Anesthesia (local) - Anesthesia confined to one part of the body.
Anesthetic (epidural) - An anesthetic injected in the fluid-filled
sac (the dura) around the spine, which partially numbs the abdomen
and legs.
Ankylosis - Fusion of bones across a joint.
Anterior - The front or forward facing direction. (Your mouth is on the anterior portion of your skull.)
Antibiotic - A chemical substance produced by a microorganism which has the capacity, in dilute solutions, to inhibit the growth of or to kill infectious germs.
Anti-inflammatory - something which decreases inflammation or swelling (e.g., ice, aspirin).
Anti-inflammatory Agent (non-steroidal) - Anti-inflammatory agents that are not steroids.They have painkiller and fever reducing actions.
Anti-inflammatory Agent (steroidal) - Agents capable of suppressing or counteracting the inflammatory process by acting on body mechanisms. They are used primarily in the treatment of chronic arthritic conditions and certain soft tissue disorders associated with pain and inflammation.
Arthralgia - Pain in a joint.
Arthritis - An inflammatory condition that affects joints. (e.g., rheumatism or gout). See Encyclopedia
Arthrocentesis - A procedure where by a needle in introduced into a joint space for the purpose of removing joint fluid. This procedure can also be therapeutic if an anesthetic or corticosteroid medication is injected into the joint during the procedure.
Arthrodesis - The surgical immobilization of a joint (joint fusion).
Arthropathy - Any disease that affects joints.
Arthroplasty - Partial or total replacement
of a joint with artificial components.
