Orthopaedics · Musculoskeletal System · Easy

Hyperextension

Meaning: Movement of a joint beyond its normal straight position, which can strain or tear supporting structures.

In practice: The footballer injured his knee ligaments through hyperextension during a tackle.

Word parts

Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.

Two questions on related orthopaedics words.

Which word means: Hidden; describes a fracture suspected clinically but not visible on initial radiographs.

Which word means: Buckle fracture with outward bulging of the cortex from axial compression, usually in a child.

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