Deformity - This is when a body part or bone is different than what it normally would be. 7151, rue Jean-Talon Est, bureau 700 Anjou (Qubec) H1M 3N8 514 351-2770 | 1 800 361-2001 These treatment abbreviations will be used to improve inflammation, circulation and pain. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. For instance, abbreviations like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are used to identify the treated condition while motor vehicle accident (MVA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) are used to identify the cause for treatment. See other definitions of BOS. Privacy Policy. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Weve covered some of the most common ones in this articleincluding the wide array of both clinical and non-clinical certifications and designations belowbut this is by no means an exhaustive list. Learning them will help you feel more clear about your recovery plan. To find out what your disease, diagnosis or body part abbreviation means, check them here. These therapeutic modalities might include exercises and other forms of treatment, like ultrasound and electrical stimulation, to get things up and moving again. These well-crafted documentation phrases save you time by providing you with inspiration on how to phrase the skill you provide to your patients. Common Physical Therapy Abbreviations A : 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 To find out what your disease, diagnosis or body part abbreviation means, check them here. The list of 1k Physical Therapy acronyms and abbreviations (February 2023): 50 Categories. Tx. adaptive equipment. So, patients come into physical therapy with a lot of different assistive devices, and therapists use different equipment to help them. There are dozens of PT abbreviations for clinical use. Assistive devices - You use these devices to assist in completing your normal daily activities. 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 : Before AAROM: Active assistive range of motion ABD: Abduction ACJ: Acromioclavicular joint ACL: Anterior cruciate ligament AD: Assistive device ADD: Adduction Filler Words to Avoid in PT Treatment Notes (and Other Documentation Missteps), You Audit Know: 5 Documentation Tips to Protect Your Practice From Audits, 5 Things Every SLP Should Know About Billing for Speech Therapy, Request a Free Demo When Physical Therapists document the progress of a patient, its common to see medical abbreviations within the notes. While it might look like Greek to you, each abbreviation has a particular purpose and meaning. There are just some common or positional terms used in medicine, like "beats per minute" and "head of the bed." These abbreviations are often accompanied by numerical measurements that are obtained via various physical therapy measurement tools, such as a goniometer, inclinometer, or posture analyzer. Assistive devices - You use these devices to assist in completing your normal daily activities. Examples include crutches and walkers. If your physical therapist has a clinical doctorate degree, they will sign their name, and then write "PT, DPT" after their name. Again, this is not an exhaustive list, and we know the educational opportunities available to PT professionals are always evolving. This toolwhich is built into WebPTautomatically changes designated abbreviations into their full-text equivalents. PT professionals often jokingly refer to the jumble of letters following our names as the alphabet soup of physical therapy. Indeed, if you consider the many designations and certifications out there, it can start to look excessive! Examples include crutches and walkers. Hip circles with no hands 7. Abbreviations are used for many reasons in physical therapy: If you don't know what a word means in your physical therapy or rehab notes, ask your PT about it. Get Top Tips Tuesday and The Latest Physiopedia updates, The content on or accessible through Physiopedia is for informational purposes only. Base Of Support (BoS)'' The base of support (BoS) refers to the area beneath an object or person that includes every point of contact that the object or person makes with the supporting surface. He loves to teach PTs and OTs ways to save time and money in and out of the clinic, especially when it comes to documentation or continuing education. Assisted active range of motion(AAROM) often happens in physical therapy, when you need to build up flexibility or strength in a particular body part. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. 