Medical terms can be a mouthful, even forphysical therapists (PTs). To keep things simple, they often abbreviate terms when speaking or writing notes. If you don’t know what the shortened terms mean, it’s important to ask so that you understand what has been ordered and participate more actively in your recovery plan.
This article includes a list of abbreviations that physical therapists commonly use when speaking or writing notes. Learning them can help you better understand yourrehabilitation programand what the notations in your physical therapy report mean.
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Types of Abbreviations
Abbreviations are used for many reasons in physical therapy:
If you don’t know what a word means in your physical therapy or rehab notes, ask your PT about it. And if they use a term you don’t know when talking to you, ask them to explain it.
Physical Therapy Abbreviations (A-Z)
Use this resource to review the most common abbreviations in physical therapy and their meanings:
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
W
Summary
Physical therapists use many different abbreviations when discussing treatment or writing reports. Understanding the terminology can help you gain a fuller understanding of your rehabilitation program and program results. Ask your therapist if you have any questions regarding your treatment.
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