Abbreviations in physiotherapy

Original Editor - Ruairi O'Donohoe

Top Contributors - Garima Gedamkar, Ruairi O'Donohoe, Rewan Elsayed Elkanafany, Karen Wilson, Kim Jackson, Ewa Jaraczewska, Lauren Heydenrych, Scott Buxton, Aminat Abolade, Venkata Nagaraj Mummadisetty, Leana Louw and Lucinda hampton  

Introduction

Abbreviations assist healthcare professionals to streamline documentation and make more effective use of their time. These abbreviations should be recognised and agreed upon in order to ensure clear communication and prevent avoidable errors in patient care.

Abbreviations

Approved abbreviations may vary widely by facility, area of practice, and geographical location. Below is a list of commonly used abbreviations that are relevant to physiotherapy practice.

It is important to note however, that there are some exceptions, where abbreviations should not be used. These include:

• Patient's name and resuscitation status
• Drug names
• Patient/Service user names
• 'Right' or 'Left' - Except when used as part of an approved abbreviation
• +++, > or < - Unless used as part of an official grading system

Abbreviations should never be used on:

1. A consent form or
2. On an incident report

Units:

Centimeter	cm
Gram	g
Kilocalorie	kcal
Kilogram	Kg
Litre	L
Milligram	mg
Millilitre	ml
Millimetre	mm
Millimole	Mmol

Frequency and time:

b.d./b.i.d.	Twice daily
Mane	In the morning
Nocte	At night
p.r.n.	When required
q.d.s./q.i.d.	Four times daily
STAT	Immediately
Tarde	In the evening
t.d.s./t.i.d.	Three times daily
h	Hour
Mins.	Minute
s	second

Routes of Administration:

IV	Intravenously
IM	Intramuscularly
NG	Nasogastric
PEG	Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrotomy
PO	Per Oral (oral by mouth)
PV	Per vaginal
SC	Subcutaneously
PR	Per Rectum
SL	Sublingually

A

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
AAA	Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
AAROM	active assist range of motion
ABD	abduction
ABG	Arterial blood gas
ACDF	anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
ACL	anterior cruciate ligament
ACTH	adrenocorticotropic hormone
ACJ	acromioclavicular joint
ACS	Acute coronary syndrome
AD	assistive device
ADD	adduction
ADL	activities of daily living
AFO	ankle foot orthosis
AIDS	acquired immune deficiency syndrome
ASIS	Anterior superior iliac spine
AKA	above knee amputation
ALS	amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
AMS	altered mental status
AMA	against medical advice
Amb	ambulation
Ant	anterior
A/P	anterior-posterior
Ab	Antibody
ACE	Angiotensin converting enzyme
ADH	Anti-diuretic hormone
ADHD	Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
AF, Afib	Atrial fibrillation
AR	acute rehabilitation
AROM	active range of motion

B

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
B	bilateral
BEA	below elbow amputation
BKA	below knee amputation
BOS	base of support
BP	blood pressure
bpm	beats per minute

C

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
c (with a line over it)	with
C0/C1	Atlanto-axial joint
C1-7	Cervical vertebrae 1-7
CABG	Coronary artery bypass graft
CAD	Coronary artery disease
Cal	Calorie
CBC	Complete blood count
CC	chief complaint, current complaint
CCA	Common carotid artery
CCU	Coronary care unit
CES	Cauda equina syndrome
CFS	Chronic fatigue syndrome
CGA	Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment or Contact Guard Assist
CHF	Congestive heart failure
c/o	Complains of
CO	Cardiac output
CO2	Carbon dioxide
COTA	Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
CN	cranial nerve
COPD	Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CPAP	Continuous positive airway pressure
CPM	continuous passive motion machine
CPR	Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation
creps	Crepitations
CRF	Chronic renal failure
CSF	Cerebrospinal fluid
CT	Computerised tomography
CTO	cervicothoracic orthosis
CTS	Carpal tunnel syndrome
CTx	cervical traction
CVA	Cerebrovascular accident
CVP	Central venous pressure

D

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
DASH	Disability of arm, shoulder, hand
D/C	Discharge
DBP	diastolic blood pressure
DDx	Differential diagnosis
DDD	Degenerative disc disorder
Dec	Decreased
DF	Dorsiflexion
DHS	Dynamic hip screw
DI	Diabetes Insipidus
DJD	Degenerative joint disease
DM	Diabetes mellitus
DOB	Date of birth
DOE	Dyspnoea on exertion

E

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
ECG	electrocardiogram
ED	emergency department
EEG	electroencephalogram, electroencephalograph
EMG	electromyogram, electromyography
EOB	edge of bed
ER	external rotation
EVD	extraventricular drain
Ext	extension
Ev	eversion

