Hello friends - Happy Friday! There are several important abbreviations that physical therapists use on a daily basis for documentation, interpreting patients’ medical charts, and communicating with colleagues and various health professionals. I have compiled an extensive list of some of the abbreviations, acronyms, and shorthand terms that you will begin to see during physical therapy school, and you should be familiar with them for your classes, clinical rotations, and future career in this profession. I hope you find this list to be helpful!
Click here for a downloadable version of this list!
I will continue to add new terms to this list over time, so be sure to check back every once in a while for the most up-to-date version!!
LATEST UPDATE: JUNE 8, 2023
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1RM: 1 Repetition Maximum
2MWT: 2-Minute Walk Test
4WW: Four-Wheeled Walker
6MWT: 6-Minute Walk Test
A
A/P: Anterior/Posterior
AA: Atlantoaxial
AAA: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
AAROM: Active Assisted Range of Motion
ABD: Abduction
ABG: Arterial Blood Gas
ABI: Ankle-Brachial Index
AC: Acromioclavicular
Ach: Acetylcholine
ACL: Anterior Cruciate Ligament
AD: Assistive Device or Autonomic Dysreflexia
ADD: Adduction
ADH: Antidiuretic Hormone
ADL: Activities of Daily Living
ADM: Abductor Digiti Minimi
AE: Above Elbow
AIMS: Alberta Infant Motor Scale
AIS: ASIA Impairment Scale
AFO: Ankle Foot Orthosis
AKA: Above Knee Amputation
ALL: Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
ALS: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
AMA: Against Medical Advice or American Medical Association
AMB: Ambulation
AMS: Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita
ANOVA: Analysis of Variance
ANS: Autonomic Nervous System
Ant: Anterior
APB: Abductor Pollicis Brevis
APGAR: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration
APL: Abductor Pollicis Longus
APR: Active, Passive, and Resisted (Motions)
APTA: American Physical Therapy Association
ARDS: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
ARF: Acute Renal Failure
AROM: Active Range of Motion
ASA: Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)
ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASIA: American Spinal Injury Association
ASIS: Anterior Superior Iliac Spine
ASLR: Active Straight Leg Raise
ATFL: Anterior Talofibular Ligament
ATNR: Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
AVN: Avascular Necrosis
B
B or Bil: Bilateral
BBP: Bloodborne Pathogen
BBS: Berg Balance Scale
BE: Below Elbow
BFR: Blood Flow Restriction
BG: Basal Ganglia
BID: Twice a Day
BK: Below Knee
BKA: Below Knee Amputation
BMD: Becker Muscular Dystrophy
BMI: Body Mass Index
BMP: Basic Metabolic Panel
BNP: Brain Natriuretic Peptide
BOS: Base of Support
BOT-2: Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (Second Edition)
BP: Blood Pressure
BPD: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
BPI: Brief Pain Inventory
BPM: Beats per Minute or Breaths per Minute
BPPV: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
BSID-3: Bailey Scale of Infant and Toddler Development
BTB: Bone-Tendon-Bone
BVL: Bilateral Vestibular Loss
BWSTT: Bodyweight Supported Treadmill Training
C
C/o: Complaint of
C/S: Cervical Spine
Ca: Cancer
CABG: Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
CAD: Coronary Artery Disease or Cervical Artery Dissection
CAI: Chronic Ankle Instability
Canc, Canx, or Cx: Cancelled
CAPTE: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
CBC: Complete Blood Count
CC: Chief Complaint
CCF: Craniocervical Flexion
CCFT: Craniocervical Flexion Test
CCS: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Certified Specialist or Central Cord Syndrome
CCU: Coronary Care Unit
CCVT: Certified Clinical Vestibular Therapist
CDT: Complete Decongestive Therapy
CF: Cystic Fibrosis
CFL: Calcaneofibular Ligament
CFMT: Certified Functional Manual Therapist
