Orthopedics Physical Therapy Physical Therapy Abbreviations Commonly Used by PTs By Laura Inverarity, DO Updated February 13, 2018 Share Pin Email Print Science Photo Library/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images More in Orthopedics Physical Therapy Exercises Sprains & Strains Fractures & Broken Bones Osteoporosis Sports Injuries Orthopedic Surgery Shoulder & Elbow Hip & Knee Hand & Wrist Leg, Foot & Ankle Assistive Devices & Orthotics Medication & Injections Pediatric Orthopedics View All Physical therapists often use medical abbreviations in their note writing. To lay-people and those who aren't medical professionals, these abbreviations and shorthand annotations can often be confusing. Below is a list of commonly used physical therapy abbreviations. You may also see various abbreviations on a prescription for physical therapy from your doctor. Learning these abbreviations and what they mean can help you determine what sort of techniques your PT may be using to help you fully recover.Types of Physical Therapy AbbreviationsWeight Bearing Abbreviations - When working with weight bearing restrictions, you will likely need to walk with an assistive device like a cane, crutches, or a walker. Your physical therapist can show you how to use your assistive device and make sure it is sized correctly for you.Assistive Device Abbreviations-These abbreviations are used for various types of devices to help you walk and move about. Crutches and canes are considered assistive devices.Range of Motion Abbreviations-Range of motions refers to moving a joint or body part in its full available range. Sometimes, your doctor of PT will use abbreviations when referring to range of motion.Therapeutic Modalities -These treatments are used to help improve circulation, muscle contractions, and inflammation. Exercise Equipment Abbreviations - Your physical therapist may use a variety of abbreviations in their clinic. For example, some McKenzie-trained physical therapists use the term REIL to indicate the press-up exercise. (REIL stands for repeated extension in lying.) Use this resource to review the most common abbreviations in physical therapy and their meanings. If you have access to your physical therapy and rehab notes and see something you do not understand, just ask your physical therapist.Physical Therapy Abbreviations (A-Z)# -50%WB - 50 Percent Weight BearingA - ā - BeforeAAROM - Active Assistive Range of MotionABD - AbductionACJ - Acromioclavicular JointACL - Anterior Cruciate LigamentAD - Assistive DeviceADD - AdductionADL - Activities of Daily LivingAFO - Ankle Foot Orthosis (Used To Treat Foot Drop)AKA - Above Knee AmputationAmb - AmbulationAROM - Active Range Of MotionB -B - BilateralBID - Twice a DayBKA - Below Knee AmputationC - C - WithCGA - Contact Guard AssistCKC - Closed Kinetic ChainCP - Cold PackCPM - Continuous Passive MotionCTx - Cervical TractionD - DB - DumbbellDF - DorsiflexionDF - Dorsiflexion (of The Ankle)DJD - Degenerative Disc DiseaseE - ER - External RotationEstim or ES - Electrical StimulationEV - Eversion (of The Ankle)Ex - ExerciseEXT - Extension (or a Slash Mark Is Used To Signify Extension)F - FIM score - Functional Independence LevelFLEX - Flexion (or Simply a Check Mark Is Used To Signify Flexion)FWB - Full Weight BearingFx - FractureG - GHJ - Glenohumeral JointH - H/o - History of HEP - Home Exercise ProgramHOB - Head of BedHoriz ABD - Horizontal AbductionHoriz ADD - Horizontal AdductionHP - Hot PacksHVGS - High Voltage Galvantic StimulationHx - HistoryI - I - IndependentInv - InversionIonto - IontophoresisIR - Internal RotationITB - Iliotibial BandIV - Inversion (of The Ankle)K - KAFO - Knee Ankle Foot OrthosisL - LAQ - Long Arc QuadLBQC - Large Base Quad Cane (Also Known As a Wide Base Quad Cane (Wbqc))LCL - Lateral Collateral LigamentLE - Lower ExtremityLOA - Level of AssistLP - Leg PressLTG - Long Term GoalsM - MCL - Medial Collateral LigamentMFR - Myofascial Release MHP - Moist Hot PackMm - MuscleMMT - Manual Muscle TestMobs - MobilizationN - NDT - Neuro Developmental Technique (Also Known As Bobath Technique)NMES - Neuromuscular Electrical StimulationNWB - Non-Weight BearingO - OKC - Open Kinetic ChainOOB - Out Of BedP - PCL - Posterior Cruciate LigamentPF - Plantar FlexionPfin - Paraffin BathPFS - Patellofemoral SyndromePhono - PhonophoresisPMHx - Past Medical HistoryPNF - Proprioceptive Neuromuscular FacilitationPRO - Pronation (Turning Your Wrist Palm Down)PROM - Passive Range of MotionPT - Physical TherapistPt. - PatientPTA - Physical Therapy AssistantPUW - Pick Up WalkerPWB - Partial Weight BearingQ - Q - EveryQC - Quad CaneQD - Every DayQID - Four Times A DayR - RC - Rotator CuffRD - Radial Deviation (a Motion of the Wrist)RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation RomROM - Range of MotionRot - RotationRW - Rolling WalkerRx - TreatmentS - S - Without (Sans)SAQ - Short Arc QuadSB - Side BendingSBA - Stand By AssistSBQC - Small Base Quad Cane (Also Known As a Narrow Base Quad Cane (Nbqc))SC - Straight CaneSLR - Straight Leg RaiseSTM - Soft Tissue MobilizationSUP - Supination (Turning Your Wrist Palm Up)SW - Standard WalkerT - TB - TherabandTENS - Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular StimulationTHA - Total Hip ArthroplastyTher Ex - Therapeutic ExerciseTID - Three Times a DayTKA - Total Knee ArthroplastyTLSO - Thoracic Lumbar Sacral OrthosisTM - TreadmillTrxn - TractionTTWB - Toe Touch Weight BearingU - UBE - Upper Body ErgometerUD - Ulnar Deviation (A Motion Of The Wrist)UE - Upper ExtremityUS - Ultra SoundW - W/c - Wheel ChairWBAT - Weight Bearing As ToleratedWC - WheelchairWFL - Within Functional LimitWNL - Within Normal LimitsWW - Wheeled WalkerUnderstanding the basics of PT-related abbreviations can help you gain a fuller understanding of your rehab. As always, if you have any questions about your therapy, speak with your PT. Continue Reading