Glossary

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Allograft
The transplant of an organ or tissue from one person to another.  Allograft can be from a cadaver or a living donor, and can be from someone related or unrelated to the recipient.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
One of the four major ligaments of the knee, the ACL crosses from the underside of the thigh bone (or femur) to the top of the bigger bone in the lower leg (the tibia).

Arthroscope
An arthroscope is a thin, flexible scope that is inserted through a joint through a small incision and used for diagnostic and treatment procedures.  Arthroscopes are about the diameter of a drinking straw, and are fitted with a tiny camera, light source, and tools the surgeon uses for various procedures.

Arthroscopic surgery
This is a surgical technique in which a tube-like instrument (an arthroscope) is inserted into a joint to inspect, diagnose and repair tissues.  It is considered a minimally invasive surgical procedure that can typically be done on an outpatient basis.

Articular cartilage
Cartilage is dense connective tissue comprised of collagen and elastin fibers.  Articular cartilage is located on the end of bones and supplies a smooth surface for the movement of articulating bones in a joint.

Bio-absorbable
Material that can be absorbed by the body and no longer detected as a separate substance, for example after implantation in a surgical procedure, is referred to as bio-absorbable.

Bowlegged
A deformity identified by an outward bowing of the legs is also known as Blount’s disease.  There is usually an outward curvature of both the thigh bone (or femur) and the large bone in the lower leg (the tibia).

Bursa
In the knee (and other places in the body) this is a closed fluid-filled sac that provides a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues.

Bursitis
When the bursa becomes inflamed, the condition is known as bursitis.  A bursa can become inflamed from injury, infection, or underlying rheumatic condition.

Cadaver
This is a formal name for a dead human body, used by physicians and other scientists to study anatomy, determine causes of death, and provide tissue or organs for a living human being.

Cartilage
This is a firm, rubbery tissue that cushions bones at joints, connects muscles with bones, and makes up other parts of the body, such as the outside parts of the ears.

Chondromalacia
This is a condition characterized by abnormal softening or degeneration of cartilage.

Collagen scaffold
A collagen scaffold is a temporary structure designed to provide support or reinforcement of soft tissue (such as bone, skin, tendon, or cartilage) where a weakness exists.

Complication rates
A complication is an unfavorable evolution of a disease or medical treatment.  The rate, or number, of complications expected from a medical treatment (such as surgery) can include adverse effects or new health problems.

Defect
In this case, a defect is a gap or hole in the meniscus where damaged or torn tissue has been removed.

Degenerative
A degenerative disease is a one in which the function or structure of the affected tissues or organs progressively deteriorates over time, due to normal bodily wear or lifestyle choices such as exercise and eating habits.

Joint capsule
The joint capsule forms a complete envelope for the freely movable joint, such as the knee.  The capsule consists of two layers — an outer layer of white fibrous tissue, and an inner, secreting layer known as the synovial membrane.

Knock-kneed
This is a condition where the knees angle in and touch each other, even when the legs are straightened.  Individuals are typically unable to touch their feet together while simultaneously straightening the legs.

Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
One of the four major ligaments of the knee, the LCL is on the outside of the joint and resists forces pushing the knee away from the body.

Ligament
A ligament is a tough band of connective tissue that connects various structures such as two bones.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
MRI is a radiology technique designed to image internal structures of the body using magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce the images of body structures.  For an MRI, patients lie in a closed area inside the magnetic coil.  While MRI is a helpful, non-invasive diagnostic tool, some patients may experience a feeling of claustrophobia.

Matrix
In general terms a matrix is something from which something else originates, develops, or takes form.  One example is an extracellular substance in which tissue cells of connective tissue are embedded and grow.

Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
One of the four major ligaments of the knee, the MCL is on the inner side of the joint and resists forces pushing the knee toward the body.

Meniscectomy or Partial Meniscectomy
This surgical procedure involves the removal of all or part of a damaged meniscus in the knee.

Meniscus repair
In some cases the edges of a meniscus tear are fixed back together with sutures, darts, tacks, or arrows.  Meniscus injuries can be repaired only if the tear is in an appropriate location and there is enough healthy tissue remaining.

Meniscus transplant
A meniscus transplant consists of taking out a worn or damaged meniscus and replacing it with a new one from a donor.

Osteoarthritis
This is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints.

Osteochondritis dissecans
This is a condition in which a fragment of bone in a joint is deprived of blood and separates from the rest of the bone, causing soreness and making the joint (such as the knee) "give way".

Popliteal cysts
A swelling in the space behind the knee is known as a popliteal cyst.  The swelling consists of a membrane-lined sac filled with synovial fluid that has escaped from the joint.

Portal
A small incision which provides arthroscopic access to the interior of the body is known as a portal.

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
One of the four major ligaments of the knee, the PCL crosses behind the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) within the joint.

Prognosis
The expected course of a disease or the patient's chance of recovery is referred to as a prognosis.  It predicts the outcome, or the future chance of recovery, for the patient.
 
Rehabilitation
This is the process of restoration of skills by a person who has had an illness or injury so as to regain maximum self-sufficiency and function in a normal or as near normal manner as possible.

Resorbable
In this context, a material that can be absorbed by the body is resorbable.  In essence the material is dissolved and assimilated by the body.

Sutures
The thread-like material used to sew tissue together or stitch a wound closed is a suture.

Synovial membrane
Within a joint cavity (such as the knee) there is a layer of connective tissue called the synovial membrane that makes synovial fluid, which has a lubricating function.

Tendonitis or Tendinitis
This painful disorder is due to inflammation of a tendon or through chronic overuse leading to microscopic tears within the collagen matrix which weakens the tissue.

X-ray
X-rays (or Röntgen rays) are a form of electromagnetic radiation primarily used for diagnostic radiography, a method of viewing primarily bony objects or structures within the body.