F

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
Fx	Fracture
FFH	fall from height
FVC	Forced vital capacity
FWB	Full weight bearing
F/U	Follow up
FSH	Follicle stimulating hormone
FRC	Functional residual capacity
Flex	Flexion
FIM	Functional independence measure
FHS	Foetal heart sounds
FHR	Foetal heart rate
FEV	Forced expiratory volume
FEV1	Forced expiratory volume in one second
FET	Forced expiratory technique
FES	Functional electrical stimulation
FAS	fetal alcohol syndrome
FWW	front-wheeled walker

G

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
GCS	Glasgow coma scale
GBS	Guilllain-Barré Syndrome
GDM	Gestational diabetes mellitus
GFR	Glomerular filtration rate
GFSH	Growth factor stimulating hormone
GH	Growth hormone
GHJ	glenohumeral joint
GMFCS	Gross Motor Function Classification Scale
GRH	Growth releasing hormone
GTT	Glucose tolerance test
GSW	gunshot wound

H

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
Hb	Haemoglobin
HIV	Human immunodeficiency virus
HIVD	Herniated intervertebral disc
H/O	History of
HO	heterotrophic ossification
HOB	head of bed
HR	Heart rate
HRT	Hormone replacement therapy
HS	Heart sounds
H Sit.	High sitting
Ht	Height
HTN	Hypertension
Hx	History
HGH	Human growth hormone
Hep A, B, C	Hepatitis A, B, C
HEP	Home exercise program
HDL	High density lipoprotein
HCV	Hepatitis C virus
HKFO	hip-knee-ankle-foot arthosis
H&C	Huff and cough
HH	home health
HI	Head injury
HBV	Hepatitis B Virus
HBH	hand behind head
HBB	Hand behind back

I

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
I	Independence
Ig	Immunoglobulin
I:E	Inspiratory:expiratory (ratio)
ICU	Intensive Care Unit
ICS	Intercostal space
ICP	Intracranial pressure
ICD	Intercostal drain
ICA	Internal carotid artery
I&D	incision and drainage
IFC	Interferential current
Inf.	Inferior
IMV	Intermittent mandatory ventilation
Inv.	Inversion
IPPV	Intermittent positive pressure ventilation
IPPR	Intermittent positive pressure respiration
IVC	Inferior vena cava
IPPB	Intermittent positive pressure breathing
IFC	interferential current
IVSD	Interventricular septal defect
IVD	Intervertebral disc
IP	inpatient
IR	internal rotation
IRDS	Infant respiratory distress syndrome
IRF	inpatient rehabilitation facility
IRV	Inspiratory reserve volume
ISC	Intermittent self catheterisation
ISWT	Incremental Shuttle Walk Test
ITB	Iliotibial band
I/T	Intermittent

J

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
JCA	Juvenile chronic arthritis
JDM	Juvenile diabetes mellitus
JRA	Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
jt	joint
JVP	jagular venous pressure

K

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
KAFO	knee ankle foot orthosis

L

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
L 1-5	Lumbar vertebrae 1-5
LBP	Low back pain
LBQC	large-based quad cane
LBW	Low birth weight
LCL	Lateral collateral ligament
LCM	Left costal margin
LDL	Low-Density-Lipoprotein type
LE	lower extremity
LFT	Liver function test
LHF	Left heart failure
Ligs.	Ligaments
LOC	Loss of consciousness
LOW	Loss of weight
LP	Lumbar puncture
LTx	lumbar traction
LMN	lower motor neuron
LOS	length of stay
LSO	lumbrosacral orthosis
LTG	long-term goal

M

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
MAP	mean arterial pressure
MAS	Motor assessment scale
MaxA	Maximum assistance
MCA	Middle cerebral artery
MCP	Metacarpophalangeal
MD	Muscular dystrophy
MI	myocardial infarction
MinA	minimal assistance
Meds	Medications
M/L	Medial-lateral
Mhz	Megahertz
MFR	myofascial release
MMSE	Mini mental state examination
MMT	Manual muscle testing
ModA	moderate assistance
ModI	modified independence
MRI	Magnetic resonance imaging
MTP, MTrP	myofascial trigger point
MTP	Metatarsophalangeal
MVA	Motor vehicle accident
MVD	Mitral valve disease
MS	multiple sclerosis
MCL	medial collateral ligament

N

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
NBM	Nil by Mouth
NAD	No abnormality detected
NCV	Nerve conduction study
Neb.	Nebuliser/nebulised
NIBP	Non-invasive blood pressure
NICU	Neonatal intensive care unit
NIDDM	Not insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
NIHSS	National Institute of Health Stroke Scale
NIMV	Non invasive mask ventilation
NIPV	Non invasive pressure ventilation
NP	Non productive
NPO	nothing by mouth
NT	not tested
NMES	neuromuscular electrical stimulation
NWB	Non weight bearing
NSMDA	Neurosensory Motor Developmental Assessment
NDT	neurodevelopmental technique

