This article includes a list of abbreviations that physical therapists often use. Learning them will help you feel more clear about your recovery plan. That said, if ever you feel confused when talking to your doctor, don’t be afraid to speak up.
Types of Abbreviations
Abbreviations are used for many reasons in physical therapy:
Assistive device abbreviations: These abbreviations are used for various types of devices that help you walk and move about, such as crutches and canes. Range of motion abbreviations: Range of motion refers to how much a joint or body part can move in a range of directions. Therapeutic modalities abbreviations: These treatments are used to help improve blood flow, muscle contractions, and inflammation. Exercise equipment abbreviations: Physical therapists often use abbreviations that are specific to their clinic. For example, some McKenzie-trained physical therapists use the term REIL, which stands for repeated extension in lying. REIL is a kind of press-up exercise.
Physical Therapy Abbreviations (A-Z)
Use this resource to review the most common abbreviations in physical therapy and their meanings:
50%WB: 50 percent weight bearing
A
ā: Before AAROM: Active assistive range of motion ABD: Abduction ACJ: Acromioclavicular joint ACL: Anterior cruciate ligament AD: Assistive device ADD: Adduction ADL: Activities of daily living AFO: Ankle foot orthosis (used to treat foot drop) AKA: Above-knee amputation Amb: Ambulation AROM: Active range of motion
B
B: BilateralBID: Twice a dayBKA: Below knee amputation
C
C: With CGA: Contact guard assist CKC: Closed kinetic chain CP: Cardiopulmonary CPM: Continuous passive motion CTx: Cervical traction
D
DB: DumbbellDF: Dorsiflexion (of the ankle)DJD: Degenerative disc disease
E
ER: External rotation Estim or ES: Electrical stimulation EV: Eversion (of the ankle) Ex: Exercise EXT: Extension (or a slash mark is used to signify extension)
F
FIM score: Functional independence level FLEX: Flexion (or simply a check mark is used to signify flexion) FWB: Full weight bearing Fx: Fracture
G
GHJ: Glenohumeral joint
H
H/o: History ofHEP: Home exercise programHOB: Head of bedHoriz ABD: Horizontal abductionHoriz ADD: Horizontal adductionHP: Hot packsHVGS: High voltage galvanic stimulationHx: History
I
I: Independent Inv: Inversion Ionto: Iontophoresis IR: Internal Rotation ITB: Iliotibial band IV: Inversion (of the ankle)
K
KAFO: Knee ankle foot orthosis
L
LAQ: Long arc quad LBQC: Large base quad cane (also known as a wide base quad cane—WBQC) LCL: Lateral collateral ligament LE: Lower extremity LOA: Level of assist LP: Lumbar puncture acutely LTG: Long term goals
M
MCL: Medial collateral ligament MFR: Myofascial release MHP: Moist hot pack Mm: Muscle MMT: Manual muscle test Mobs: Mobilization
N
NDT: Neuro developmental technique (also known as Bobath technique)NMES: Neuromuscular electrical stimulationNWB: Non-weight bearing
O
OKC: Open kinetic chainOOB: Out of bed
P
- PCL: Posterior cruciate ligament PF: Plantar flexion Pfin: Paraffin bath PFS: Patellofemoral syndrome Phono: Phonophoresis PMHx: Past medical history PNF: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation PRO: Pronation PROM: Passive range of motion PT: Physical therapist Pt.
- Patient PTA: Physical therapy assistant PUW: Pick up walker PWB: Partial weight bearing
Q
Q: Every QC: Quad cane QD: Every day QID: Four times a day
R
RC: Rotator cuff RD: Radial deviation (a motion of the wrist) RICE: Rest, ice, compression, elevation ROM: Range of motion Rot: Rotation RW: Rolling walker Rx: Treatment
S
S: Without (sans) SAQ: Short arc quad SB: Side bending SBA: Stand by assist SBQC: Small base quad cane (also known as a narrow base quad cane—NBQC) SC: Straight cane SLR: Straight leg raise STM: Soft tissue mobilization SUP: Supination SW: Standard walker
T
TB: Theraband TENS: Transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation THA: Total hip arthroplasty Ther Ex: Therapeutic exercise TID: Three times a day TKA: Total knee arthroplasty TLSO: Thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis TM: Treadmill Trxn: Traction TTWB: Toe touch weight bearing
U
UBE: Upper body ergometer UD: Ulnar deviation (a motion of the wrist) UE: Upper extremity US: Ultrasound
W
W/c: WheelchairWBAT: Weight bearing as toleratedWC: WheelchairWFL: Within functional limitWNL: Within normal limitsWW: Wheeled walker
Summary
Some abbreviations make more sense than others. For example, it makes sense that FLEX is short for flexion. On the other hand, it makes much less sense why C is short for with.
Doctors get this. They don’t expect you to know what every medical term and its abbreviation means. So if you don’t understand something that pertains to your care, ask them to explain.
A Word From Verywell
Your physical therapist doesn’t just provide therapy. They also want to help educate you so you can take an active role in your rehab. Understanding the basics of PT-related terms can help you gain a fuller understanding of your rehab. As always, if you have any questions about your therapy, speak with your PT.