CFRT: Cervical Flexion-Rotation Test
CGA: Contact Guard Assist
CHAQ: Child Health Assessment Questionnaire
CHF: Congestive Heart Failure
CHT: Certified Hand Therapist
CI: Clinical Instructor or Confidence Interval
CIMT: Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
CK: Creatine Kinase
CKC: Closed Kinetic Chain
CKMB: Creatine Kinase-MB
CL: Contralateral
CLT: Certified Lymphedema Therapist
CMC: Carpometacarpal
CMT: Congenital Muscular Torticollis
CN: Cranial Nerve
CNS: Central Nervous System
CO: Cardiac Output
Co-CXN: Co-Contraction
COG: Center of Gravity
COMT: Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist
COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
CP: Cardiopulmonary, Chest Pain, or Cerebral Palsy
CPAP: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
CPG: Clinical Practice Guidelines or Central Pattern Generator
CPK: Creatine Phosphokinase
CPM: Continuous Passive Motion
CPP: Cerebral Perfusion Pressure or Closed Packed Position
CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or Clinical Prediction Rule
CRP: C-Reactive Protein
CRPS: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
CS: Cervical Spine
CSCS: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
CSF: Cerebrospinal Fluid
CT: Chemotherapy or Connective Tissue
CT Scan: Computerized Tomography Scan
CTJ: Cervicothoracic Junction
CTS: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
CTx: Cervical Traction
CV: Cardiovascular
CVA: Cerebrovascular Accident
CVD: Cardiovascular Disease
CVI: Chronic Venous Insufficiency
CVT: Clinical Vestibular Therapist
CXN: Contraction
CXR: Chest X-Ray
D
D/c: Discharge
D/t: Due to
DAFO: Dynamic Ankle Foot Orthosis
DAME: Drugs and Alcohol Use, Age-Related Physiologic Problems, Medical Problems, and Environment
DASH: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand
DB: Dumbbell
DCD: Developmental Coordination Disorder
DCML: Dorsal Column Medial Lemniscus
DDD: Degenerative Disc Disease
DDX: Differential Diagnosis
DEC: Decreased
DF: Dorsiflexion
DGA: Dynamic Gaze Assessment
DGI: Dynamic Gait Index
DH or DHx: Drug History
DHI: Dizziness Handicap Inventory
DIP: Distal Interphalangeal (Joint)
DJD: Degenerative Joint Disease
DL: Double Leg
DLCO: Diffusing Capacity of the Lungs
DM: Diabetes Mellitus
DMD: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
DNR: Do Not Resuscitate
DOB: Date of Birth
DOE: Dyspnea on Exertion
DOF: Degrees of Freedom
DOS: Date of Surgery
DRG: Dorsal Root Ganglion
DS: Down Syndrome or Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
DSCT: Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract
DSD-DH: Detrusor Sphincter Dyssynergia with Detrusor Hyperreflexia
DTR: Deep Tendon Reflex
DVA: Dynamic Visual Acuity
DVT: Deep Vein Thrombosis
Dz: Disease
E
EAO: External Abdominal Oblique
EBP: Evidence-Based Practice
EC: Eyes Closed
ECF: Extracellular Fluid
ECG or EKG: Electrocardiogram
ECM: Extracellular Matrix
ECRB: Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis
ECRL: Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus
ECU: Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
ED: Extensor Digitorum or Emergency Department
EDB: Extensor Digitorum Brevis
EDL: Extensor Digitorum Longus
EDM: Extensor Digiti Minimi
EDSS: Expanded Disability Status Scale
EDV: End Diastolic Volume
EF: Ejection Fraction or Endfeel
EHL: Extensor Hallucis Longus
ELAP: Early Learning Accomplishment Profile
EMG: Electromyography
EO: Eyes Open
EOB: Edge of Bed
EOR: End of Range
EPB: Extensor Pollicis Brevis
EPL: Extensor Pollicis Longus
ER: External Rotation
ERA: Effective Radiating Area
ERV: Expiratory Reserve Volume
ESR: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
ESRD: End-Stage Renal Disease
Estim or ES: Electrical Stimulation
ESV: End Systolic Volume
ETOH: Ethyl Alcohol
EV or EVER: Eversion
Ex: Exercise
EXT: Extension
F
F/b: Followed By or Forward/Backward
F/u: Follow Up
FA: Forearm
FAAM: Foot and Ankle Ability Measures
