Glossary

-A-

Acute: Suddenly occurring. Serious, severe or painful.

Allograft: Tissue or bone harvested from cadavers or deceased individuals. In the case of spine surgery, usually refers to bone used for grafting procedures.

Annulus Fibrosis: The tough outer portion of the intervertebral disc, made of circular layers of collagen fibers that surround the soft inner core, nucleus pulposus.

Anterior: Front. Anterior approach in spine surgery refers to an approach to the spine from the front.

Arthroplasty: The surgical procedure of reconstruction and replacement of a diseased or damaged joint, using a prosthetic. This is done to alleviate pain, while seeking to restore normal function of the joint.

Autograft: A bone graft taken from one part of a patient’s body and used for fusion in another part of their body. The advantage of this procedure is the high probability of successful bone fusion.

-B-

Biomechanics: The study of the mechanics of the human body and the affects of internal and external forces on the skeletal structure. (See: Kinesiology)

Bone Graft: Bone used in fusion surgery to promote spinal fusion.

-C-

C: Cervical. The letter C followed by a number identifies a specific vertebra in the cervical spine. For example, C3 is the third vertebra in the cervical spine. It is comprised of the first seven vertebrae of the spine- C1-C7.

Cervical: The neck region of the spine, it is comprised of seven vertebrae - C1-C7.

Chronic: Persistent or lasting a long time, and in the case of back pain, typically referring to conditions lasting longer than 3 months.

CNS: Central nervous system.

CT: Computerized tomography, commonly known as a CAT Scan; a diagnostic imaging test.

-D-

Decompression: In spine procedures, refers to the surgical removal of bone or tissue to relieve pressure on adjacent nerve roots or the spinal cord.

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): Not a disease, but rather a catchall term used to describe degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc(s) due to aging and wear-and-tear, which result in chronic pain and restricted movement.

Disc: Refers to the intervertebral disc, a combination of strong connective tissues that hold one vertebra to the next, and acts as a cushion between each vertebra. It is made of a tough outer layer called the annulus fibrosis and a gel-like center called the nucleus pulposus.

Discectomy: Surgical procedure in which part or all of a herniated disc is removed.

Discography: A procedure that uses a needle to inject dye into the nucleus of an intervertebral disc to determine whether the disc is the source of a patient’s pain.

DJD: Degenerative joint disease, also called Osteoarthritis, refers to the degradation or breakdown of cartilage, which provides cushion between bones and joints. Results in bones rubbing together, causing pain, swelling and loss of joint motion.

-E-

Electromyography (EMG): A test used to determine the function of the peripheral nerves and nerve roots, involving placement of tiny needles in muscles and providing an electrical stimulus that can be monitored for changes that reflect the function of the connection between the nerve and muscle.

Epidural Steroid Injections: Injection of corticosteroid medications into the epidural space (the area around the spinal nerves) to reduce painful inflammation of the nerve and disc.

-F-

Facet Joints: The paired joints at the back of the spine that connect the discs. Also known as zygapophyseal joints or simply z-joints. These joints give the spinal column stability and allow for movement.

Facet Injection: Injection of steroids and local anesthetic into the facet joints to determine if they are the source of pain, or to reduce pain and inflammation in the area of the facet joints.

FDA: Food and Drug Administration. The U.S. government consumer protection agency that promotes and protects public health by helping ensure safe and effective products reach the market in a timely manner, and by monitoring products for continued safety after they are in use.

Fluoroscopic Guidance: Use of radiologic imaging to assist in the placement of instrumentation for invasive diagnostic or surgical procedures.

Fusion: A surgical procedure performed to eliminate movement at painful or unstable spinal segments. During the procedure, bone is grafted across a section of the spine where it grows together - thereby fusing the area. Spinal fusion is often used to treat degenerative disc disease and is also used to treat scoliosis, kyphosis, spinal fractures and tumors.

-H-

Herniated Disc (HD): Occurs when the nucleus pulpous (gelatinous center) of an intervertebral disc bulges out through a tear in the outer fibrous ring, this is caused by age, wear and tear or injury. Also known as a slipped or ruptured disc.

Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (HNP): See Herniated Disc.

-I-

Instability: When vertebrae move beyond their normal range of motion. Can be the result of an injury, degenerative disease or congenital condition.

