Medical Terms & Acronyms

You might see a lot of terminology and acronyms thrown around in conversation with medical professionals, or even just regular conversation or in support groups and stuff.

Here’s a few that might help. Thank you Peter Alexandrov from the great ‘Pilon Fractures Suck’ Facebook group who put them together!

• PT - Physical Therapy

• HW - Hardware - typically Stainless Steel or Titanium screws, plates, rods, etc.

• HWR - Hardware Removal

• ORIF - Open Reduction Internal Fixation - surgery where hardware is used to stabilize and hold bone fragments together through an incision

• Sub Cutaneous - Surgery where a rod or screw is used to stabilize and hold bones together through a small skin hole (not incision)

• RICE - Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate

• NWB - Non Weight Bearing

• PWB - Partial Weight Bearing

• WBAT - Weight Bearing As Tolerated

• FWB - Full Weight Bearing

• TAR - Total Ankle Replacement

• ROM - Range of Motion

• ExFix - External Fixator