FAAOMPT: Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists
FABER: Flexion, Abduction, and External Rotation
FABQ: Fear-Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire
FADDIR: Flexion, Adduction, and Internal Rotation
FAIS: Femoracetabular Impingement Syndrome
FAS: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
FCR: Flexor Carpi Radialis
FCU: Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
FDB: Flexor Digitorum Brevis
FDL: Flexor Digitorum Longus
FDM: Flexor Digiti Minimi
FDMB: Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis
FDP: Flexor Digitorum Profundus
FDS: Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
FES: Functional Electrical Stimulation
FEV1: Forced Vital Capacity in 1 Second
FF: Forward Flexion or Forefoot
FFI: Foot Functional Index
FGA: Functional Gait Assessment
FHB: Flexor Hallucis Brevis
FHL: Flexor Hallucis Longus
FHP: Forward Head Posture
FIM: Functional Independence Measure
FiO2: Fraction of Inspired Oxygen
FLEX: Flexion
FNE: Free Nerve Endings
FOGQ: Freezing of Gait Questionnaire
FOOSH: Fall on an Outstretched Hand
FOTO: Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes
FPB: Flexor Pollicis Brevis
FPL: Flexor Pollicis Longus
FRC: Functional Residual Capacity
FRO: Floor Reaction Orthosis
FRT: Functional Reach Test
FSHMD: Facioscapulo Humeral Muscular Dystrophy
FSST: Four Square Step Test
FVC: Forced Vital Capacity
FWB: Full Weight Bearing
FWW: Front Wheel Walker
Fx: Fracture
G
G/S: Gastrocnemius/Soleus Complex
GAGs: Glycosaminoglycans
GAS: Goal Attainment Scale
GBS: Guillain Barre Syndrome
GCS: Glasgow Coma Scale or Geriatric Certified Specialist
GH: Glenohumeral
GI: Gastrointestinal
GIRD: Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit
GMFCS: Gross Motor Function Classification System
GMFM: Gross Motor Function Measure
GSA: General Somatic Afferent
GSE: General Somatic Efferent
GTO: Golgi Tendon Organ
GTPS: Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
GVA: General Visceral Afferent
GVE: General Visceral Efferent
GU: Genitourinary
H
H/o: History of
H&H: Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
H&P: History and Physical Examination
HA: Headache
HABIT: Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training
HAGOS: Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score
Hb: Hemoglobin
Hct: Hematocrit
HDL: High Density Lipoprotein
HEP: Home Exercise Program
HF: Heart Failure
HHS: Harris Hip Score
HIE: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HKAFO: Hip-Knee-Ankle Foot Orthosis
HNP: Herniated Nucleus Pulposus
HO: Heterotopic Ossification
HOB: Head of Bed
HOOS: Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score
HOS: Hip Outcome Score
Horiz ABD: Horizontal Abduction
Horiz ADD: Horizontal Adduction
HPI: History of Present Illness
HR: Heart Rate
HRAM: Hold Relax Active Motion
HTN: Hypertension
Hx: History
I
I: Independent
I&O: Intake and Output
IA: Intra-Abdominal
IAO: Internal Abdominal Oblique
IAP: Intra-Abdominal Pressure or Inferior Articular Process
IASTM: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
IC: Intermittent Catheterization, Initial Contact, or Intercarpal
ICF: International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health or Intracellular Fluid
ICP: Intracranial Pressure
ICU: Intensive Care Unit
IDDM: Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEP: Individual Education Program
IFSP: Individual Family Service Plan
IKDC: International Knee Documentation Committee
IM: Intramuscular
IMP: Inferior, Medial, and Posterior
INC: Increased
INR: International Normalized Ratio
Inv: Inversion
IP: Inpatient or Interphalangeal
IPF: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
IPS: Ipsilateral
IPSP: Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential
IPV: Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation
IR: Internal Rotation
IRB: Institutional Review Board
IRV: Inspiratory Reserve Volume
IS: Incentive Spirometry
