KNEE Dictionary beginning with P

Essential knee terminology

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Click one of the letters above to go to the page of all terms beginning with that letter.

Pain score search for term: A scoring system used by doctors to 'measure' pain.
Partial knee replacement search for term: Same as 'unicompartmental knee replacement'.
Partial meniscectomy search for term: A partial meniscectomy is the removal of a part of a meniscus.
Passive extension search for term: A knee rehabilitation exercise (stretch).
Paste graft search for term: Grafting cartilage cells in the form of a tissue 'paste'.
Patella search for term: The patella is the kneecap, the small bone sitting over the front of the knee.
Patella alta search for term: In patella alta the kneecap rides too high up on the femur (thigh bone).
Patella baja search for term: Same as 'patella infera'.
Patella infera search for term: In patella infera the kneecap (patella) rides too low down the femur (thighbone).
Patellae search for term: Plural of 'patella'.
Patellar search for term: The adjective to describe things related to the patella.
Patellar alignment search for term: The position of the kneecap relative to the groove in the underlying femur bone into which it slides when the knee is bent and straightened.
Patellar fracture search for term: A patellar fracture is a traumatic break of the patella bone (knee cap).
Patellar instability search for term: Same as 'patellofemoral instability'.
Patellar malalignment search for term: Patellar malalignment is present when the kneecap runs too far to the side of the groove in the underlying femur bone into which it slides when the knee is bent and straightened.
Patellar mobilisations search for term: A knee rehabilitation exercise.
Patellar resurfacing search for term: Patellar resurfacing is a surgical procedure to replace the joint surface of the patella.
Patellar tendinitis search for term: Same as 'patellar tendinopathy'.
Patellar tendinopathy search for term: A disorder of the patellar tendon.
Patellar tendon search for term: The patellar tendon is the broad tendon under the kneecap, joining it to the tibia (shin).
Patellar tendon rupture search for term: A patellar tendon rupture is a complete breaking of the patellar tendon under the kneecap.
Patellar tilt search for term: When the patella is tilted to one side, generally the lateral (outer) side.
Patellar tilt test search for term: The patellar tilt test assesses the amount of patellar tilt which can be elicited by an examiner.
Patellectomy search for term: In the operation of 'patellectomy' the patella bone is cut out.
Patellofemoral search for term: The patella is the kneecap, the small bone sitting over the front of the knee. The femur is the thighbone. 'Patellofemoral' means that area of the junction of the kneecap and thighbone.
Patellofemoral dislocation search for term: The word 'dislocation' implies that the two bones of a joint totally leave their normal relationship, and the joint assumes an abnormal position. So patellofemoral dislocation refers to this happening in the joint between the patella (kneecap) and the femur (thighbone), where the patella jumps completely out of the walls of the groove in the femur bone, and the joint looks horribly deformed.
Patellofemoral instability search for term: Instability of a joint is when the bones of a joint move abnormally out of their normal relationship, and the person feels that the joint 'cannot be trusted' or 'gives way'. In patellofemoral instabilty it is the patella (kneecap) and its underlying femur bone (thighbone) that are problematic.
Patellofemoral joint search for term: The patellofemoral joint is the area of contact of the undersurface of the patella (kneecap) with the femur bone.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome search for term: A group of symptoms which tend to suggest that there is a problem in the joint between the kneecap (patella) and its underlying groove in the femur bone.
Patellofemoral resurfacing search for term: A partial knee replacement of the joint of patella and femur.
Patellofemoral subluxation search for term: The word 'subluxation' implies that the two bones of a joint temporarily and partially leave their normal relationship, and the joint nearly dislocates but then returns to the normal position again. So patellofemoral subluxation refers to this happening in the joint between the patella (kneecap) and the femur (thighbone), where the patella briefly jumps almost out of the walls of the groove in the femur bone, but then returns to its normal position.
Patellofemoral syndrome search for term: Same as Patellofemoral pain syndrome
PCL search for term: Abbreviation of 'posterior cruciate ligament'.
PCP search for term: Abbreviation of 'primary care physician'.
PE search for term: Same as 'pulmonary embolus'.
Peri-articular search for term: Close around the joint.
Periosteum search for term: The periosteum is the thin web-like covering of fibrous tissue that tightly covers bones.
Pes anserine bursa search for term: The pes anserine bursa is a sac (lined space) under the attachments of the pes anserine tendons on the inner aspect of the knee.
Pes anserine bursitis search for term: Inflammation of the pes anserine bursa.
Pes tendons search for term: This is an abbreviation of 'pes anserine' tendons.
PFPS search for term: Same as 'Patellofemoral pain syndrome'
PFS search for term: Abbreviation of 'patellofemoral syndrome'.
Physes search for term: Physes are the growth plates of bones.
Physical therapist search for term: A clinician specialising in rehabilitation.
Physiotherapist search for term: Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement and maximising potential.