-

O

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
O2	Oxygen
OPD	Outpatients Department
Ortho.	Orthopaedics
OA	osteoarthritis
ORIF	open reduction, internal fixation
OOB	out of bed
OT	Occupational Therapy

P

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
p (with a line over it)	after
P	poor (used in muscle testing)
Paed	Paediatrics
P/A	posterior/anterior
para	paraplegia
PCL	posterior cruciate ligament
PEEP	positive end expiratory pressure
PF	plantar flexion
PMHx	past medical history
PNF	proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
PNI	peripheral nerve injury
POC	plan of care
POMR	problem-oriented medical record
post.	posterior
post-op	after surgery
PRE	progressive resistive exercise
pre-op	before operation
PROM	passive range of motion
PSIS	posterior superior iliac spine
PTB	patellar tendon bearing
pt	patient
PT	physiotherapy/ physical therapy, physiotherapist/ physical therapist
PTA	physical therapist assistant
PVC	premature ventricular contractions
PVD	peripheral vascular disease
PWB	partial weight bearing
PD	Parkinson's Disease
PDMS	Peabody Developmental Motor Scale
PE	pulmonary embolism
PEDI	Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory
PEEP	Positive end expiratory pressure
PEFR	Peak expiratory flow rate
PENS	Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulator
PFR	Peak flow rate
PFT	Pulmonary function test
PICA	Posterior inferior cerebral artery
PIP	Proximal interphalangeal

Q

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
quad.	Quadraplegia
quads.	Quadriceps

R

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
ROM	Range Of Movement
RA	Rheumatoid arthritis
Rehab –	rehabilitation
RDS -	Respiratory distress syndrome
Rh -ve -	Rhesus factor negative
Rh +ve -	Rhesus factor positive
RHD -	Rheumatic heart disease
R/O -	rule out
RR	Respiratory rate
RPE	Rating of percieved exertion
RTI	Respiratory tract infection

S

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
S	supervision
S1-5	Sacral vertebrae (1-5)
SpO2	Oxygen saturation
SAH	Subarachnoid haemorrhage
SBP	systolic blood pressure
SBA	stand by assistance
SBQC	small-based quad cane
SDH	Subdural haemorrhage/haematoma
SIJ	Sacroiliac joint
S/L	Side lying
SLAP	Superior labrum anterior-posterior lesion
SLE	Systemic lupus erythematosus
SLR	Straight leg raising
SLS	Single leg stance
s/p	status-post
SPC	Single point cane
STM	Soft tissue mobilization
STS	sit to stand
SVC	Superior vena cava
sx	surgery
SACH	solid ankle cushion heel
SCI	spinal cord injury
SCJ	sternoclavicular joint
SNF	skilled nursing facility
SOAP	– subjective, objective, assessment, plan
SOB	shortness of breath
STG	short-term goal
sup.	superior

T

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
TENS	Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
TFA	Transfemoral amputation
TFL	Tensor fasciae latae
Tx	Traction
THA	Total hip arthroplasty
THR	Total hip replacement
TIA	Transient ischaemic attack
TKA	Total knee arthroplasty
TKR	Total knee replacement
TLSO	thoracolumbrosacral orthosis
TLR	Tonic labyrinthine reflex
TMJ	temporomandibular joint
TNR	tonic neck reflex
TA, TrA	Transversus abdominis
TRH	Thyrotropin-releasing hormone
TSH	Thyroid stimulating hormone
TotalA	total assistance
TTA	Transtibial amputation
TTP	tenderness to palpation
TUG	Timed up and go
TV	Tidal volume
TBI	Traumatic brain injury
TB	Tuberculosis
T1-12	Thoracic vertebrae (1-12)

 U

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
UE	upper extremity
UVR	Ultraviolet radiation
US, U/S	Ultra sound
U/O	Urine output
UMN	Upper motor neuron
ULTT	Upper limb tension test
UTI	urinary tract infection

V

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
VAS	Visual Analogue Scale
VBI	Vertebrobasilar insufficiency
VC	Vital capacity
VEP	Visual evoked potential
VF	Ventricular fibrillation
VS	Vital signs

W

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
WB	Weight bearing
WBAT	weight bearing as tolerated
W/C	Wheelchair
wk	week
Wt	Weight
2WF	Two-wheeled frame
4WF	Four-wheeled frame
Wee-FIM	Paediatric functional independence measure
WFL	Within functional limits
WNL	Within normal limits
w/o	Without

Y

ABBREVIATION	DEFINITION
y/o	Years old