved in the condition is removed, and covered by a skin graft
Diabetes: a disorder that causes the blood sugar level to be too high
Dupuytren’s disease: a condition that causes a lump or band to appear on the hand’s palm, often painless but sometimes tender. Can also affect other parts of the body (see plantar fasciitis, peyronies disease and garrods pads)
Fasciectomy: a surgical treatment for Dupuytren’s disease in which the diseased area under the skin is removed as much as safely possible
Finger fusion: a surgical procedure to remove the damaged ends of a finger joint and fuse the bones back together
Finkelstein test: a diagnostic test used to determine if a patient has De Quervain’s disease (see De Quervain’s disease)
Fracture: a break to a bone in the body
Ganglion cyst: a swelling filled with fluid found near a joint or tendon
Garrod’s pads: a similar condition to Dupuytren’s disease that occurs on the back of the knuckles of the fingers (see Dupuytren’s disease)
General anaesthetic: an anaesthetic that affects the whole body, making it insensitive to pain and usually causing loss of consciousness (see anaesthetic and local anaesthetic)
Immune system: a system in the body that produces resistance to infections and viruses
Incision: in surgery, a cut made into the flesh or skin
Inflammation: when part of the body becomes swollen, hot, reddened and sometimes painful
Joint: where two parts of the human skeleton are joined together
Joint fusion: a surgical procedure in which two bones are fused together, replacing a damaged/worn away joint
Ligament: tissue that connects bones together at a joint
Local anaesthetic: anaesthetic that affects only one specific part of the body (see anaesthetic and general anaesthetic)
Mallet finger: a tendon injury that causes the end of a finger to bend inward towards the palm
Median nerve: a nerve in the arm that runs through the carpal tunnel
Medicolegal: an area of expertise which involves aspects of both medical and legal
Metacarpal: five bones located in the hand
Mucus cyst: a fluid filled swelling in the mouth that occurs when the salivary glands become plugged with mucus
Needle aponeurotomy: a treatment for Dupuytren’s disease in which cords in the palm are released with a needle to allow the fingers to straighten
Orthopaedic: a branch of surgery that relates to the musculoskeletal system
Osteoarthritis: arthritis caused by the damage and wear of the joints’ cartilage lining
Paediatric: a branch of medical care that specialises in the conditions of infants, children and adolescents
Peyronie’s disease: a condition similar to Dupuytren’s disease that occurs in the tissue of the penis (see Dupuytren’s disease)
Phalanges: bones which make up fingers and toes
Plantar fasciitis: a condition that causes pain in the heel and bottom of the foot
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy: a syndrome that causes pain, tenderness and swelling of a limb or extremity
Rheumatoid arthritis: arthritis that occurs when the immune system affects the body’s joints
Rheumatology: a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and management of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions
Rugby jersey finger: an injury caused by the sudden hyperextension of a finger (also known as jersey finger or sweater finger)
Scapholunate ligament: a ligament in the wrist that connects the scaphoid and lunate bones
Scaphoid: a carpal bone in the wrist, below the thumb
Segmental fasciectomy: a treatment for Dupuytren’s disease in which a section of the cord in the palm is excised
Splint: a piece of straight material used to support and hold together a broken bone
Sprain: an injury caused by the twisting of ligaments, causing pain and swelling but not disclocation
Steroid injection: a treatment that can reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritis at a joint
Synovial fluid: a fluid found in synovial joints that reduces friction between cartilage
Synovium: soft tissue that lines the body’s joints
Tendon: a flexible cord of tissue that attaches muscle to bone
TFCC: the triangular fibrocartilage complex, a structure on the little finger side of the wrist that supports the carpal bones
Thyroid: a gland in the neck that secretes hormones related to metabolism
Tissue: material which makes up the human body
Transverse carpal ligament: a ligament related to the carpal tunnel
Trigger finger: a condition caused by a tendon injury that causes a finger to jerk or snap when the hand is extended
Watson’s test: a diagnostic test used to determine if a patient has instability between the scaphoid and lunate bones in the wrist