Walker training: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Walker training is the structured teaching and practice of walking with a walker (a mobility aid). It is commonly used in orthopedic rehabilitation after hip, knee, or leg injury or surgery. It focuses on safe gait (walking pattern), balance, and weight-bearing control. It is typically guided by physical therapists and orthopedic care teams in clinics, hospitals, and home-health settings.

Wiberg angle: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Wiberg angle is an X-ray measurement used to describe how much the hip socket covers the ball of the hip joint. It is also called the center-edge angle (CEA) and is most commonly measured on an anteroposterior (AP) pelvis radiograph. Clinicians use it to help evaluate hip shape, stability, and load distribution across the joint. It is frequently discussed in hip dysplasia and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) assessments.

Weight-bearing dome: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Weight-bearing dome is an orthopedic term for the main load-bearing area of a joint surface. In hip care, it most commonly refers to the superior (upper) part of the acetabulum—the socket of the hip. Clinicians use it as a practical landmark when describing imaging findings, injury patterns, and surgical plans. It helps focus attention on the part of the joint where forces are typically highest during standing and walking.

Weight bearing as tolerated: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Weight bearing as tolerated is a common orthopedic instruction about how much body weight you may place through an injured or operated limb. It generally means you may put as much weight through the leg or hip as you can comfortably tolerate. It is most often used after fractures, joint replacement, and many soft-tissue surgeries. It is also used in rehabilitation plans guided by orthopedics and physical therapy.

WBAT: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

WBAT means **Weight Bearing As Tolerated**. It is a common instruction that tells a person to put **as much weight through a leg as they can comfortably tolerate**. WBAT is frequently used after orthopedic injuries and surgeries, including hip procedures. It is typically paired with physical therapy guidance and an assistive device such as a walker or crutches.

Viscosupplementation hip: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Viscosupplementation hip is an injection-based treatment that places a gel-like fluid into the hip joint. The fluid is usually hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in joint fluid. It is most commonly discussed for osteoarthritis-related hip pain and stiffness. In the hip, it is typically performed with imaging guidance to help place the injection accurately.

Vastus medialis: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Vastus medialis is one of the four muscles that make up the quadriceps on the front of the thigh. It helps straighten the knee and supports how the kneecap moves during motion. Clinicians commonly discuss it when evaluating anterior knee pain, kneecap tracking issues, and rehabilitation after knee injury or surgery. It is also referenced in sports medicine and physical therapy when analyzing lower-limb mechanics that can influence the hip, knee, and ankle.

Vastus intermedius: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Vastus intermedius is one of the four muscles that make up the quadriceps in the front of the thigh. It sits deep under the rectus femoris muscle and attaches to the femur and the kneecap region through the quadriceps tendon. It is best known for helping straighten the knee and support everyday movements like walking, standing, and climbing stairs. Clinicians commonly reference it in orthopedic exams, sports medicine, physical therapy, and surgical rehabilitation.