ISCoS: International Spinal Cord Society
ISw: Initial Swing
ITB: Iliotibial Band
IV: Intravenous or Intervertebral
IVC: Intermittent Vascular Claudication
IVF: Intervertebral Foramen
IVH: Intraventricular Hemorrhage
J
JASI: Juvenile Arthritis Functional Status Index
JCAHO: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
JRA: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Jt: Joint
K
KAFO: Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis
L
L: Left
L/S: Lumbar Spine
LA: Left Atrium
LAQ: Long Arc Quad
Lat: Lateral
LBP: Low Back Pain
LBQC: Large Base Quad Cane
LCL: Lateral Collateral Ligament
LCST: Lateral Corticospinal Tract
LDL: Low Density Lipoprotein
LE: Lower Extremity
LEFS: Lower Extremity Function Scale
Lig: Ligament
LLQ: Left Lower Quadrant
LMJA: Longitudinal Midtarsal Joint Axis
LMN: Lower Motor Neuron
LOA: Level of Assist
LOS: Length of Stay or Limits of Stability
LR: Loading Response
LS: Lumbar Spine or Long Sit
LSO: Lumbosacral Orthosis
LSVT: Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT BIG)
LTG: Long Term Goal
LUQ: Left Upper Quadrant
LV: Left Ventricle
LVAD: Left Ventricular Assistive Device
M
M/H: Medical History
MABP: Mean Arterial Blood Pressure
MACS: Manual Ability Classification System
Manips: Manipulations
MAS: Modified Ashworth Scale
MaxA: Maximum Assistance
MC: Metacarpal
MCL: Medial Collateral Ligament
MCP: Metacarpophalangeal
MCTSIB: Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance
MD: Medical Doctor or Muscular Dystrophy
Med: Medial
MEP: Maximum Expiratory Pressure
MET: Muscle Energy Technique or Metabolic Equivalent
MFIS: Modified Fatigue Impact Scale
MFR: Myofascial Release
MG: Myasthenia Gravis
MI: Myocardial Infarction
MinA: Minimum Assistance
MIP: Maximum Inspiratory Pressure
MLF: Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus
Mm: Muscle
MMT: Manual Muscle Test
Mobs: Mobilizations
Mod I: Modified Independent
ModA: Moderate Assistance
MODS: Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome
MOI: Mechanism of Injury
MPD: Myofascial Pain Dysfunction
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRSA: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
MS: Multiple Sclerosis
MSK: Musculoskeletal
MSt: Mid-Stance
MSw: Mid-Swing
MT: Metatarsal
MTP: Metatarsophalangeal
MUGA: Multigated Acquisition (Imaging)
MV: Minute Ventilation
MVA: Motor Vehicle Accident
Mvmt, Movt, or Mvt: Movement
MVO2: Myocardial Volume Oxygen Consumption
MWM: Mobilization with Movement
N
N/T: Numbness and Tingling
N/V: Nausea and Vomiting
NAG: Natural Apophyseal Glide
NAS: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
NCV: Nerve Conduction Velocity
NDI: Neck Disability Index
NDT: Neurological Developmental Technique or Neuro-Developmental Treatment
NG: Nasogastric
NE: Norepinephrine
NEC: Necrotizing Enterocolitis
NIDDM: Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
NM: Neuromuscular
NMES: Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Nn: Nerve
NP: Nucleus Pulposus
NPO: Nothing by Mouth
NPRS: Numeric Pain Rating Scale
NPTE: National Physical Therapy Examination
NSAID: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
NSR: Normal Sinus Rhythm
NSTEMI: Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
NTT: Neuromotor Task Training
NWB: Non-Weight Bearing
O
OA: Osteoarthritis
OBRA: Omnibus Reconciliation Act
OCS: Orthopedic Certified Specialist
ODI: Oswestry Disability Index
ODM: Opponens Digiti Minimi
OH: Overhead
OKC: Open Kinetic Chain
OMJA: Oblique Midtarsal Joint Axis
OOB: Out of Bed
OP: Outpatient, Overpressure, or Operation
OPP: Open Packed Position
OPQRST: Onset, Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, and Time
ORIF: Open Reduction and Internal Fixation
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OT: Occupational Therapist/Therapy
P
P: Pulse
P!: Pain
PAC: Premature Atrial Contraction
PAD: Peripheral Arterial Disease
PAIVM: Passive Accessory Intervertebral Movement
