Glossary for Patients

A

Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint.  This can have a variety of causes, for example:
  • Bacterial or viral infections;
  • Rheumatism;
  • Metabolic disorders;
  • Autoimmune diseases.
Arthrosis
Arthrosis refers to joint disease associated with abrasion of the protective cartilage layer.
Differentiation is made between primary arthrosis, for which no cause can be found, and secondary arthrosis which is triggered by other factors or diseases. These include:
  • Inflammations (arthritis, rheumatism),
  • Hereditary malalignments (for example hip dysplasia),
  • Circulatory problems in the joint components (due to metabolic disorders or following accidents) and
  • Incorrect loading or overloading as a consequence of work or sporting activities.
The initially smooth cartilage loses its elasticity, although the sufferer is unaware of this, and the areas which are subject to the greatest loads become completely worn.  As a result, the joint surfaces rub against each other without the protective cartilage layer, the result is pain and reduced joint mobility.  Over the course of time, the bony parts of the joint become deformed due to these loads.
Any joint in the body can be affected by arthrosis.  Today, the large (and thus important) joints, such as the knee, hip and shoulder, can be replaced by artificial joints (endoprostheses). 
Coxarthrosis
Omarthrosis
Gonarthrosis


B

BoneCement
Bone cement is not actually cement but rather a fixation material comprising of two components.  The two components, liquid and powder, are mixed together shortly before being applied.  This produces PMMA, polymethyl methacrylate, which has a dough-like to liquid consistency.  Bone cement performs a number of functions simultaneously: 
  • It is used, for example, to fix endoprostheses: it is applied either on, or into the bones, and the prosthesis components are then fixed into place.  The bone cement cures within minutes and forms a secure bond between the prosthesis and the bone. 
  • It also transfers and distributes the mechanical forces acting on the artificial joint – it acts as a kind of buffer.
  • Furthermore, bone cement is used to stabilise fractured vertebral bodies using vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty:  The bone cement is injected into the fractured vertebral body using a hollow needle where it cures within minutes to bond the fractured parts and compensate for any missing bone substance.  The inner cast made of bone cement serves to stabilise the vertebral body. 
  • In addition, the bone cements acts in part as a carrier substance for antibiotics.  These are added to the bone cement to prevent possible infection of an endoprosthesis.


C

Coxarthrosis
Arthrosis of the hip joint.
CPM
A CPM device (continuous passive motion) passively moves the knee or shoulder joint after an endoprosthesis has been fitted.  A motorised rail is fitted to the affected arm or leg and, depending on the setting, moves the arm or leg to different degrees.
CT, Computed Tomography
Computed tomography refers to a special X-ray examination.  As opposed to conventional X-rays, with this technique a large number of X-ray images are taken from a variety of directions.  These can be converted on a computer to produce cross-sectional images which, in turn, can be converted to 3D images. 


E

Endoprosthesis
This refers to a replacement part made of extraneous material which is fitted inside the body. The prefix “endo” means “internal”.
Hip endoprosthesis
Knee endoprosthesis
Shoulder endoprosthesis


F

Femoral Neck Fracture
A femoral neck fractures refers to a fracture of the femur at its weakest point – at the femoral neck just below the femoral head.  Elderly people in particular face an increased risk of a femoral neck fracture when they fall as their bone structure is no longer as stable as it once was.  A hip endoprosthesis is often fitted after a femoral neck fracture.
Femoral Nerve
The femoral nerve arises from the spinal cord near the hip joint and runs to the leg where it branches out. It is responsible for movement of the hip-bending and knee-stretching muscles. It also supplies sensation to an area of skin comprising the inner and outer sides of the femur up to the inner malleolus.  If this nerve is damaged, a loss of sensation may be experienced in this region.  Furthermore, bending the hip joint and stretching the knee joint becomes more difficult.


G

Gonarthrosis
Arthrosis of the knee joint.


H

Hip Arthrosis
Arthrosis of the hip joint.
Hip Dysplasia
A congenital condition in which the acetabulum is too shallow and thus the femoral head can easily slip out of the joint (luxation).  If this is not corrected in young children, there is a significantly increased risk of the early development of coxarthrosis.
Hip Endoprosthesis
Artificial hip joint, which is based on the body’s natural joint components.  The prefix "endo" means “internal”.