Physiotherapy

Glossary

Baclofen

A drug that acts on the central nervous system to relax muscles.

Botulinum Toxin Type A

An injection, used for children with disability, to treat excessive muscle tone (more than usual tension in the muscle) - more pronounced when the child moves.

Gross motor skills

Physical skills that involve large movements, such as those involved in floor mobility, standing, walking, running and jumping.

Hydrotherapy

Activities and exercises that occur in water, for example, in a swimming pool to help improve or maintain physical ability.

Mobility

Ability to move around either by walking, or using a wheelchair.

Orthopaedics

A type of surgery concerned with repair of problems of the spine and other bones of the body. An orthopaedic surgeon has undergone extensive training in treatment of adults and children before qualifying by examination.

Orthoses

Another word for splints - special supports for the hands or feet.

Posture

Body position.

Range of movement

The full amount of movement possible in a body joint (such as the knee or elbow).

Serial casting

Where a limb is put into plaster several times to gradually stretch muscles and tendons so that the limb can end up in a better position for everyday use.

Splint

A special support worn on the hands or the feet to hold them in a correct position - they are usually made from materials such as special plastics, neoprene (used for wet suits) and lycra (often used in swimming suits).

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