Physis search for term: The growth plate near the end of bones, from which the new bone cells develop.
Pigmented villonodular synovitis search for term: An unusual condition of the lining inside the knee joint, where the synovial cells are abnormal - proliferating into both villi (fronds) and nodules, laden with a brown pigment.
Piriformis stretch search for term: A knee rehabilitation exercise (stretch).
Piriformis syndrome search for term: Buttock pain due to tightening or irritation of the piriformis muscle.
Pivot shift test search for term: The pivot shift test is a test to assess the integrity of both the anterior cruciate ligament and and also the other key structures that contribute to the knee's stability.
PKR search for term: Abbreviation of 'partial knee replacement'.
Placebo search for term: A placebo is a dummy drug.
PLC search for term: Abbreviation of 'posterolateral corner'.
Plica search for term: A plica is a ribbon-like fold of joint lining (synovium) which may be present in any knee as an embryological remnant.
Plica syndrome search for term: The 'plica syndrome' refers to a collection of associated symptoms which are caused by the nipping inside the knee of a fold of joint lining (the plica) between the bone of the femur (thigh bone) and the extensor structures of the knee (kneecap or the muscles above it).
Polymer search for term: Long chain molecule used for making plastics.
Popliteal search for term: Relating to the popliteal area, ie the recess at the back of the knee.
Popliteal cyst search for term: The recess at the back of the knee is referred to as the popliteal region. A popliteal cyst is a fluid-filled lump at the back of the knee. It is more commonly called a Baker's cyst (or Baker cyst).
Popliteal fossa search for term: The indented area at the back of the knee. Also called the popliteal space.
Popliteus muscle search for term: A small but important muscle at the back of the knee.
Popliteus tendinitis search for term: Popliteus tendinitis is an overuse condition, where the attachment of the popliteus tendon to the lateral femoral condyle (bone on the outer side of the knee) becomes painful.
Popliteus tendon search for term: The popliteus tendon is the tendon of the popliteus muscle, which is a muscle at the back of the knee. This is a small but important muscle that contributes to the stability of the knee.
Popliteus tendonitis search for term: Same as 'popliteus tendinitis'.
Portal search for term: A portal in the knee is the small cut made by the surgeon during arthroscopy, to allow the passage of the instruments.
Posterior search for term: Posterior means 'behind'.
Posterior cruciate ligament search for term: The posterior cruciate is one of the two cruciate ligaments which are important in stabilising the knee.
Posterior horn search for term: This refers to the posterior horn of the meniscus.
Postero-lateral search for term: This is a 'positional' word - meaning behind and to the outer aspect.
Postero-medial search for term: This is a 'positional' word - meaning behind and to the inner aspect.
Posterolateral corner search for term: The posterolateral corner of the knee is the region on the outer aspect, towards the back of the knee.
Pre-patellar bursa search for term: 'Pre-patellar' means 'in front of the kneecap. A bursa is a space enclosed by a slippy membrane, located in relation to joints where the bursa aids in joint movement.
Pre-patellar bursitis search for term: Pre-patellar bursitis (housemaid's knee) is inflammation in the pre-patellar bursa appearing as a tense swelling in front of the kneecap and discreet from the kneecap bone itself.
PRICE search for term: Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
PRICE and RICE search for term: Simple rules for managing the injured or inflamed knee.
Pridie procedure search for term: The Pridie Procedure is a procedure from the 1980s, where damaged joint surface is drilled with a fine drill, to enable stem cells to migrate from the bone marrow underneath and to cover the surface with new fibrocartilage cells.
Pridie rods search for term: Small carbon fibre rods produced in the '80s, and used in association with the Pridie procedure.
Primary care physician search for term: A family doctor.
Primary Repair search for term: A primary repair is a term used in ligament surgery, where the ligament is repaired rather than reconstructed.
Primary varus search for term: Varus alignment due to the underlying alignment of tibia and femur, without any any associated posterolateral ligament deficiency or abnormal lateral joint opening.
Prodromal search for term: In the early stages of an illness.
Prodrome search for term: The prodrome is the early phase of a medical problem, before the incident is fully apparent but early symptoms have started.
Progenitor cell search for term: A progenitor cell is a cell that can differentiate into different kinds of cells.
Proprioception search for term: Proprioception is the ability to sense the position and movement of a joint in space and it is a key component of balance and knee joint stability.
Proximal search for term: This a positional word - which refers to a position closer to the head.
Proximal realignment search for term: Proximal realignment procedures are those surgical procedures performed above the kneecap in an attempt to better align it in the groove of the underlying femur bone along which it makes contact during beding and straightening.
Pseudo search for term: Pseudo means 'false'.
PT search for term: Abbreviation of 'physical therapist'.
Pulmonary embolus search for term: A pulmonary embolus is a clot in the lungs.
PVNS search for term: Abbreviation of 'pigmented villonodular synovitis'.