PAM: Passive Accessory Movement
PCA: Patient Controlled Analgesia (Pump)
PCL: Posterior Cruciate Ligament
PCP: Primary Care Physician
PCS: Pediatric Certified Specialist
PD: Progressive Disease, Provisional Diagnosis, or Parkinson’s Disease
PDMS-2: Peabody Developmental Motor Scale
PE: Pulmonary Embolus
PEDI: Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory
PEEP: Positive End Expiratory Pressure
PEFR: Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
PF: Plantar Flexion
PFFD: Proximal Focal Femoral Deficiency
PFS: Patellofemoral Syndrome
PFT: Pulmonary Function Test
PGOGOQ: Piriformis, Gemellus Superior, Obturator Internus, Gemellus Inferior, Obturator Externus, and Quadratus Femoris
PGs: Proteoglycans
PICC: Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter
PICO: Person, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome
PID: Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PIP: Peak Inspiratory Pressure or Proximal Interphalangeal (Joint)
PLB: Pursed Lip Breathing
PLCC: Posterior-Lateral Corner Complex
PLL: Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
PLOF: Prior Level of Function
PLT: Platelets
PMH or PMHx: Past Medical History
PNF: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
PNS: Parasympathetic Nervous System
PO: By Mouth
PO2: Partial Pressure of Oxygen
Post: Posterior
POTS: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
POV: Power Operated Vehicle
PPIVM: Passive Physiological Intervertebral Movement
PPM: Passive Physiological Movement
PPPP: Peripartum Posterior Pelvic Pain
PPQ: Pediatric Pain Questionnaire
PPS: Post-Polio Syndrome
PRN: As Needed
PRO: Pronation
PROM: Passive Range of Motion
Prox: Proximal
PRVC: Pressure Regulated Volume Control
PSIS: Posterior Superior Iliac Spine
PSw: Pre-Swing
PT: Physical Therapist
Pt: Patient
PTA: Physical Therapy Assistant
PTFL: Posterior Talofibular Ligament
PTTD: Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
PVC: Premature Ventricular Contraction
PVD: Peripheral Vascular Disease
PVL: Periventricular Leukomalacia
PWB: Partial Weight Bearing
Q
Q2h: Every 2 hours
qAM: Every Morning
QC: Quad Cane
QD: Every Day
qHS: Every Bedtime
QID: Four Times a Day
QL: Quadratus Lumborum
QOD: Every Other Day
QOL: Quality of Life
qPM: Every Evening
R
R: Right
R/o: Rule Out
RA: Rheumatoid Arthritis or Right Atrium
RAAS: Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System
RACE: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, and Extinguish
RAS: Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation
RBC: Red Blood Cell
RC or RTC: Rotator Cuff
RCT: Randomized Control Trial or Rotator Cuff Tear
RD: Radial Deviation
RDS: Respiratory Distress Syndrome
RF: Rectus Femoris, Rearfoot, or Rheumatoid Factor
RGO: Reciprocal Gait Orthosis
RI: Resisted Isometrics
RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation
RLD: Restrictive Lung Disease
RLQ: Right Lower Quadrant
ROM: Range of Motion
ROP: Retinopathy of Prematurity
ROS: Review of Systems
ROT: Rotation
RPE: Rate of Perceived Exertion
RR: Respiratory Rate
RRR: Regularly Regular Rhythm
RT: Respiratory Therapist/Therapy
RUQ: Right Upper Quadrant
RV: Right Ventricle or Residual Volume
RW: Rolling Walker
Rx: Treatment
S
S: Without
S/b: Seen By
S/p: Status Post
S/s: Signs and Symptoms
SAD: Subacromial Decompression
SAI: Subacromial Impingement
SAL: Superior, Anterior, and Lateral
SAP: Superior Articular Process
SAQ: Short Arc Quad
SB: Sidebend or Spina Bifida
SBA: Stand by Assist
SBAR: Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation
SBQC: Small Base Quad Cane
SBST: STarT Back Screening Tool
SC: Straight Cane, Spinal Cord, or Sternoclavicular
SCFE: Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
SCI: Spinal Cord Injury
SCM: Sternocleidomastoid
SD: Standard Deviation or Serial Dependency
SES: Socioeconomic Status
SI: Sensory Integration or Sacroiliac
SIJ: Sacroiliac Joint
SIMV: Synchronous Intermittent Mechanical Ventilation
