Quick Links

Glossary

Acute: Suddenly occurring and of short duration.

Annulus fibrosis: The outer portion of the intervertebral disc, composed of layers of collagen fibers that lie in rings around the nucleus pulposus.

Anterior: Front, frontal. An anterior approach in spine surgery refers to a surgical approach through the front of the neck or the through the abdomen.

Arachnoiditis: Inflammation of the arachnoid membrane which is one of the coverings of the spinal cord and brain. The inflammation that can lead to scarring, causing persistent pain after surgery.

Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint.

C#: The letter C followed by a number identifies a specific vertebra in the cervical spine. For example, C3 is the 3rd vertebra in the cervical spine and the intervertebral disc below C3 is referred to as the disc at C3-4.

C-Spine: Cervical spine (neck).

Cauda Equina: A bundle of nerve roots in the lumbar spine emitting from the end of the spinal cord and traveling to the lower extremities, bowel and bladder.

Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES): Loss of bowel and bladder control, numbness in the groin and pelvis, and weakness of the lower extremities caused by abnormal pressure on the lowest portion of the spinal canal and spinal nerve roots, usually caused by either bony stenosis or a large herniated disc.

Cervical: Neck. Related to the neck.

Chronic: Persistent or lasting a long time. In the case of back pain, lasting longer than 3 months.

Claudication: Intermittent limping due to pinching on the nerves in the lumbar spine and not enough blood supply to nerves or muscles.

CNS: Central nervous system.

Coccyx: Bottom most bone of the spine.

Corticosteroids: Medications administered either orally or by injection for severe pain in the low back or neck, or radicular pain. Useful for their powerful antiinflammatory effect.

COX-2 Inhibitor: Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor. A class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication that works by blocking the enzyme COX-2, preventing the pain and swelling caused by arthritis.

CSF: Cerebrospinal fluid. The fluid filling the dural sac that provides nourishment to the neural elements in the spinal canal and brain cavity..

CT: Computerized tomography (also known as CAT Scan). A diagnostic imaging test. In CT scanning, x-rays are employed to generate cross sectional images. High resolution CT scans provide excellent viewing of bones and bone spaces, but not soft tissues.

Decompression: Surgical removal of pressure from nerve roots or spinal cord to relieve.

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): A general term used to describe degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc(s) due to aging or wear and tear.

Disc: An intervertebral disc is a group of strong connective tissues which hold one vertebra to the next, and acts as a cushion between the vertebrae. It is made of a tough outer layer called the "annulus fibrosus" and a gel-like center called the "nucleus pulposus."

Discectomy: A surgical procedure in which part of a herniated disc is removed. These procedures may be done as a minimally invasive method.

Discitis: Inflammation of a disc.

Discography: Discography is an imaging technique that involves the injection of dye into the nucleus of an intervertebral disc.

DJD: Degenerative joint disease.

Endoscopic Discectomy: A minimally invasive surgical method performed with an endoscope, a special camera that provides highly magnified visualization of the disc from the inside.

Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs): Injection of corticosteroid medications into the epidural space (the area around the spinal nerves) to help reduce inflammation of the nerves and discs.

Facet Joints: The paired joints that connect the bones on the back of the spine.

Facet Injection: Injection of steroids and local anesthetic into the facet joints to determine if it is a source of pain and to reduce pain and inflammation.

Fusion: A surgical procedure performed that eliminates movement over painful or unstable spinal segment by grafting bone across a section of the spine.

Herniated Disc: With age, the center of vertebral discs may start to lose water content, making the disc less effective as a cushion, causing displacement of the disc's center (herniated or ruptured disc) through a crack in the outer layer. Most disc herniations occur in the bottom two discs of the lumbar spine, at and just below the waist. A herniated disc can press on a nerve root in the spine and may cause back pain or pain, numbness, tingling or weakness of the leg called "sciatica." Also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, or herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP). Can also occur in the neck and rarely in the thoracic portion of the spine.

Instability: A condition wherein vertebrae move beyond their normal range of motion.

Interbody Fusion: The grafting of bone in the space between discs for the purpose of fusing vertebral segments.

Kyphoplasty: Procedure to repair osteoporosis fractures, where glue-like material is injected into a balloon inserted into a collapsed vertebra.

Kyphosis: A curve in the spine that points to the back of the body. A hunchback is one example of kyphosis.

L#: The letter L followed by a number identifies a specific vertebra in the lumbar spine. For example, L3 is the 3rd vertebra in the lumbar spine.L3-4 would refer to the disc between the L3 and L4 vertebrae.

Laminectomy: Surgical procedure removing the shingle-like portions of a vertebra to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots (see anatomy section) .

Laminotomy: Surgical procedure removing a small bony portion of shigle-like elements (lamina) that protect the neural canal to relieve pressure on the nerve roots.

Lumbar: Pertaining to the lower back and lower spine.

Microdiscectomy: A surgical procedure performed with a microscope, used to remove herniated disc material.

Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery (MISS): Surgery done through multiple small incisions rather than a large, open procedure. .

MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging. A diagnostic imaging test. MRI clearly images soft tissues such as the intervertebral disc and neural structures as well as bones. A very sensitive and specific spinal imaging test.

Myelitis: Spinal cord inflammation.

Myelopathy: Spinal cord disorder which commonly causes weakness in the lower extremities, and spasticity in theupper extremities, which may be the consequence of spinal stenosis, particularly in the cervical spine, or an injury to the spinal cord.

NASS: North American Spine Society. A multidisciplinary organization for spine care professionals and researchers that advances quality spine care through education, research and advocacy.

Neoplasm: Tumor.

Nerve Root Block: Injection of corticosteroids (anti-inflammatories) and a local anesthetic onto the nerve root sleeve surrounding a nerve root.

Opioids: Drugs that treat pain by affecting pain perception without treating the underlying cause. These medications affect pain perception only and do not treat the pathologic condition.

Osteophytes: Bone spurs.

Osteoporosis: A condition in which the bones become more porous and prone to fracture, usually age-related.

Orthosis: Brace.

Pedicle: Projection of bone from the back of the vertebra that helps form the ring around the spinal canal.

Percutaneous: Passage through skin by needle or other object.

Posterior: Rear. Being on back side. In rear position.

Radiculopathy: Impairment of a nerve root, usually causing radiating pain, numbness, tingling or muscle weakness that correspond to a specific nerve root.

ROM: Range of motion.

Sacrum: The part on the spine just above the coccyx and below the lumbar spine

Sciatica: Pain, numbness, tingling in the distribution of the sciatic nerve, which travels from deep in the buttock down to the foot.