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Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Glossary

105 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026

PNF PNF

Intermediate Technical IVT

Abbreviation for Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation; a technique combining movement patterns and muscle contractions to improve strength, coordination, and flexibility in rehabilitation.

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Physiatric Prognosis

Intermediate Technical IVT

A specialist's forecast of the expected level of functional recovery for a rehabilitation patient, based on diagnosis, b...

Technical Term Full entry →

Physiatric Rehabilitation Plan

Intermediate Formal IVT

A structured, goal-oriented document outlining the full course of rehabilitative interventions prescribed by a physiatri...

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Physiatric Rounds

Intermediate Technical IVT

Structured interdisciplinary team meetings in which physiatrists, therapists, nurses, and case managers review each reha...

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Physiatrist

Intermediate Technical IVT

A physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), focused on restoring function and quality of li...

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Physiatry

Intermediate Formal IVT

The medical specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation, concerned with diagnosing and treating conditions that af...

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Plegia

Intermediate Technical IVT

Complete loss of voluntary motor function in the affected body region, contrasted with 'paresis,' which denotes partial...

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PM&R

Basic Technical IVT

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; the medical specialty focused on diagnosing, treating, and managing conditions tha...

Abbreviation Full entry →

PNF

Intermediate Technical IVT

Abbreviation for Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation; a technique combining movement patterns and muscle contracti...

Abbreviation Full entry →

Pressure Injury

Intermediate Formal IVT

Localised damage to the skin and underlying soft tissue, usually over a bony prominence, caused by sustained pressure, s...

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Proprioception

Intermediate Technical IVT

The body's sensory ability to perceive its own position, movement, and equilibrium in space, which is a key target of re...

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A stretching and strengthening technique that uses patterns of movement combined with manual resistance and specific mus...

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Prosthesis

Intermediate Technical IVT

An artificial device that replaces a missing body part, typically a limb, used to restore functional ability and appeara...

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Quadriplegia

Intermediate Technical IVT

Complete or near-complete paralysis of all four limbs, resulting from injury or disease affecting the cervical spinal co...

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A formal clinical document produced by a physiatrist that evaluates a patient's impairments, functional status, and reha...

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Rehabilitation Potential

Intermediate Semi-formal IVT

A clinician's assessment of a patient's capacity to benefit meaningfully from structured rehabilitation intervention, of...

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Residual Limb

Basic Formal IVT

The portion of an amputated extremity that remains after surgical amputation; the preferred clinical and editorial term,...

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ROM

Basic Technical IVT

Abbreviation for Range of Motion; the measurable degree of movement available at a joint, used extensively in PM&R asses...

Abbreviation Full entry →

Spasticity

Intermediate Technical IVT

A velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone resulting from an upper motor neuron lesion, commonly addressed in rehabili...

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Spinal Cord Injury

Intermediate Technical IVT

Damage to the spinal cord resulting in partial or complete loss of motor, sensory, or autonomic function below the level...

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Spinal Orthosis

Intermediate Technical IVT

An external device applied to the trunk to immobilise, support, correct, or offload segments of the spinal column during...

Technical Term Full entry →

TENS

Basic Technical IVT

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation; a non-invasive modality delivering low-voltage electrical current through t...

Abbreviation Full entry →

Tetraplegia

Intermediate Technical IVT

The internationally preferred term for paralysis of all four limbs resulting from cervical spinal cord injury, used by t...

Technical Term Full entry →

TLSO

Intermediate Technical IVT

Abbreviation for Thoracolumbosacral Orthosis; a rigid or semi-rigid external spinal brace extending from the thoracic sp...

Abbreviation Full entry →

Tone Management

Intermediate Technical IVT

The clinical approach to assessing and treating abnormal muscle tone—whether hypertonic or hypotonic—to optimise a patie...

Technical Term Full entry →
Showing 73–96 of 105

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