H Glossary of Terms for
Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine

H

Hammertoe:

A toe with dorsal flexion of 1st phalanx and plantar flexion of 2nd and 3rd phalanges (aka claw toe).

Hamstring:

Category of muscle that runs from the buttocks to the knee along the back of the thigh. It functions to flex the knee, and is oft times injured as a result of improper conditioning or lack of muscle flexibility.

HDL Cholesterol:

High Density Lipoprotein, a type of cholesterol thought to help protect against atherosclerosis; "good" cholesterol.

Heat Cramps:

Painful muscle spasms of the arms or legs caused by excessive body heat and depletion of fluids and electrolytes.

Heat Exhaustion:

Mild form of shock due to dehydration because of excessive sweating when exposed to heat and humidity.

Heat Stroke:

Condition of rapidly rising internal body temperature that overwhelms the body's mechanisms for release of heat and could result in death if not cared for appropriately.

Heel Cup:

Orthotic device that is inserted into the shoe and worn under the heel to give support to the Achilles tendon and help absorb impacts at the heel.

Heel Spur:

A hard bony shelf the width of the heel bone caused by repeated pulling away of periosteum from the heel bone.

Hemarthrosis:

Accumulation of blood within a joint as a result of an acute injury.

Hematoma:

Tumor-like mass produced by an accumulation of coagulated blood in a cavity.

Hemhorrage:

To bleed.

Herniate:

To protrude through an abnormal body opening.

Hip Pointer:

Contusion to the iliac crest.

Hot Pack:

Chemical pack that rests in water, approximately 160 degrees, and retains its heat for 15-20 minutes when placed in a towel for general therapeutic application.

Humerus:

Bone of the upper arm that runs from the shoulder to the elbow.

Hyaline Cartilage:

Most common type of cartilage.

Hydration:

To restore the fluids in the body.

Hydrotherapy:

Treatment using water.

Hyperextension:

Extreme extension of a limb or body part.

Hypo:

Means below or deficient. For example, hypothermia is a subnormal body temperature.

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