2.10 Rehabilitation Terminology

Vocational rehabilitation professionals encounter various medical and psychological terms during the rehabilitation process. Understanding these terms helps professionals tailor their approach to a client’s specific needs, from recovery and medical intervention to work capacity assessments.

Key Terms:

1. Angioplasty – A procedure to widen narrowed arteries or veins, commonly used for arterial atherosclerosis. It involves a balloon catheter.

2. ASIA Impairment Scale – Used to classify spinal cord injuries (SCI) based on motor and sensory function, with categories A (Complete) to E (Normal).

3. Assistive Technology – Devices used to aid individuals with disabilities, enhancing their independent functioning.

4. Audiology – The study of hearing, balance, and related disorders. Audiologists treat hearing loss and prevent further damage.

5. Comorbidity – The presence of one or more diseases or disorders alongside a primary condition.

6. Ergonomics – The science of designing workplace conditions to match an individual's capabilities to reduce injury and improve safety and productivity.

7. Idiopathic – Diseases that arise spontaneously or from an unknown cause.

8. Massage Therapy – Techniques to manipulate soft tissues, aiming to normalize their function.

9. Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) – A state where no further medical improvement is expected, indicating full recovery or a medical plateau.

10. Nerve Conduction Velocity – The speed of electrochemical impulses traveling along neural pathways, which can be affected by age, sex, and medical conditions.

11. Neuro-ophthalmology – A specialized field combining neurology and ophthalmology to treat visual system disorders related to the brain.

12. Neuropsychological Assessment – The evaluation of cognition and behavior, often used for brain injuries or conditions like dementia.

13. Neuropsychology – The study of brain structures and functions as they relate to psychological processes and behavior.

14. Occupational Therapy – Therapy that helps people perform daily tasks through assessment and intervention.

15. Orthotics – The design and use of external devices (orthoses) to support or improve the neuromuscular and skeletal system.

16. Physiatrist – A doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), treating conditions affecting the muscles, bones, and nerves.

17. Physical Therapy – The use of physical methods (exercise, manual therapy) to improve mobility and function, especially after injuries.

18. Prosthesis – An artificial device used to replace a missing body part, restoring its functions.

19. Radiology – Medical imaging used for diagnosing and treating diseases, including X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.

20. Reflexive Response – An involuntary, instantaneous response to a stimulus, without conscious thought.

21. Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) – An individual's remaining ability to perform work or daily activities after an impairment.

22. Respondent Pain – Chronic pain developed through conditioned responses to stimuli (e.g., certain positions or environments).

23. Rheumatology – A branch of medicine dealing with rheumatic diseases like arthritis and autoimmune conditions.

24. Speech-Language Pathology – The study and treatment of speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders.

25. Threshold of Pain – The point at which a person begins to feel pain from an external stimulus, which varies per individual.

26. Work Conditioning – A program aimed at restoring the functional capacity necessary to return to work, focusing on strength, endurance, and mobility.

Quiz: Rehabilitation Process Terms

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the primary purpose of angioplasty?
   a) To treat hearing loss
   b) To widen narrowed arteries
   c) To treat musculoskeletal injuries
   d) To diagnose spinal cord injuries

2. Which scale is used to classify spinal cord injuries based on sensory and motor function?
   a) ASIA Impairment Scale
   b) Neuro-ophthalmology Assessment
   c) Rheumatology Scale
   d) Residual Functional Capacity

3. Which therapy focuses on helping individuals perform daily tasks despite impairments?
   a) Physical Therapy
   b) Massage Therapy
   c) Occupational Therapy
   d) Work Conditioning

4. What is the field of study focused on hearing and balance disorders?
   a) Rheumatology
   b) Audiology
   c) Neuropsychology
   d) Neuro-ophthalmology

5. Which condition is treated by a physiatrist?
   a) Skin disorders
   b) Brain tumors
   c) Spinal cord injuries
   d) Speech disorders

Short Answer Questions

6. What does the term "comorbidity" refer to?

7. What is the purpose of residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment?

8. What is a prosthesis used for?

9. What does work conditioning focus on restoring?

10. Which therapy involves the scientific manipulation of soft tissues to normalize function?

Answer Key

1. b) To widen narrowed arteries

2. a) ASIA Impairment Scale

3. c) Occupational Therapy

4. b) Audiology

5. c) Spinal cord injuries

6. The presence of one or more additional diseases or disorders occurring alongside a primary condition.

7. It assesses an individual’s remaining ability to perform work or daily activities after an impairment.

8. A prosthesis is used to replace a missing body part and restore its normal functions.

9. Work conditioning focuses on restoring functional capacity to work, including strength, endurance, and mobility.

10. Massage Therapy

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