Physical Therapy Abbreviations Commonly Used by PTs

Physical therapists often use medical abbreviations in their note writing, and sometimes as a shorthand when speaking. To laypeople and those who aren't medical professionals, these abbreviations and shorthand annotations can often be confusing.

Below is a list of commonly used physical therapy abbreviations. While the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) does not have a standard list of physical therapy abbreviations, you may also see various abbreviations on a prescription for physical therapy from your doctor. Learning these abbreviations and what they mean can help you determine what sort of techniques your PT may be using to help you fully recover.

• Weight Bearing Abbreviations: When working with weight-bearing restrictions, you will likely need to walk with an assistive device like a cane, crutches, or a walker. Your physical therapist can show you how to use your assistive device and make sure it is sized correctly for you.
• Assistive Device Abbreviations: These abbreviations are used for various types of devices to help you walk and move about. Crutches and canes are considered assistive devices.
• Range of Motion Abbreviations: Range of motions refers to moving a joint or body part in its full available range. Sometimes, your doctor of PT will use abbreviations when referring to range of motion.
• Therapeutic Modalities: These treatments are used to help improve circulation, muscle contractions, and inflammation.
• Exercise Equipment Abbreviations: Your physical therapist may use a variety of abbreviations in their clinic. For example, some McKenzie-trained physical therapists use the term REIL to indicate the press-up exercise. (REIL stands for repeated extension in lying.) 

Use this resource to review the most common abbreviations in physical therapy and their meanings.

• 50%WB: 50 Percent Weight Bearing

• ā: Before
• AAROM: Active Assistive Range of Motion
• ABD: Abduction
• ACJ: Acromioclavicular Joint
• ACL: Anterior Cruciate Ligament
• AD: Assistive Device
• ADD: Adduction
• ADL: Activities of Daily Living
• AFO: Ankle Foot Orthosis (used to treat foot drop)
• AKA: Above Knee Amputation
• Amb: Ambulation
• AROM: Active Range Of Motion

• B: Bilateral
• BID: Twice a Day
• BKA: Below Knee Amputation

• C: With
• CGA: Contact Guard Assist
• CKC: Closed Kinetic Chain
• CP: Cardiopulmonary
• CPM: Continuous Passive Motion
• CTx: Cervical Traction

• DB: Dumbbell
• DF: Dorsiflexion
• DF: Dorsiflexion (of the ankle)
• DJD: Degenerative Disc Disease

• ER: External Rotation
• Estim or ES: Electrical Stimulation
• EV: Eversion (of the ankle)
• Ex: Exercise
• EXT: Extension (or a slash mark is used to signify extension)

• FIM score: Functional Independence Level
• FLEX: Flexion (or simple a check mark is used to signify flexion)
• FWB: Full Weight Bearing
• Fx: Fracture

• GHJ: Glenohumeral Joint

• H/o: History of
• HEP: Home Exercise Program
• HOB: Head of Bed
• Horiz ABD: Horizontal Abduction
• Horiz ADD: Horizontal Adduction
• HP: Hot Packs
• HVGS: High Voltage Galvanic Stimulation
• Hx: History

• I: Independent
• Inv: Inversion
• Ionto: Iontophoresis
• IR: Internal Rotation
• ITB: Iliotibial Band
• IV: Inversion (of the ankle)

• KAFO: Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis

• LAQ: Long Arc Quad
• LBQC: Large Base Quad Cane (also known as a wide base quad cane [Wbqc])
• LCL: Lateral Collateral Ligament
• LE: Lower Extremity
• LOA: Level of Assist
• LP: Lumber Puncture Acutely
• LTG: Long Term Goals

• MCL: Medial Collateral Ligament
• MFR: Myofascial Release
• MHP: Moist Hot Pack
• Mm: Muscle
• MMT: Manual Muscle Test
• Mobs: Mobilization

• NDT: Neuro Developmental Technique (also known as Bobath technique)
• NMES: Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
• NWB: Non-Weight Bearing

• OKC: Open Kinetic Chain
• OOB: Out Of Bed

• PCL: Posterior Cruciate Ligament
• PF: Plantar Flexion
• Pfin: Paraffin Bath
• PFS: Patellofemoral Syndrome
• Phono: Phonophoresis
• PMHx: Past Medical History
• PNF: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
• PRO: Pronation (turning your wrist palm down)
• PROM: Passive Range of Motion
• PT: Physical Therapist
• Pt.: Patient
• PTA: Physical Therapy Assistant
• PUW: Pick Up Walker
• PWB: Partial Weight Bearing

• Q: Every
• QC: Quad Cane
• QD: Every Day
• QID: Four Times A Day

• RC: Rotator Cuff
• RD: Radial Deviation (a motion of the wrist)
• RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation Rom
• ROM: Range of Motion
• Rot: Rotation
• RW: Rolling Walker
• Rx: Treatment

• S: Without (Sans)
• SAQ: Short Arc Quad
• SB: Side Bending
• SBA: Stand By Assist
• SBQC: Small Base Quad Cane (also known as a narrow base quad cane [Nbqc])
• SC: Straight Cane
• SLR: Straight Leg Raise
• STM: Soft Tissue Mobilization
• SUP: Supination (turning your wrist palm up)
• SW: Standard Walker

• TB: Theraband
• TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation
• THA: Total Hip Arthroplasty
• Ther Ex: Therapeutic Exercise
• TID: Three Times a Day
• TKA: Total Knee Arthroplasty
• TLSO: Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Orthosis
• TM: Treadmill
• Trxn: Traction
• TTWB: Toe Touch Weight Bearing

• UBE: Upper Body Ergometer
• UD: Ulnar Deviation (A motion of the wrist)
• UE: Upper Extremity
• US: Ultrasound

• W/c: Wheel Chair
• WBAT: Weight Bearing As Tolerated
• WC: Wheelchair
• WFL: Within Functional Limit
• WNL: Within Normal Limits
• WW: Wheeled Walker

Your physical therapist not only provides therapy but also wants to help educate you so you can take an active role in your rehabilitation. Understanding the basics of PT-related abbreviations can help you gain a fuller understanding of your rehab. As always, if you have any questions about your therapy, speak with your PT.