9. ROM - Range of Motion. Phone: 866-221-1870 Since there isnt a lot of time to write down crutches and walkers, they use physical therapy abbreviations to keep it simple. It interferes with a person's ability to sustain attention or focus on a task and some patients may be unable to control impulsive behavior.One variant seen is "ADHD" - Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder [ARCDallas] ADEA . in their toolkit to remain up-to-date with shorthand physical therapy terms and streamline documentation and charting processes. Current Issues in Physical Therapy in 2023 and How to Tackle Them, Four Key Physical Therapist Characteristics To Look For When Hiring, 4 Ways To Increase Profit In Your Physical Therapy Practice, Physical Therapist Burnout: Causes and Prevention, 3 Effective Physical Therapy Practice SEO Techniques. As with the many different diseases and conditions a physical therapist must document, there are also numerous physical therapy abbreviations that are used for the identification of the accompanying treatments. For example, 0 (nothing at all) would be how you feel when sitting in a chair; 10 (very, very heavy) is how you feel at the end of an exercise stress test . Common Physical Therapy Abbreviations A AAROM - active assistive range . This article includes a list of abbreviations that physical therapists often use. When you see it, youll now know the difference between a "SAQ" and "STM." 2002; Culver City, CA)SPTSandpoint (Amtrak station code; Sandpoint, ID)79 more rows. Then, well move on to professional designations. Procedure abbreviations are commonly used during physical therapy charting processes to help simplify the reading and completion of this administrative task. Read more, Physiopedia 2023 | Physiopedia is a registered charity in the UK, no. What does BOS stand for in Medical? Add it HERE! Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist at Premier Physical Therapy in Chicago. When refering to evidence in academic writing, you should always try to reference the primary (original) source. WBOS Meaning What does WBOS mean as an abbreviation? Following the list of commonly used therapy abbreviations people can understand their therapist's note by themselves! Our guides offer problem solving tips &growth strategies for your practice. ADL. Activities of daily living (ADLs) - These are the activities that you do to care for yourself like bathing, dressing and feeding yourself. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Posts with descriptions of personal physical issues and/or requests for diagnoses, exercise prescriptions, and other medical advice will be removed, and you will be banned at the mods' discretion either for requesting such advice or for offering such advice as a clinician. 11. Thanks, as always, for your excellent customer service. These abbreviations should be recognised and agreed upon in order to ensure clear communication and prevent avoidable errors in patient care. But sometimes our abbreviations can get a little confusing! Wed love to hear from you! Here are a list of the common terms and abbreviations: PT - Physical Therapy or Physical Therapist. Side steps no hands 6. Fax: 866-225-0057. Fine motor - These are the small muscles and movements you have, like the ones you use for typing. Abbreviation for Therapy: 18 Categories. But what do all these terms that they're throwing at you actually mean? Below is a list of commonly used abbreviations that are relevant to physiotherapy practice. "j@$eV"YT"A$k"XDL;z+A$"}xf I y7Xd.[8 l#!30?0 Lw Andersen Ross Photography Inc / DigitalVision / Getty Images. Suggest now. Sit stands with one hand Level 3 1. Click to reveal AAROM. OT - Occupational Therapist. AROM - Active Range of Motion ( movement created by the patient ) PROM - Passive Range of Motion ( movement created by . What does WBOS abbreviation stand for? Here are some of the abbreviations and shorthand terms commonly seen in physical therapy documentation. Another frequent abbreviation is passive range of motion (PROM), to recognize movements aided by something or someone, such as a physical therapist. Abbreviations assist healthcare professionals to streamline documentation and make more effective use of their time. Below is a list of commonly used abbreviations that are relevant to physiotherapy practice. Contact WebPT This includes even the ones that arent functioning at their best. Please read my disclosure for more info. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Physical therapy is a medical field, which means that all your body parts have abbreviations. These terms are especially relevant in physical therapy, sports medicine, neuro-rehabilitation, prosthetics, orthotics, and other areas of medicine that focus . Closed-chain exercises mean your body is pushing against a fixed surface while open-chain exercises are freely moving. endstream endobj 260 0 obj <>/Metadata 15 0 R/Pages 257 0 R/StructTreeRoot 25 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 261 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 257 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 262 0 obj <>stream Laura Inverarity, PT, DO, is a current board-certified anesthesiologist and former physical therapist. Use this resource to review the most common abbreviations in physical therapy and their meanings: Some abbreviations make more sense than others. by Dr. Nora Mraz II Published 1 year ago Updated 6 months ago What is the abbreviation for Physical Therapy? You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. BPPV: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. BSID-3: Bailey Scale of Infant and Toddler Development. It is used to measure how much you can move a joint on your own (active ROM) or with the assistance of someone else (passive ROM). Walking Backwards on a Treadmill in Physical Therapy, 12 Common Physical Therapy Treatments and Modalities, Physical Therapy for Posterior Tibial Tendonitis. It was a lot, but you've made your way through physical therapy abbreviations like a champ. Gait training is a set of exercises that are specifically implemented by your physical therapist to help you walk better. PCL: Posterior cruciate ligament. A a- before AAROM- active assistive range of motion Abd- abduction ACJ- acromioclavicular joint ACL- anterior cruciate ligament Add- adduction ADL- activities of daily living AFO- ankle foot orthosis AKA- above knee amputation House position: APTA's 2016 House of Delegates amended the position HOD P06-14-08-18 to limit the use of abbreviated designations after a physical therapist's or physical therapist assistant's name. This is followed by a 12-month internship at the university and other educational hospitals . AAROM active assistive range of motionABD abductionAC acromioclavicularACDF anterior cervical discectomy and fusionACJ acromioclavicular jointACL anterior cruciate ligamentAD assistive deviceADD adductionADL activity/activities of daily livingAFO ankle foot orthosisAICD automated implantable cardiac defibrillatorAKA above-knee amputationAmb ambulationA/P anterior/posteriorAROM active range of motionB bilateralBID twice a dayBKA below-knee amputationc (with a line over it) withCABG coronary artery bypass graft (open heart surgery)CGA contact guard assistCKC closed kinetic chainC/O complains ofCP cold pack, cerebral palsyCPM continuous passive motionCTx cervical tractionDDD degenerative disc diseaseDF dorsiflexionDJD degenerative joint diseaseEEG electroencephalogramEOB edge of bedER external rotationEstim or ES electrical stimulationEV eversionEx exerciseEx Lap exploratory laparotomy or laparoscopyExt (or /) extensionFIM functional independence level (also called FIM score)Flex (or ) flexionFWB full weight-bearingFx fractureFWW front-wheeled walkerGHJ glenohumeral jointHEP home exercise programHKAFO hip-knee-ankle foot orthosisHNP herniated nucleus pulposus (herniated disc)H/o history ofHOB head of bedHoriz horizontalHP hot packHVGS high-voltage galvanic stimulationHx historyI (or Ind) independentI&D incision and drainage (debridement)ICD-10 10th revision: International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health ProblemsInv inversionIonto iontophoresisIR internal rotationITB iliotibial bandKAFO knee ankle foot orthosisL leftLAQ long-arc quadLBQC large-base quad caneLCL lateral collateral ligamentLE lower extremityLOA level of assistLOS length of stayLP leg pressLSO lumbosacral orthosisLTG long-term goalsMax A maximum assistMCL medial collateral ligamentMD medical doctorMFR myofascial releaseMHP moist hot packMin A minimum assistMm muscleMMT manual muscle testMob mobilizationMod I modified independentNBQC narrow base quad caneNDT neuro-developmental techniqueNMES neuromuscular electrical stimulationNWB non-weight bearingOKC open kinetic chainOOB out of bedPCL posterior cruciate ligamentPF plantarflexionPfin paraffin bathPFS patellofemoral syndromePhono phonophoresisPMX (or PMHx) past medical historyPNF proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitationPro pronationPROM passive range of motionPt patientPUW pick-up walkerPWB partial weight bearingPD peritoneal dialysisPEG percutaneous endoscopic gastrotomyPICC peripherally inserted central catheterPLIF posterior lumbar interbody fusionQ everyQC quad caneQD every dayQID four times a dayR rightRC rotator cuffRD radial deviationRICE rest, ice, compression, elevationRN registered nurseROM range of motionRot rotationRT respiratory therapist/therapyRW rolling walkerRx treatmentS (with a line over a lower cased S) withoutSAQ short arc quadSB side bending (or Swiss ball)SBA stand-by assistSBQC small base quad caneSC straight