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Physiotherapy vocabulary · Musculoskeletal Conditions

Inflammation

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

/ˌɪnfləˈmeɪʃən/nounCore term

In physiotherapy, inflammation means: The body's natural response to injury or infection, which brings redness, heat, swelling and pain to the affected area.

In Turkish: inflamasyon, yangı

How it is used

Physiotherapists explain it to patients as a normal part of healing after an injury. The adjectives are inflamed ('the tendon is inflamed') and inflammatory ('inflammatory arthritis'). The ending '-itis', as in bursitis, means inflammation.

Example sentences

  1. Some inflammation after a sprain is normal and part of healing.

  2. The joint shows signs of inflammation: it is warm, red and swollen.

Common collocations

  • signs of inflammation
  • reduce inflammation
  • acute inflammation
  • inflammatory arthritis
  • swellingAn increase in the size of a part of the body caused by extra fluid in the tissues, often after an injury, an operation or inflammation.
  • acuteDescribes a problem that started recently and suddenly, such as a new injury or a sudden attack of pain.
  • tendinopathyA painful tendon problem, often linked to more load than the tendon could cope with, which leads to pain and reduced function.
  • cryotherapyTreatment with cold, such as an ice pack, a cold compress or ice massage, often used to reduce pain and swelling after an injury.

More terms: Musculoskeletal Conditions

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