80 Introduction to Medical Terminology
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Treatment Defi nition
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
(RICE)
Most common fi rst-aid treatment for
muscular injuries; often referred to as
“RICE.”
tenotomy
teh-NAH-tuh-mee
ten/o = tendon
-tomy = process of cutting;
incision
Incision to the tendon, usually to repair a
deformity caused by a shortened muscle.
Therapeutic Drug Treatments
Injuries and conditions of the muscular system often require treat-
ment with medications. The following list includes common drugs and
their pharmacodynamics (actions in the body).
Drug Effect on the Body
analgesic
AN-uhl-JEE-zik
A drug that relieves pain; includes
nonprescription pain relievers, such as
aspirin, and prescription pain relievers,
such as hydrocodone.
anti-infl ammatory A drug that reduces infl ammation.
antispasmodic or
anticholinergic
AN-tee-spaz-MAH-dik or
AN-tee-koh-lih-NER-jik
A drug prescribed to suppress smooth-
muscle contractions of the bladder,
stomach, or intestine.
narcotic A drug that, in moderate doses,
depresses the central nervous system,
relieves pain, and induces sleep.
Taken in excess, narcotics produce
unconsciousness, stupor, coma, and
possibly death.
nonsteroidal
(NON-steer-ROY-duhl)
anti-infl ammatory drugs
(NSAID)
A group of drugs with analgesic,
anti-infl ammatory, and antipyretic
(AN-tee-pigh-RET-ik) (fever-reducing)
properties. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and
naproxen are common over-the-counter
(OTC) NSAIDs. This group of drugs is
set apart from other drugs that have
the same properties because they are
nonsteroidal. (Steroidal drugs have
narcotic effects and may result in
addiction.)