Medical dictionary

What is orthomolecular nutrition?   Orthomolecular nutrition, also known as “megavitamin therapy”, is an alternative therapy based on the idea of taking very high doses of vitamins to tackle disease. The idea on which orthomolecular nutrition is based is that the nutrients provided by food and assimilated during digestion enter into the chemical composition of the body&rsquo

What is orthopaedic manual physiotherapy?   Orthopaedic manual therapy is a technique used in physiotherapy in which the therapist uses their hands to manually manipulate the patient’s nerves and muscles. It is designed to evaluate and treat neurological, cardio-respiratory and orthopaedic problems. It is based on clinical reasoning, available scientific and clinical evidence, and

What is orthopaedic rehabilitation? Orthopaedic rehabilitation is a specialised branch of medicine focused on the comprehensive care and recovery of injuries or conditions related to the musculoskeletal system. It involves a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating physiotherapy and osteopathy with exercise, pain management, and patient education to optimise healing, mobility and function. The

What are orthotic insoles?Orthotic insoles are prescription medical devices that are worn inside the shoe to correct foot problems and relieve pain. They are custom-made to fit your feet and are designed to last for a long time, over a period of several years. They are removable, so you can use them in combination with different pairs of shoes. Orthotics should be prescribed by a qualified po

What is analysed? Osmolality measures the concentration of solute particles in a solution, specifically in blood or urine. It reflects the body's ability to maintain fluid balance and osmotic equilibrium. What does the result mean? The result indicates the concentration of solutes in the fluid being tested. Abnormal osmolality levels may suggest dehydration, overhydration, electro

What is osteoarthritis?Osteoarthritis is a degenerative conditions that affects the joints, causing them to become stiff and causing pain. Any of the joints in the body can be affected, but it more commonly affects the hips, knees, and small joints in the hands. It affects women more commonly than it does men, and is the most common form of arthritis in the UK. What are the symptoms of

What is it? Ankle arthritis is a degenerative joint disease involving wear and tear of the cartilage that covers the bone. If these tissues wear, they won’t be able to cushion the weight that the ankle carries. Ankle arthritis is not a common disease, and usually appears due to a foot or leg fracture. The opposite is true for hip or knee arthritis, which are much more common. &

What is osteoarthritis of the elbow? Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that causes the loss of cartilage that lines the joint surfaces, which leads to the joint space to disappear. The elbow is one of the least affected joints as osteoarthritis generally affects weight-bearing joints, like the knee. What are the symptoms? Osteoarthritis of the elbow can cause a variety of

What is hip osteoarthritis? Hip osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the cartilage that covers the joint of the pelvic and femoral bones. This tissue facilitates movement between the bones and prevents them from rubbing against each other directly. When the cartilage decreases in thickness and texture, or is lost completely, the mechanism between the femur and the pelvis no longer f