SINSS: Severity, Irritability, Nature, Stage, and Stability
SKTC: Single Knee to Chest
SL: Sidelying or Single Leg
SLAP: Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior
SLE: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
SLP: Speech-Language Pathologist
SLR: Straight Leg Raise
SLS: Single Leg Stance
SMA: Spinal Muscular Atrophy
SMO: Supramalleolar Orthosis
Sn: Sensitivity
SNAG: Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide
SNF: Skilled Nursing Facility
SNS: Sympathetic Nervous System
SOAP: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan
SOB: Shortness of Breath
SORT: Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy
SOT: Sensory Organization Test
Sp: Specificity
SP: Spinous Process
SPADI: Shoulder Pain and Disability Index
SPC: Single Point Cane
SPD: Sensory Processing Disorder
SpO2: Oxygen Saturation
SQ: Subcutaneous
STEMI: ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
STG: Short Term Goal
STJ: Subtalar Joint
STM: Soft Tissue Mobilization
STNR: Symmetrical Tonic Reflex
STREAM: Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement
STS: Sit to Stand
STT: Selective Tissue Tension
SUP: Supination
SVE: Special Visceral Efferent
SVT: Supraventricular Tachycardia
SW: Standard Walker
T
T: Temperature
T/S: Thoracic Spine
TA: Transversus Abdominis
TAA: Thoracic Aorta Aneurysm
TAR: Total Ankle Replacement
TB: Theraband or Tuberculosis
TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury
TC: Tactile Cues/Tactile Cueing
TCJ: Talocrural Joint
TCO: Total Contact Orthosis
TDWB: Touch Down Weight Bearing
TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation
TFCC: Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex
TFL: Tensor Fascia Latae
TFM: Transverse Friction Massage
TGMD-2: Test of Gross Motor Development
THA: Total Hip Arthroplasty
Ther Ex: Therapeutic Exercise
TIA: Transient Ischemic Attack
TID: Three Times a Day
TKA: Total Knee Arthroplasty
TLC: Total Lung Capacity
TLR: Tonic Labyrinth Reflex
TLSO: Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Orthosis
TM: Treadmill
TMJ: Temporomandibular Joint
TOS: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
TP: Trigger Point or Transverse Process
TPA: Tissue Plasminogen Activator
TPR: Trigger Point Release
Trxn: Traction
TS: Thoracic Spine
TSt: Terminal Stance
TSw: Terminal Swing
TTP: Tenderness to Palpation
TTS: Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
TTWB: Toe Touch Weight Bearing
TUG: Timed Up and Go
TV: Tidal Volume
U
UBE: Upper Body Ergometer
UD: Ulnar Deviation
UE: Upper Extremity
ULPT: Upper Limb Provocation Test
ULTT: Upper Limb Tension Test
UMN: Upper Motor Neuron
UPDRS: United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale
URI: Upper Respiratory Infection
US: Ultrasound
UTI: Urinary Tract Infection
UVL: Unilateral Vestibular Loss
V
V-P: Ventriculoperitoneal
V/Q: Ventilation/Perfusion Ratio
VAS: Visual Analog Scale
VBI: Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency
VC: Vital Capacity or Verbal Cues/Verbal Cueing
VMO: Vastus Medialis Oblique
VO2: Oxygen Consumption
VOR: Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex
VPL: Ventral Posterolateral Nucleus
VSCT: Ventral Spinocerebellar Tract
VSR: Vestibulo-Spinal Reflex
VSS: Vital Signs are Stable
VTE: Venous Thromboembolism
W
WAD: Whiplash Associated Disorders
WB: Weight Bearing
WBAT: Weight Bearing as Tolerated
WBC: White Blood Cell
WC: Wheelchair
WFL: Within Functional Limits
Wt or Wgt: Weight
WNL: Within Normal Limits
WOMAC: Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index
WW: Wheeled Walker
Y
Y/o: Years Old
Z
ZAJ or Z-Joint: Zygapophysial Joint
Thanks for reading, I hope you found this post helpful! Don’t forget to download the printable version I made so you can have these abbreviations handy whenever you need to reference them! If you would like for me to add any additions to this list, please leave them in a comment below :)