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| 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 |
| Anterior - front; anterior refers
to the approach used by the surgeon to reach the spine through
the front of the the body. Cervical and Lumbar surgeries are done
anteriorly. |
| ALIF - Anterior
(from the front) Lumbar Interbody Fusion |
| Allograft -a piece tissue transplanted
from a bone bank to replace one that's damaged or diseased. |
| Autograft - a piece of the patient's
own tissue transplanted to replace one that's damaged or diseased.
Generally, the tissue is taken from the hip. |
Artificial Disc - a prostheic devise with
an elastic nuclus similar to a natural disc. |
| A/P X-ray - X-rays taken with a frontal and back view of the patient's spine. |
Bending X-ray - X-rays are taken with the patient bending to the right and to the left. These x-rays reveal how flexable the curve is and can give some prediction of the amount of correction that can be obtained with surgery. |
Bulging Disc - A bulging disc
is a slight protrusion of the center of the disc (nucleus pulposus)
into the spinal canal. In a bulging disc, the annulus fibrosus
(outer ring) has not been ruptured. |
| Cell Saver - An
interoperative machine used to salvage blood lost during the surgical
procedure. The machine spins, washes, and filters blood, returning
the red blood cells to the patient. |
| Cobb Measurement - Method
of measuring the degree of curvature of scoliosis. |
| Cervical
spine - refers to the neck; the uppermost region of
the backbone, including: the first seven vertebrae, the nerve
elements (spinal cord and nerve roots) inside them, and all
supporting structures that join them together. |
| Congenital Scoliosis - scoliosis due
to bony abnormalities of the spine present at birth. These anomalies
are classified as failure of vertebral formation and/or failure
of segmentation. |
| Degenerative Disc
Disease - Degenerative Disc Disease refers to the loss of
loss of hydration in the disc and weakening of the annulus(outer
lining of the disc). Trauma can cause the annulus to tear and
disc material leaks out and presses on a nerve. Degenerative
disc disease is very common in the human population but is not
always symptomatic. |
| Discs - fibrous cartilage pads that
lie between the spinal vertebrae; each is made up of two parts:
a jelly-like center (the nucleus pulposus) that loses moisture
with age, and a tough outer ring (the annulus fibrosus)
that can split with age or injury. |
| Discectomy - the cutting out (-ectomy)
of an intervertebral disc. |
| Graft - a
piece of tissue transplanted to replace one that's damaged or diseased;
in this case, a bone graft may be used to fill the emptied intervertebral
disc space. |
| Hemangioma -
A hemangioma is a benign tumor usually found in the thoracic area
of the spine. Some patients with hemangioma are asymptomatic, others
will report pain at the vertebral level effected by the hemangioma. |
| Herniated
disc - the rupture of the center of an intervertebral
disc through its fibrous outer ring and causes compression
of the spinal cord or nerve roots; also called ruptured
disc or (incorrectly) slipped disc. |
| Idiopathic
Scoliosis - three dimensional deformity where the twisting
of the spine is coupled with curvature producing deformity
in both coronal and sagittal (side view) planes. |
| Kyphosis -
Kyphosis is an abnormal increase in normal kyphotic (posterior)
curvature of the thoracic spine which can result in a noticeable
round back deformity. |
| Laminectomy - performed
to relieve pressure on one or more nerve roots. The term is derived
from lamina (part of the spinal canal's bony roof), and -ectomy
(removal). |
| Lateral X-ray - An X-ray taken from
the side. |
| Levoscoliosis - main curve
of the spine is curved to the left side of the body. |
| Lordosis -
Lordosis is the abnormal increase in normal lordotic (anterior)
curvature of the lumbar spine. This can lead to a noticeable "sway-back" appearance. |
| Lumbar Spine - refers
to the low back; the region of the backbone, including: the five
vertebrae L1-L5, the nerve elements (spinal cord and nerve roots)
inside them, and all supporting structures that join them together. |
| Osteoid Osteomas -
Osteoid Osteomas is a benign cancer usually found in adolescences.
Patients usually present with a complaint of severe pain. The treatment
plan often includes a CT scan, anti-inflammatory medication, and
surgery. |
| Osteophytes - Osteophytes or bone spurs,
are bony overgrowth at the edge of the joint possibly as a result
of arthritis. This boney overgrowth can impinge nerves in the spinal
canal, and cause pain. |
| Posterior - back; posterior refers
to the approach used by the surgeon to reach the spine through
the back of the the body. |
| Radiculopathy- Nerve
pain in the leg or arm which may be amenable to local treatments
such as steroid blocks. |
| Risser Sign- A pelvic x-ray is taken
of a child to determine the skelatal maturity. There is a creasant
shape bone development that is classified on a scale of 1 to 5;
5 being mature. |
| Rotoscoliosis - main curve
of the spine is curved to the left side of the body. |
| Sciatica
- Term for symptoms such as tingling, numbness, burning along
the branches of the Sciatic nerve. These areas include the buttocks,
back of the legs, to the ankle and foot. |
| Scoliosis- Scoliosis
is a lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine. |
| Spinal Balance -
In any spinal procedure, it is essential that the surgeon maintain
the natural curvature of your spine. |
| Spinal Cord Monitoring- During surgery
the physcian monitors the integrity of the spinal cord. The machine
used monitors somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP). |
| Syrnix - Collection of fluid in the
spinal cord. |
| Thoracic
Spine - refers to the midback; the region of the backbone,
including: the tweleve vertebrae T1-T12, the nerve elements
(spinal cord and nerve roots) inside them, and all supporting
structures that join them together |
| Thoracoplasty - Removal of a rib during
scoliosis surgery. |
| Whiplash - Whiplash refers to a sprain or strain of the muscles in the neck. This occurs when there is a sudden flexion and extension of the neck. |