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

-K-

Kinesiology: The study of muscles and body movement. (see: biomechanics)

Kyphosis: Exaggerated forward rounding of the upper spine. May give rise to conditions commonly known as humpback, hunchback or Pott's curvature.

-L-

L: Lumbar. 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 (or disc space) between the L3 and L4 vertebrae. There are five bones in this part of the spine- L1-L5.

Laminectomy: Surgical procedure removing the shingle-like portions on the back of a vertebra (lamina), which protect the spinal cord and nerve roots, to relieve pressure on the underlying spinal cord and nerve roots.

Laminotomy: Surgical procedure removing a small portion of the shingle-like elements (lamina), which protect the spinal cord and nerve roots, to relieve pressure on the nerve roots.

LBP: Low back pain, also known as lumbar back pain.

Lordosis: Exaggerated inward curving of the spine, usually in the lumbar region. Also known as swayback or saddle back.

Lumbar: The lower back region of the spine; it is comprised of five vertebrae- L1-L5. This is the most common area for back pain.

-M-

Microdiscectomy: A surgical removal of small portions of disc material, or a herniated portion of the disc, performed with a microscope for precise visualization during the procedure.

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

MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; a diagnostic imaging test.

Myelitis: Spinal cord inflammation.

Myelopathy: Spinal cord disorder that commonly causes weakness or loss of function in the lower extremities, and spasticity in the upper extremities.

-N-

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

NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Medications used to reduce swelling and inflammation. Examples of NSAIDs are: aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and a variety of prescription drugs.

-O-

Osteophytes: Bone spurs. They can form on any bone, but typically form in joints.

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

Orthosis: Brace.

-P-

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

Percutaneous: Passage through the skin, by needle or other object.

Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy (PLD): The removal of bulging disc material percutaneously through a large bore needle inserted into the disc space. Also known as percutaneous microdiscectomy.

PMMA: Polymethyl methacrylate. A material used as bone cement for orthopedic and spine surgery.

Posterior: Rear. Posterior approach in spine surgery refers to an approach to the spine from the backside.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF): Spinal fusion technique in which a disc is removed through the back of the spinal canal and a bone graft is inserted in the intervertebral space, also through the back.

Pseudarthrosis: When a solid fusion is not obtained after fusion surgery. This term can also refer to a fractured bone that has not healed.

PT: Physical therapist or physical therapy.

-R-

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

ROM: Range of motion.

-S-

Sacrum: Part of the tailbone just above the coccyx and below the lumbar spine.

Sciatica: Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. Can result in pain, numbness, tingling or weakness.

Scoliosis: Abnormal sideways curvature of the spine.

SI: Sacroiliac. The joints (one on each side) between the sacrum at the midline and the iliac wings, which form part of the pelvic ring.

Spina Bifida: Congenital (birth) defect of the spinal column, where a hole in the vertebra leaves the spinal cord and nerves exposed.

Spina Bifida Occulta: A congenital defect of the spinal column where the lamina fail to come together completely at the midline. In this form, there are no exposed neural elements, therefore, this is usually an incidental finding without clinical findings associated.

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS): Electrical device implanted in the spine to control chronic pain.

Spinal Stenosis (SS): A narrowing of the spinal canal, usually in the lumbar or cervical spine. Can cause compression of the spinal canal or nerve roots.

Spondylolysis: The break down of a vertebral structure. A fracture (crack) that occurs in the "pars interarticularis", the small portion of bone joining the facet joints in the posterior of the spine.

Spondylolysis, Degenerative: When a vertebra slips forward over the vertebra below it, as a result of arthritis of the small joints of the spine and degeneration of the discs.

Spondylolysis, Isthmic: When a vertebra with a crack in the "pars interarticularis"(the small portion of bone joining the facet joints in the posterior of the spine) slips forward over the vertebra below it.

Spondylolisthesis: When a vertebra in the lower portion of the spine slips forward and onto the bone below.

-T-

T: Thoracic. The letter T followed by a number identifies a specific vertebra in the thoracic spine. For example, T3 is the 3rd vertebra in the thoracic spine. There are twelve bones in this part of the spine- T1-T12.

Thoracic: Mid-upper back region, it is comprised of twelve vertebrae- T-T12.

-V-

Vertebrae: Bones that make up the spine.