Arthritis Today Magazine

Created on: 07/27/07 - Email to friend - Print Page

A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Facet joint
Fatigue
Femoral head
Femur
Fibromyalgia
Fusion

Facet joint – A connection point between vertebrae. These joints keep the spine aligned as it moves.

Fatigue – A general worn-down feeling of having no energy. Fatigue can be caused by excessive physical, mental or emotional exertion, by lack of sleep or by inflammation or disease.

Femoral head – The round bony protrusion at the end of the thigh bone that fits into the acetabulum (socket) of the pelvis to form the hip joint.

Femur – The bone in the upper leg, or thigh. The top end of the femur meets with the pelvis to form the hip joint.

Fibromyalgia – A syndrome characterized by widespread muscle pain, the presence of tender points (or points on the body that feel painful on pressure) and often debilitating fatigue.

Fusion – A surgical procedure in which bones that form a joint are held in place with metal screws or plates, allowing them to fuse into a single, immovable unit. Also called arthrodesis.