Chapter 6:

Commonly Used Abbreviations

The abbreviations listed below do not represent a comprehensive listing, or an attempt to replace a medical dictionary. These abbreviations are often used by chiropractors , and originate in the following areas:

1. Commonly encountered diagnoses
1. Commonly used abbreviations describing patient symptomatology in daily or progress notes.
2. Commonly used anatomic abbreviations.

Note that some of the abbreviations can take on different meanings, depending upon the context. For example, the abbreviation "P" can mean either "pulse" or "treatment plan", depending upon its usage.

>: greater than	<: less than	Ð : arc
d : frequency	D : change	¯ : decreased
↑­ : increased	Æ : none, no	â : right
L : left	B : bilateral	~: approximately
1° : primary	2° : secondary	3° : tertiary
a.: before	A: assessment	a.c.: before meals
AAROM: active assisted range of motion	ab: abdominal	AC: acromioclavicular
ad feb.: fever present	ad int.: in the interim	ad lib.: as wanted
adj.: adjustment	adl: activities of daily living	agg: aggravate
ant.: anterior	AP: anteroposterior	AROM: active range of motion
AS: ankylosing spondylitis	b.i.d.: twice per day	B: bilateral
B/B: Bowel/bladder	BCP: birth control pills	BM: bowel movement
BP: blood pressure	BX: biopsy	c: with
c/o: complains of	C: cervical	CA: carcinoma
CB: contrast bath	CBC: complete blood count	CBR: complete bed rest
cerv: cervical	cmt: chiropractic manipulative therapy	COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP: cold packs	CP: cerebral palsy	cp: cervical pain
c-s: cervical spine	c-t: cervicothroacic	csa: chiropractic spinal adjustment
CT: computed tomography	ctd: cumulative trauma disorder	cts: carpal tunnel syndrome
CVA: cerebrovascular accident	CVP: central venous pressure	D: dorsal [syn. thoracic]
D/C: discontinue	DD: differential diagnosis	DDD: degenerative disc disease
DIP: distal interphalangeal joint	dimin: diminished	DJD: degenerative joint disease
DRG: dorsal root ganglion	DSLR: double straight leg raise	DTR: deep tendon reflex
Dx: diagnosis	ECG or EKG: electrocardiogram	EEG: electroencephalogram
EMG: electromyography	ems: electrical muscle stimulation	EPP: end point pain
ES: erector spinae muscles	ESI: epidural steroid injection	ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate
exacer: exacerbation	ext: extension	FBG/FBS: fasting blood glucose/sugar
FH: family history	fix: fixation	flex: flexion
FUO: fever of unknown origin	Fx: fracture	G-H: Gleno-humeral
GI: gastrointestinal	GU: genitourinary	HA: headache
Hb or Hgb: hemoglobin	Hct: hematocrit	HEENT or EENT: head/eyes,ears,nose,throat
hmp: hot moist packs	HNP: herniated nucleus pulposis	hpi: history of present illness
HR: heart rate	HTN: hypertension	hv: high volt
HVG: high volt galvanism	Hx: history	ice mass: ice massage
IF, IFC: interferential current	im: intermittent	imp: improved
inf.: inferior	iso: isometric	IT, IST: intersegmental traction
ITB: iliotibial band	IUD: intrauterine device	ivd: intervertebral disc
ivf: intervertebral foramen	JVP: jugular venous pressure	KJ: knee jerk
L or lum: lumbar	L or Lt: left	lat: lateral
LATX: long axis traction	LBP: lower back pain	lbp: lower back pain
LC: lower cervical	LD: lower dorsal	LE: lower extremity
llf: left lateral flexion	LLI: leg length inequality	LLQ: left lower quadrant
lm: lateral meniscus	LMN: lower motor neuron	lr: left rotation
lum or L: lumbar	L/S: lumbosacral	l-s: lumbar spine
LT: light touch [sensation]	LUQ: left upper quadrant	lv: low volt
m: muscle	mass: massage	mbp: midback pain
MCP: metacarpophalangeal joint	MCRC: maximum cervical rotatory compression	MCV: mean cell volume
med: medial	MI: myocardial infarction	MLR: maximum lifting restriction
mm.: muscles	mm: medial meniscus	mp: motion palpation
MTP: midthoracic pain or metatarsalphalangeal joint	MVA: motor vehicle accident	myo: muscle
n: nerve	nad: no abnormalities detected	NBM or NPO: nothing by mouth
NCV: nerve conduction velocity	NKC: no know cause	NKI: no known injury
n/l: normal limits	nn.: nerves	nr: nerve root
NSR: normal sinus rhythm	O: objective	OA: osteoarthritis
OB/GYN: obstetrics and gynecology	OC: oral contraceptive	oc: office call
occ.: occipital	occ.: occasional	OTC: over the counter
p: after	P: Plan	P: pulse
p.c.: after meals	p.r.n.: as needed	pap.: papanicolaou smear
PE: physical examination	PERRLA: pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation	PFA: patellofemoral arthralgia
PH: past history	phono: phonophoresis	PIP: proximal interphalangeal joint
PMI: point of maximum intensity	pn, px.: pain	PND: postnasal drainage
PNF: proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation	PPD: permanent partial disability	prn: whenever necessary; as needed
PROM: passive range of motion	PT: physical therapy	Pt. ed.: patient education
Pt., pt.: patient	PT: physical therapist	PVC: premature ventricular contraction
px, pn: pain	q.a.m.: every morning	q.d.: every day
q.h.: every hour	q.i.d.: four times per day	q.o.d.: every other day
q.p.m.: every afternoon/evening	QL: quadratus lumborum	R: respiration
RA: rheumatoid arthritis	rad: radiate, radiation	rlf: right lateral flexion
RLQ: right lower quadrant	RTW: return to work	RO, R/O: rule out
ROM: range of motion	rr: right rotation	RUQ: right upper quadrant
Rx: therapy or prescription	Rx: medication	s: without
S: subjective	S: sacral	SA: sacral apex
sa: spinal adjustment	SB: sacral base	SC: sternoclavicular joint
SCM: sternocleidomastoidious muscle	sho: shoulder	SI: sacroiliac joint
SLR: straight leg raise test	sm: spinal manipulation	smt: spinal manipulative therapy
SOB: shortness of breath	SP: spinous process	spondy: spondylolisthesis
SSLR: sitting straight leg raise test	ST: sharp touch [sensation]	Stat.: immediately, at once
STM: soft tissue massage	sup.: superior	SWD: short-wave diathermy
Sx: symptoms	T: temperature	T: thoracic
Telecon: telephone conversation	t.i.d.: three times per day	thor: thoracic
TIA: transient ischemic attack	T/L: thoracolumbar	TMJ: temporomandibular joint
tos: thoracic outlet syndrome	TP: trigger point	TPD: temporary partial disability
TPR: temperature, pulse and respiration	TPT: trigger point therapy	trap: trapezius
t-s: thoracic spine	tt: taut and tender	TTD: total temporary disability
ttt: tender to touch	tx, txrn: traction	Tx: treatment
Tx: telephone call	UA, U/A: urine analysis	UE: upper extremity
UMN: upper motor neuron	URI: upper respiratory infection	US: ultrasound
UTI: urinary tract infection	UV: ultraviolet	VSC: vertebral subluxation complex
WLR: well leg raise test	WNL: within normal limits	w/o: without
WP: whirlpool	x: number of times performed [x2 = twice; x3 =three times, etc.]	XR: x-ray
yo: years old	z-joint: zygapophyseal joint

Return to Wisconsin Guidelines

Since 8-08-2003