Medical dictionary

What are gait abnormalities?   Gait abnormalities are alterations in the way of walking, usually due to injuries or pathologies of the spinal cord, brain, legs or feet. They can affect the speed at which you walk, and lead to problems with consistency and symmetry, or movements that are not synchronised. A gait takes place following a repetitive cycle in which different str

What is the Achilles tendon? The Achilles tendon, also known as the calcaneal tendon, is the tendon that connects the calf muscle on the back of the leg to the heel bone. It is a tough band of fibrous tissue that allows the calf muscle to move the foot and is essential for walking, running and jumping. It is the strongest and largest tendon in the body, allowing it to withstand the tension c

What is achondroplasia? Achondroplasia is a bone growth disorder and the most common cause of dwarfism. Although it literally means “without cartilage formation”, the problem is actually in turning the cartilage into bone during early development. The biggest effect of this is that the usually long bones in the arms and legs do not grow to their proper length, although there are usu

What is AC joint surgery?AC joint surgery, also known as acromioclavicular joint surgery, is a type of shoulder operation to treat acromioclavicular joint separation, also known as a separated shoulder. An acromioclavicular joint separation occurs when the clavicle (collarbone) separates from the scapula (shoulder blade). It is not to be confused with a shoulder dislocation as the injury is differ

What is the adductor longus tendon? The adductor longus is a tendon in the medial thigh. The muscle is large and fan-shaped,   How do adductor longus tendon injuries usually occur? Injuries of this muscle are common among athletes. Strains or tears of the adductor longus tendon typically occur during acute muscle contraction. It commonly occurs when kicking or pivoti

What is ankle arthrodesis? An ankle arthrodesis, also known as ankle fusion, is a surgical procedure to join together two bones in the ankle to take away pain. Why is ankle arthrodesis performed? Ankle arthrodesis is most commonly performed to treat severe and painful arthritis, a degenerative condition which affects your joints. For most patients, arthritis can be managed with conservati

What is an ankle arthroscopy?   An ankle arthroscopy is a type of minimally invasive surgery that enables the surgeon to view and operate on the joint without having to make a big incision. Small incisions, roughly about one centimetre big, are made.   An ankle arthroscopy is often done to clean the joint and remove any unwanted tissue, or it can be used for treating ost

What is ankle instability? Ankle instability is a condition that occurs when the ankle joint is unable to support the body’s weight, leading to a feeling of instability and a fear of rolling the ankle. What causes ankle instability? This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including ankle sprains, muscle weakness, and a tight Achilles tendon. What are the main sy

What is ankle replacement surgery? Ankle replacement surgery involves a total replacement of the ankle joint that connects the tibia (shin) to the talus (ankle bone). The natural joint is replaced with a prosthetic joint to restore foot mobility and reduce pain. The surgery is performed by an orthopaedic surgeon specialised in foot and ankle surgery. There is a wide range of p