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Physiotherapy vocabulary · Musculoskeletal Conditions

Acute

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

/əˈkjuːt/adjectiveCore term

In physiotherapy, acute means: Describes a problem that started recently and suddenly, such as a new injury or a sudden attack of pain.

In Turkish: akut

How it is used

Used to describe the stage of an injury or condition: acute injury, acute low back pain, the acute phase. Physiotherapists choose different treatments for the acute stage, when tissues are still reacting, than for later stages. Acute does not mean 'very severe'; it means new and sudden.

Example sentences

  1. In the acute stage we focus on protecting the ankle and controlling the swelling.

  2. He was admitted with an acute episode of back pain.

Common collocations

  • acute injury
  • acute phase
  • acute pain
  • acute stroke
  • acute setting
  • chronicDescribes a condition or pain that has lasted a long time, usually more than three months, or that keeps coming back.
  • inflammationThe body's natural response to injury or infection, which brings redness, heat, swelling and pain to the affected area.
  • sprainAn injury to a ligament, the strong band of tissue that joins bones together, usually caused by suddenly twisting or overstretching a joint.
  • low back painPain felt in the lower part of the back, between the bottom of the ribs and the buttocks, sometimes spreading into the leg.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Musculoskeletal Conditions

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.