Medical Mnemonics for Physical Therapy

Other articles you may be interested in: Shorthand Abbreviations article

As a physical therapist, there is a great deal of information to remember. It can be difficult to keep track of it all. As a result, people have come up with many tricks over the years to help them remember various pieces of information that are related to physical therapy, anatomy, and other related topics. One such trick is to use ‘mnemonics’; specifically, medical mnemonics.

What are medical mnemonics?

Medical mnemonics are word tricks that help you to remember medical terms and concepts.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Causes: TENS

Trauma (eg, Colles’ fracture, daily overuse at typing keyboard)
Endocrinopathy (ie, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, acromegaly)
Neurological (C5-C6 disk herniation can mimic a CTS)
Synovitis (eg, rheumatoid arthritis)

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Signs of Compartment Syndrome (Ischemic Injury): P^6

Passive stretching causes severe pain (moat reliable sign)
Pain
Pallor
Paresthesiae
Poor capillary refill
Pulselessness (late sign)

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Epiphyseal Injury, Salter-Harris Classification: SALTER

Type I: Straight through the epiphyseal growth plate
Type II: Above the epiphyseal growth plate (ie, in a fragment of metaphysis attached to the epiphysis)
Type III: Lower (ie, through and below the epiphyseal growth plate)
Type IV: Through the epiphysis and metaphysis
Type V: Emergency (ie, crush of the epiphyseal growth plate)

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The Carpal Bones of the Wrist

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Bones of the Hand

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Cranial Nerves

On Old Olympus Towering Top A Fin And German Vault And Hop

Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Veronica’s Glistening Vest AH

Mnemonics to remember the twelve cranial nerves. Cranial Nerves: I. Olfactory II. Optic III. Oculomotor IV. Trochlear V. Trigeminal VI. Abducens VII. Facial VIII. Auditory (Vestibulocochlear) IX. Glossopharyngeal X. Vagus XI. Spinal Accessory XII. Hypoglossal

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