caneSLR straight leg raiseSPC single-point caneSTM soft tissue mobilizationSTS sit-to-standSup supinationSW standard walkerTB TheraBand, tuberculosisTDWB touch-down weight bearingTENS transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulationTHA total hip arthroplastyTher Ex therapeutic exerciseTHR total hip replacementTID three times a dayTKA total knee arthroplastyTKR total knee replacementTLSO thoracic lumbar sacral orthosisTLIF transforaminal lumbar interbody fusionTM treadmillTMJ temporomandibular jointTotal A total assistTrxn tractionTTWB toe-touch weight bearingUBE upper body ergometerUD ulnar deviationUE upper extremityUS ultrasoundWBAT weight bearing as toleratedWBQC wide-base quad caneWC (or w/c) wheelchairWFL within functional limitsWNL within normal limitsWW wheeled walker4WW four-wheeled walker# pounds. Our association history dates back to 1921. Therapy. Quick reference dictionary for physical therapy. above knee amputation. Castin, Meredith. The numbers below relate to phrases used to rate how easy or difficult you find an activity. I know this list would have been helpful to me as a pre-PT . A number of Physical Therapy abbreviations are used today, so we wanted to provide a comprehensive guide to Physical Therapy acronyms for PTs and PTAs to use to refer to various movements, devices, viewpoints, anatomical landmarks, surgical procedures, and certifications. These various terms help identify over a hundred physical therapy movements, procedures, conditions, and equipment types. This program trains individuals to become physiotherapy technologists who are capable of reading and understanding information included in patient files, collecting data required to evaluate the patient's situation, establishing and implementing a treatment plan, modifying treatment based on the situation, updating patient . The American Physical Therapy Association is an individual membership professional organization representing 100,000 member physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy. /piA H[:D2`p(x3dU~Z8AM 6+ adduction AFO ankle foot orthosis @ at AKA above knee amputee Physical therapy abbreviations are frequently used by PTs and PTAs to denote various movements, devices, viewpoints, anatomical landmarks, surgical procedures, and even professional certifications. You might be trying to get rotation back into your shoulder or extend into a new range of motion after a back surgery. So far Ive got Ambulate weight bearing _ _ due to bilateral braces, but I cant figure out the O and the S. Can anyone help? 1173185. Our free blog gives provides updates on topics including business, marketing, compliance, finance, HR, & more. While the range of motion of a joint can vary from one person to the next, there are expected (normal . 1 An OT's goal is often to help clients participate in daily life as independently as possible, and ADLs are the most basic level that the therapist assesses. PF: Plantar flexion. List of 5 best WBOS meaning forms based on popularity. 117.53.152.104 Examples of proper usage in written communication would be:Dr. Jane Smith, Doctor of Physical Therapy.Jane Smith, DPT. Get the top BOS abbreviation related to Medical. Here are some of the abbreviations and shorthand terms commonly seen in physical therapy documentation. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) is an acronym at the top of the physical therapy abbreviation list for documenting treatment recommendations. 309 0 obj <>stream Step ups with both hands 14. The use of treatment abbreviations provide a detailed look into the patient's episode of care and can be helpful for long-term documentation needs. Let us know in the comments and well add them. Physiopedia is not a substitute for professional advice or expert medical services from a qualified healthcare provider. hXmo6+/Cy T[s9aK%nmhx:>wiLzLz Approved abbreviations may vary widely by facility, area of practice, and geographical location. I've compiled a list of the most common terms and abbreviations that you'll probably see while shadowing/working in the physical therapy field. With the many types of equipment used in the physical therapy space also comes a collection of equipment PT abbreviations. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Currently, a PT should be identified by their name, their profession (in this case 'PT'), and the highest degree obtained. For example, the Physical Therapy abbreviation SBA (stand by assist) or CGA (contact guard assist) are common PT medical abbreviations. How to abbreviate Therapy? When laying out your physical therapy documentation needs, such as the development of a SOAP note, procedure abbreviations you can expect to write include three times a day (TID), date of surgery (DOS), and history of (H/o). Understanding the basics of PT-related terms can help you gain a fuller understanding of your rehab. Weight-bearing, which is the WB physical therapy abbreviation, refers to the amount of weight one puts on an injured body part. MWTherapy is committed to bringing you info to help you grow your practice from any size to any size - for free. activity of daily living. A neurobehavioral disorder that affects 3 to 5 percent of all American children. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. %PDF-1.5 % 278 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<763567485C25A147B7F37A714FBF4427><2BC180893E64EC4D81B4B6134F20DC81>]/Index[259 51]/Info 258 0 R/Length 101/Prev 519514/Root 260 0 R/Size 310/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Deformity - This is when a body part or bone is different than what it normally would be. Completing a 3-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program qualifies you to use the title Dr. in front of your name. Do you see any common abbreviations that have been left out? Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy 124 West Street South, Third Floor Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone 703-299-3100 Fax 703 . Yes! PT professionals often jokingly refer to the jumble of letters following our names as the alphabet soup of physical therapy. Indeed, if you consider the many designations and certifications out there, it can start to look excessive! Get some of the basic terms and abbreviations that you might find at physical therapy. People with the DPT designation have earned the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, while a PT may have a bachelor's or master's degree. Explore common physical therapy abbreviations for assistive devices and equipment. Send us a note. Maybe you were looking for one of these abbreviations: WBON - WBOO - WBOP - WBOQ - WBOR - WBOSS - WBOT - WBOU - WBOV - WBOW Discuss these WBOS abbreviations with the community: Notify me of new comments via email. To keep things simple, they often abbreviate terms when speaking or writing notes. Fulfill every rehab therapy business need within one platform. Much of the physical therapy treatment process includes the use and documentation of various movement types for either treatment or assessment purposes. Abbreviated Abbreviations Common. In most cases Physiopedia articles are a secondary source and so should not be used as references. Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome. 259 0 obj <> endobj And if they use a term you don't know when talking to you, ask them to explain it. It's no secret that physical therapy documentation and patient charting can be both tedious and time-consuming. Don't keep it to yourself! Every physical therapist should have a robust physical therapy abbreviation list (like this one!) 13 short forms of Therapy. There are many different abbreviations floating around out there, and we felt it made sense to create a comprehensive guide to PT shorthand. These points of contact may be body parts e.g. Physiopedia articles are best used to find the original sources of information (see the references list at the bottom of the article). A lower CoG increases stability (it's unlikely that the line of gravity will fall outside the BoS. '' Meredith Castin, PT, DPT, is the founder of The Non-Clinical PT, a career development resource designed to help physical, occupational, and speech therapy professionals leverage their degrees in non-clinical ways. Range of motion is one common reason that you are going to physical therapy. Gross motor - These are the muscles you use for big movements, like walking or running. Assistive devices that are often abbreviated can include but are not limited to quad canes (QD), straight canes (SC), and wheeled walkers (WW). Suggest. Range of motion (ROM) is a term used to describe how far you can move a joint or muscle in various directions. Kinetic chain is a term used to describe the way a human body moves. Well start with the abbreviations that are generally used in clinical practice and documentation. 8. , a career development resource designed to help physical, occupational, and speech therapy professionals leverage their degrees in non-clinical ways. hb```f``d`a``cf@ a+P@~ I1zzavf P Range of motion (ROM) - This how well or how little you can move a specific body part. Discover how WebPT works across all of outpatient rehab. Are you a business looking to collaborate? Heel stand one hand 12. Want a Job With APTA? Suggest. Click to reveal Forward reaching 16. See privacy policy and disclosure page for details. To find out what your disease, diagnosis or body part abbreviation means, check them here. BOS stands for Base of Support (physical therapy) Suggest new definition. endstream endobj startxref *. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Psychiatry, . Physical Therapy Abbreviations Commonly Used by PTs. AE. active assistive range of motion. What Is an Anterior Tibialis Tendon Rupture? If you want to build a successful physical therapy clinic, there are a few non-negotiables youll want 7 Invisible Reasons Patients Arent Choosing Your PT Practice. So, well update this article periodically as we learn of more exciting certifications and specializations! 5 popular meanings of WBOS abbreviation: No terms for WBOS in Medical. ACJ - Acromioclavicular Joint ACL - Anterior Cruciate Ligament AFO - Ankle Foot Orthosis abduction ACL anterior cruciate ligament ADL's activities of daily living Add. Cookie Notice What is BOS meaning in . In Egypt, physical therapy is a vital form of professional patient care that can be applied in most disciplines of medicine. Common Physical Therapy Abbreviations AAROM Active Assistive Range of Motion ABD Abduction ADD Adduction (A) assist AD assistive device Amb. Abbreviations [1] [2] [3]: Units: Frequency and time: Routes of Administration: Never abbreviate: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N - O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z hbbd```b`` Learn what "ICD-10" and "Mod I" mean. As always, if you have any questions about your therapy, speak with your PT. ADLs refer to the daily activities needed for survival- feeding, dressing, toileting, etc. Physical Therapy Abbreviations: 170 Most Common Terms for PTs. SPTAcronymDefinitionSPTStandard Penetration Test (soil science)SPTSkin Prick TestSPTSony Pictures Television (est. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Most common WBOS abbreviation full forms updated in January 2023 MWTherapy offers fast documentation via customizable templates and forms built by therapists for therapists. These treatment abbreviations will be used to improve inflammation, circulation and pain. . They also want to help educate you so you can take an active role in your rehab. By Laura Inverarity, DO Are you a PT seeking one-on-one career coaching or help with documentation? It can be hard to give documentation your full attention. Abbreviated Abbreviations Common. Standing trunk turn normal stance 15. The RPE scale is used to measure the intensity of your exercise. This includes even the ones that aren't functioning at their best. So if you don't understand something that pertains to your care, ask them to explain. After your initial assessment, your PT is going to set a treatment course to help improve your life. 170.39.79.101 One legged stance no hands 5. Condition abbreviations can be used to identify not only the specific concern PTs are dealing with but also to help identify what may have induced this condition in the patient. Incorporate an all-in-one physical therapy EMR solution into your daily operations to further enhance and organize your documentation and charting tasks. NBOS no hands 3. Physical Therapy Abbreviations for Clinical Use. Aside from physical therapy abbreviations for tools used in treatment, there are also assistive device abbreviations that are referenced to denote the equipment used by patients. That said, if ever you feel confused when talking to your doctor, don't be afraid to speak up. Its no secret that physical therapy documentation and patient charting can be both tedious and time-consuming. fR0o^8j4Lh!N`(@ $v^4=1U4R?k.`h@qZ5BY4`[4qLIM*}`XW),{||k<60&['cvkM+|`lPL/n.a-$1Xi7]5";+fNl/lZG4M1#>u.&p0OJe1cQ!3?aOc9 K-Zs y2Z}|Ck[j4P04}]iTDbYZ_L3rpvWMe_Ve}v_,\7E2gRdiG/ AROM. Copyright 1988-2018 AcronymFinder.com, All rights reserved. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2aba94cd8aa11c BPI: Brief Pain Inventory. Sprained Ankle vs. The exercises involve improving motion in your lower extremity joints, improving strength and balance, and mimicking the repetitive nature of your legs that occur while walking. With countless clinical and procedural terms used on a daily basis, professionals will often opt to use abbreviations and acronyms to help streamline their . The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Stay current on all things rehab therapy. and Performance & security by Cloudflare. Blend Images - JGI/Tom Grill / Getty Images. It usually refers to a foot, leg, or ankle that has been fractured or has been performed surgery on but it can also refer to resting on a wrist or arm. For example, you sit down and lift your leg up in front of you as far as you can. 100+ Common Physical Therapy Abbreviations YOU Should Know. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. 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