Glossary of Terms

Analgesic—A drug that alleviates pain without causing loss of consciousness.

 

Anesthesia—A drug that blocks pain impulses from nerves. With general anesthesia you are unconscious, or asleep. With local anesthesia you are conscious, or awake.

 

Bone spur—Also called osteophyte. A bony projection that forms along joints and is often seen in conditions such as arthritis.

 

Cauda Equina Syndrome—The cauda equina is a bundle of nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord. Cauda equina syndrome is severe compression of the cauda equina resulting in loss of bowel or bladder function, loss of sensation in the buttocks and groin, and weakness in the legs.

 

Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) scan—A diagnostic test that uses a type of X-ray to create three-dimensional, cross-sectional images of the body. A CT scan clearly reveals the details of any degenerative changes in the spine.

 

Corticosteroid—A medicine that reduces swelling and/or inflammation.

 

Decompression—A surgical procedure to remove bone and/or disc material that is pinching the spinal canal or spinal nerve roots.

 

Degenerative—Undergoing degeneration: growing less healthy over time.

 

Disc—The round, flat structures made of cartilage that help cushion the vertebrae and allow the spine to move more freely. Each disc has a more solid exterior and a softer, gel-like interior. As we age, our discs may dry out and deteriorate to some extent. Disc deterioration or degeneration is one of the factors that worsen lumbar spinal stenosis.

 

Discectomy—A type of spinal surgery during which the bulging portion of a herniated disc is removed. This surgery can relieve compression of a nerve and can relieve back pain caused by conditions like radiculopathy.

 

Epidural Steroid Injection—Delivery of two types of medication to help relieve pain. A local anesthetic helps relieve pain immediately; a steroid medication, which reduces inflammation, often relieves pain over a longer period of time. The injection is made close to the nerve root that is compressed and causing pain.

 

Extension—Bending backward, standing upright.

 

Facet—Surfaces where two vertebrae meet and articulate (move) forming a joint.

 

Facet Joint—A small joint on the back of the vertebra. Each vertebra has two sets of facet joints, one facing upward and one downward. They are formed by a portion of one vertebra and the vertebra above it. They connect the vertebrae to each other and permit backward motion.

 

Facetectomy—A type of surgery in which one or more facet joint bones are removed from the spine to relieve pressure on a nerve root.

 

Flexion—Bending forward, or sitting.

 

Foramen—A natural opening in bone. In the spine, the foramen is an opening between vertebrae that allows the nerve roots to branch out to the rest of the body.

 

Foraminotomy—A type of surgery that enlarges one or more foramen in the spine to relieve pressure on a nerve root.

 

Herniation—The tearing or rupturing of a vertebral disc. If a disc is herniated, some of the disc material may be protruding into the spinal canal and putting pressure on nerves.

 

Interspinous Ligament—Spinal ligament that extends from one spinous process to the other.

 

Interspinous Process Decompression (IPD®)—An operation in which an implant, called the X-STOP Spacer, is placed between your spinous processes.

 

Interspinous Space—The space between the spinous processes of the vertebrae.

 

Interspinous Spacer—A small device implanted between the spinous process bones of the back, at the site where the nerve is compressed. The device can lift the vertebra off the pinched nerve just enough to relieve pain.

 

Intervertebral Disc—Tissue found between the bones of the spinal column, called vertebrae. The discs help cushion the spine from stress during everyday activities (like, walking, bending, and sitting).

 

Lamina—The bony plate at the back of each vertebra. Laminas form the roof of the spinal canal and protect the spinal cord.

 

Laminectomy—A type of surgery in which one or more lamina bones are removed from the spine to relieve pressure on a nerve root. Also called open decompression.

 

Ligaments—The bands of tissue that connect bones at a joint. See ligamentum flavum.

 

Ligamentum Flavum—A large ligament that runs as a continuous band from lamina to lamina in the spine. It helps stabilize the spine and prevent too much movement between the vertebral bodies.

 

Lumbar—The lower part of the spine between the ribs and hipbones.

 

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis—Narrowing of the spinal canal that can compress nerves in the spine and cause pain.

 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)—A diagnostic test that uses a large magnet and radio waves to create images of various structures in the body. An MRI can provide detailed images of the soft tissues in the body.

 

Myelogram—A diagnostic test using a special contrast dye, along with X-rays, to create images of the spine and spinal canal. This type of image is often helpful in offering detailed definition to the nerves.

 

Nerve Compression—Pressure on a nerve; may cause nerve damage and muscle weakness.

 

Nerve Roots—The nerves that branch out of the spinal canal on either each side of each vertebra, one branching to the left and one to the right.

 

Nerves—The bands of nervous tissue that connect parts of the nervous system with the rest of the body. Nerves relay messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

 

Neurogenic Intermittent Claudication—A type of leg pain caused by a compressed nerve. You feel relief when you lean forward or sit (when the spine is flexed), and the pain returns when you stand up straight or walk (when the spine is extended).

 

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)—Medications relieve pain and reduce inflammation—such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

 

Osteophyte—Also called bone spurs, are bony projections that form along joints and are often seen in conditions like arthritis.

 

Pedicle—A part of a vertebra. It connects the lamina with the vertebral body.

 

Peripheral Neuropathy—A condition resulting from nerve damage, usually in the hands and feet. When the symptoms first occur in the legs, they can be mistaken for lumbar spinal stenosis. Peripheral neuropathy pain usually travels from the feet up the legs; lumbar spinal stenosis pain usually radiates down the legs.

 

Radiculopathy—Derives from the Latin word radix, for root. Refers to symptoms caused by irritation or conditions of the spinal nerve roots. Can produce sensations such as pain, numbness, or weakness radiating from the spine.

 

Sciatica—This is often a catch-all term for any type of leg pain, but it is more accurately associated with radiculopathy. Sciatica actually occurs in only a small percentage of people who have lumbar spinal stenosis.

 

Spinal Canal—The passageway through the vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes.

 

Spinal Cord— The bundle of nerve tissue that connects the brain to all parts of the body; it extends from the base of the brain down to the lower back.

 

Spinal Fusion—A type of surgery performed to stabilize the spine by fusing new bone to the remaining bones of the spine. After a surgery such as a laminectomy, in which bone is removed from the spine, a fusion may be needed to provide strength and stability to the spine.

 

Spinous Processes—These bones protrude from each of the vertebrae. They are the "bumps" you feel as you run your hand up your back.

 

Spinal Stenosis—Narrowing of the spinal canal.

 

Spondylolisthesis—The forward slippage of vertebrae in the spine, usually in the lumbar portion of the spine.

 

Supraspinous Ligament—Spinal ligament that passes over and attaches to the tips of the spinous processes.

 

Vascular Claudication— A type of leg pain caused by narrowing of the blood vessels (atherosclerosis) in the legs. Leg pain, usually present when walking, results from inadequate blood flow to the muscles in the leg. The pain is relieved when the exercise stops. Compare to neurogenic intermittent claudication.

 

Vertebra—One of a series of connected round bones (plural: vertebrae) that make up the backbone or spine. There are 5 lumbar, or lower back, vertebrae.

 

X-ray—An image obtained with electromagnetic radiation.

 

X-STOP Spacer—An interspinous spacer that fits between the spinous processes.