R

Radiography:

Taking of x-rays.

Radiate:

Pain that seems to travel from one point in the musculature to another.which travels.

Radial pulse:

Pulse felt at the wrist.

Radius:

Forearm bone on the thumb side.

Raynaud's phenomenon:

Changes in skin color due to spasm of small blood vessels especially with exposure to cold.

RDA:

In the United States, the amount of an essential nutrient that is recommended on a daily basis to maintain health in various age groups and categories, as determined by a board of nutrition experts; used in labeling of foods. See:

Recommended Dietary Allowance.

Reconstruction:

Surgical rebuilding of a joint using natural, artificial or transplanted materials.

Reflex (deep tendon):

Contraction of a muscle in response to tapping the tendon or guider with a reflex hammer; it requires intact sensory nerve supply to transmit the stretching of receptors in the muscle, and intact motor nerve supply for the muscle to contract.

Referred Pain:

Pain felt in an undamaged area of body away from the actual injury.

Resect:

To cut off, or cut out, a portion of a structure of organ.

Retraction:

The moving of tissue to expose a part or structure of the body.

Risk Factor:

A factor that increases the chance of developing or aggravating a condition.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Chronic, progressive disease in which inflammatory changes occur throughout the connective tissue of the body. Most characteristically the process attacks joints of the hands, feet, wrists, knees, hips, or shoulders.

Rotator Cuff:

Comprised of four muscles in the shoulder area that can be irratated by overuse. The muscles are the supraspinatus (most commonly injured), infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis.

RSS:

Repetitive stress syndrome that is caused by repetitive movement (causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome when occurs at wrist/hand).

Rupture:

Tearing apart of a tissue.

R Glossary of Terms forPhysical Therapy & Sports Medicine

R

R Glossary of Terms for
Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine