Back Pain Glossary

Explore our comprehensive Back Pain Glossary. First and foremost, our London location is focused on educating patients so they best understand their condition.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

Swelling or a bulge that occurs in a weakened part of the aortic wall; the aorta is the main
artery carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Abdominal aortic aneurysm can
be asymptomatic, or can result in symptoms such as sharp pain in the back abdomen as well
as the feeling of abnormal pulsation in the tummy.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)

A surgical approach in which the surgeon opens the front of the neck to reach and remove a
herniated disc in the cervical spine. After the surgeon removes the bulged disc, the two
vertebrae are fused together using a graft.

Achondroplastic Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal associated with abnormal bone growth in patients with achondroplasia. It is considered the most common serious complication in achondroplasic population.

Acupuncture

A technique of Chinese medicine that involves inserting very thin needles into specific points based on a body map. Each point is thought to be responsible for restoring the balance of a specific meridian (energy pathway) and it is used to treat body pain and dysfunction.

Acute Pain

A type of pain that occurs suddenly and remains for less than 6 months. It is often described as sharp, throbbing, stabbing pain, and it is usually a result of a new, active inflammation or severe tissue damage. An example of this type of pain is: pain in a recent surgical incision or broken bones.

Adolescent Scoliosis

A type of scoliosis that affects adolescents between 10 and 18 years of age. It often has an unknown cause and it is diagnosed by measuring the degree of abnormal side-to-side curve using x-ray; based on the angle, treatment may vary between conservative and surgical correction.

Adult Scoliosis

Unlike most types of scoliosis that occur in the adolescents and children, adult scoliosis refers to an abnormal side-to-side curve of the spine that occurs in an adult either because a pre-existing curve has progressed or because they developed a recent curve.

Allodynia

A nerve condition in which pain is caused by very subtle stimuli that are not known to be painful. For example, an individual would feel pain in response to cold temperatures or from wearing clothes. It may be caused by several health problems such as diabetes, migraines and fibromyalgia.

Allograft Bone (donor bone)

A bone graft that is obtained from the bones of a human donor (either deceased or living) for the purpose of surgical restoration of bone loss.

Analgesia

The state of absent sensation due to interruption of the neural pathway transmitting sensory signals from the affected body part to the spinal cord and the brain.

Anisospondyly

“Aniso” means unequal or unsimilar. While “spondyly” refers to the vertebrae of the spine. Anisospondyly means that the vertebrae are unequal and different in size.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Inflammation of the vertebrae associated with abnormal growth of bone spurs. By the passage of time, these bone spurs (also known as osteophytes fuse together resulting in reduced flexibility and restricted movement of the vertebral column. It is also associated with symptoms like back pain, poor posture, increased kyphosis and breathing difficulty.

Annulus Fibrosus

The outer part of the disc between the vertebrae that encapsulates the inner. It is made of layers of collagen and protein that make it hard and allows it to maintain the shape and height of the disc. When this part is damaged, the inner soft part of the disc out leading to disc herniation.

Anterior Approach

A surgical approach in which surgeons choose to correct a herniated disc by approaching the spine from the front. In this approach, the surgeon moves the organs and tissues to the side in order to operate on the spine, it allows less pain and less risk of injury to the spinal nerves and back muscles.

Anterior Cervical Decompression Fusion

A surgical approach in which the surgeon reaches the herniated disc by opening the front of the neck. This surgery is often composed of two parts, first the surgeon will remove the herniated disc between the two vertebrae; this procedure is called discectomy. Then, the surgeon will add a bone graft or a cage implant in-between the vertebrae to replace the removed disc and to stabilise the segment; this procedure is called fusion.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy

The word discectomy can be broken into two parts: “Disc” refers to the intervertebral disc, and “ectomy” means removal; A surgical procedure in which the surgeon removes a damaged disc in the neck by approaching it from the front. This operation is often combined with another surgical procedure known as ‘spinal fusion’ in which the surgeon would substitute for the removed disc using a graft or an implant.

Anterior Displaced Disc

Displacement of an intervertebral disc in a forward direction rather than in a backward direction or to the side. Although this type of disc displacement is not common, it causes persistent visceral pain and increases risk for vertebral slippage.

Anterior Lateral Approach

A surgical approach in which the surgeon corrects a herniated disc, decompresses the surrounding structures and stabilises the spinal segment by approaching the disc from the side of the abdomen by displacing the abdominal organs to the side. This approach holds a risk of injuring the abdominal content, but it is less risky than performing this surgery from the front or back.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

A type of spinal surgery in which the surgeon approaches the spine by operating on the front through the abdomen instead of from the back. Surgeon then removes the herniated disc then fuses the adjacent vertebrae to ensure stability of the segment.

Anterolisthesis

Displacement or slippage of one vertebra in a forward direction in relation to the vertebra lying below it. This type of slippage is more common in the lumbar spine.

Anterolateral

‘Antero-‘ refers to the anterior direction and ‘lateral’ refers to the lateral direction. Anterolateral is used to describe something that is placed or moving in a direction towards the front and outside.

Apical Vertebra

In scoliosis, the apical vertebra is the vertebra that shows the most deviation in a scoliotic curve when compared to the normal axis of the spine.

Apophyseal Joint

It is also known as facet joint; and it is the joint articulating two vertebrae together. Each vertebra has four apophyseal joints, two directed upward to articulate with the vertebra above, and two directed downward to articulate with the vertebra below.

Arachnoiditis

An inflammatory condition of the arachnoid mater; one of the layers that surround the brain and the spinal cord. Inflammation of the arachnoid result in symptoms such as leg pain and tingling, muscle cramps and involuntary movements.

Arthralgia

Joint pain caused by a variety of conditions such as overuse, sprains, strains in addition to rheumatic and inflammatory bone diseases. Arthralgia can manifest in form of pain in the affected joint, limited range of movement, joint locking or clicking and limited joint function. The joint pain may be described as achy, sore, tender and swollen.

Arthritis

A condition that manifests with inflammation and degeneration of joints leading to symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, tenderness, limited movement and stiffness. It can affect any joints, but more commonly affects weight bearing joints.

Arthrodesis

The word arthrodesis means joint fusion. It refers to the surgical procedure in which the surgeon removes joint cartilage, cleans both bone ends, fuses the two bones into one and fixes them together.

Arthropathy

‘Arthro-‘means joint and ‘pathy’ means abnormality.

The word arthropathy means joint disease or joint abnormality; it is an umbrella term that includes several joint disorders such as osteoarthritis and join infections.

Arthroplasty (disc replacement)

A surgical procedure in which the surgeon replaces the damaged spinal disc by a new artificial disc that is designed to support the spine and substitutes for the damages disc.

Arthroscopic Discectomy

An endoscopic surgery that is often performed in order to correct a bulging or a herniated disc and to remove the compression placed on the spinal cord and the nerve roots.

Arthroscopy

Endoscopic surgery that is performed with minimal invasion aided by pencil-size advanced medical devices aiming at correcting or repairing a joint problem through a small cut. This type of surgery generally holds less risk of complications.

Articular

Related to joints and bone articulation. For instance, articular surface refers to the surfaces of the bones that come in contact together forming a joint. Articular pain refers to pain in the joint.

Artificial Cervical Disc

A man-made disc designed to replace a damaged disc and substitute for its function. It is often made of metals like titanium or cobalt, or may be made of a metal outside and a plastic inside.

Artificial Disc Replacement

A surgical procedure in which a damaged and herniated disc is replaced by a man-made disc designed to substitute for its function as in to provide stability and cushioning and allow for mobility.

Atlas

The Atlas vertebra, also known as C1, is the first vertebra in the neck that supports the whole head over the neck. It is considered an atypical vertebra because it has special shape and anatomical features that makes it different from the rest of the vertebrae.

Atrophy

Abnormal wasting and loss of size in a body part or an organ compared to its normal size for age and sex or compared to the other side. Atrophy can be seen in structures such as a muscle, cartilage, cells or any other type of tissues.

Autogenous Bone

A type of bone graft in which the graft is taken from the same patient by taking a bone from somewhere else in the body where bone is not needed. In most occasions, the bone is taken from a site of tooth extraction.

Autograft Bone

A graft taken from a body part to restore another body part in the same patient. For example, in spinal fusion, a bone autograft may be taken from the patient’s hip bone to place in between vertebrae instead of the removed disc.

Autologus

An adjective that refers to a tissue that is taken from an individual’s body to be used as a graft for the same individual. For instance, taking a bone from a teeth extraction site to fix a broken bone elsewhere in the same body.

Avascular Necrosis

Death of bone tissues due to interruption of the blood flow to the dying part of the bone after a fracture, dislocation or bone disease. It is common after hip and wrist fracture.

Backache

Back pain that is commonly felt in the lower back and lasts for a prolonged period of time. The cause of back ache may vary from simple muscle strain to a serious spinal canal stenosis.

Back Extension

The movement of straightening the back from a bent position and moving the trunk to an erect position. In general, extension is a movement in which a body part moves further away from the body.

Back Flexion

The movement of bending the back from a straight position. For instance, flexing (bending) the trunk to get something off the floor. In general, flexion is a movement in which a body parts moves closer to the body.

Back Instability

A more-than-normal movement of the lumbar spine that may result in postural abnormality, back pain or slippage of a vertebra over another. Back or lumbar instability may be caused by muscle imbalance, back injury, poor postures, or sedentary lifestyle.

Back Surgery

An umbrella expression that describes any surgical interference performed to correct back problems, decompress the spinal canal and relieve neural symptoms. Some examples of back surgeries include discectomy, foraminotomy and laminectomy; the type of surgery selected is chosen by the surgeon based on every individual case.

Backbone

Also known as the vertebral column, backbone is a series of 33 vertebrae aligned over one another in a unique structure. It functions as a bone support for the body that helps one stand erect, it also allows for the spine to move when one bends forward, leans backward or rotate to either side.

Bilateral Foraminal Stenosis

With the foramen being the passageway through which the nerve roots exit the spinal canal, bilateral foraminal stenosis is the narrowing of both foramina on both sides by enlarged bones or a herniated disc. Narrowing of both foramina results in nerve compression and neurological symptoms in the muscles and skin supplied by the compressed roots.

Biofeedback

It is a physiological technique in which our bodies observe outcomes and modify their actions to affect or accommodate to these outcomes. For instance, if you are trying to carry a heavy box for the first time and the first force you exert fails to move the box, your brain gets feedback that this weight is heavier than you thought so it modifies your next trial by increasing the produced force.

Bisphosphonates

Medications that work on reversing bone loss and strengthening bones by slowing the action of osteoclasts; the bones cells that break down bones and take out calcium out of the bones.

Black Disc

A dehydrated disc that is undergoing degenerative changes. The name black disc is a description of how a degenerated disc is seen on an MRI image compared to a normal disc.

Bodywork

A name used to describe the alternative medicine techniques that involve hands-on and manual treatment of the body using manual mobilization, manipulation, myofascial release techniques and manual massage.

Bone Derivative

Bone derivates are substances that are extracted from bones to be used to stimulate bone formation in the body. One of the most common bone derivatives is bone morphogenic proteins (BMP).

Bone Graft

A piece of material added to a broken or damaged bone in order to substitute for the lost bone and promote bone healing. Types of bone graft can be taken from a human donor, the same person or an animal.

Bone Graft Substitute Specific

objects that are used to compensate or substitute for bone defects and promote bone healing. The materials used as bone substitutes include allograft, mineral composites, ceramics and cements.

Bone Harvesting

The process of collecting bone grafts from suitable donors for transplanting them in the same person (autograft) or another person (allograft). These grafts are often kept in a bone bank for the purpose of donating it to patients who need grafting.

Bone Marrow

A soft, gelatin-like material that is present inside the spongy part of long bones. It functions as a factory to produce several important cells; for example, the red blood cells.

Bone Plate

A plate made of specific metals (e.g., stainless steel or titanium) added and fixed to the two ends of a broken bone in order to maintain bone apposition and promote healing in the correct position. In the spine, a plate can be used for fixing the spine and promoting stability.

Bone Scan

An examination used to detect, diagnose and follow-up the progression of several bone diseases through nuclear imaging. Nuclear imaging uses small bouts of radioactive substances that are then received via special cameras and analyzed on a computer allowing the physician to visualize several structures inside the body.

Bone Scan with SPECT

Bone scan with single photon emission computed tomography are combined techniques used to visualize the spine. This technique shows the small metabolic changes that occur in the body. Thus, it is useful in detecting changes in tumours, blood flow patterns and bones that are hard to visualize using other techniques.

Bone Screw

A bone screw is a type of metal implants that is placed inside the bone alone or with plate. Screws are used to immobilize broken bones in order to facilitate the healing process.

Boston Brace

Also called Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis (TLSO) brace, Boston brace is a moulded body jacket that used in treating adolescent scoliosis. It is a plastic jacket that is worn under the arms and around the trunk to fix the spine and hold it into a correct position.

Bovine Bone Graft

Cow bone that is used as a bone graft. It serves as a safe and effective material to fill in for lose bones and correct bone defects especially prior to using implants.

Brace

A custom-made device to fit a person or a person’s body part for the purpose of immobilizing an injured part, allowing for uninterrupted healing, preventing deformity or correcting an already present deformity.

Bulging Disc

An intervertebral disc that bulges out of its place leading to narrowing of the spinal canal or compressing the surrounding structures. A disc may bulge forward, backward or to either side.

Burst Fracture

A fracture in which a vertebra is broken by being compressed and crushed inside. It results from severe compressive force from a car accident or a fall from a high place.

Cancellous Bone

Also known as spongy bone, is a type of bone that contains wider pores and looks like a honeycomb, it is weaker and more liable to fracture than compact bone. Examples of spongy bones are the skull, hip bone and the ends of long bones.

Carotid Artery

A Large blood vessel that branches from the aorta and passes through the neck to deliver fresh oxygenated blood to the head and the brain. There are two carotid arteries on both sides of the neck.

Cauda equina

A bundle of nerve roots gathered together below the end of the spinal cord. It contains the lumbar nerve roots from the 2nd to the fifth in addition to the sacral and the coccygeal nerve roots.

Cauda Equina Syndrome

A condition in which there is a compression on the bundle of nerves below the level of the spinal cord. When this bundle of nerves is compressed, it results in symptoms such as low back pain, leg muscle weakness, numbness, loss of bladder and bowel control.

Causalgia

A neurological condition characterized by sharp, sever, burning pain felt down a limb as a result of peripheral nerve injury. The injury can be caused by sprains, surgery or burns. It is now known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Type II).

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A colourless, clear liquid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. It provides nutrients and removes waste products from the central nervous system and most importantly, functions as a cushion that protects the central nervous system.

Cervical

In spine, cervical describes something that is related to the neck. For instance, cervical spine refers to the vertebrae of the neck. Cervical pain refers to pin in the neck.

Cervical Collar

A device that is used to support or immobilize the neck in cases of neck pain, neck surgeries and neck injuries. There are several types of collars including soft and hard collars.

Cervical Decompression

A surgery in which the surgeon removes the compression on the spinal canal or the foramen through which the nerve roots pass in order to free the nerves and reduce the symptoms.

Cervical Disc

A cushion-like structure that is present between two vertebrae in the neck; it allows the head to move in flexion, extension and rotation without placing shear force on the bones.

Cervical Fusion

A surgery in which the surgeon fuses two vertebrae together in order to limit the movement in between these two vertebrae and provide stability after removing the damaged disc in between.

Cervical Myelopathy

A neurological condition caused by compression on the spinal cord in the neck. This compression results in serious neurological symptoms such as pain, numbness, muscle weakness, involuntary movement and bowel and urinary dysfunction.

Cervical Plexus

A collection of the nerve roots that arise from the neck. These nerves travel together in the cervical plexus before branching out to supply sensation and motor supply to the skin and muscles of the neck, shoulders and arms.

Cervical Radiculopathy

Pain, numbness or tingling felt in the shoulder, arm or hand because of a pinched nerve in the neck. This pain is caused by the interruption of the neural signals that travel through the entrapped nerve.

Cervical Spine

The vertebrae of the neck; they are seven bones aligned on top of each other and separated by intervertebral discs. They give the neck its height, curve and ability to move in different directions.

Cervical Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck regions caused by a space occupying lesion or a broad and central cervical disc herniation. This condition may compress the spinal cord leading to myelopathy.

Cervical Vertebrae

Seven bones in the neck that are aligned on top of each other and separated by intervertebral discs to form the spine of the neck, allow for neck mobility and carry the head.

Chemonucleolysis

A non-surgical treatment for disc herniation in which the surgeon injects an enzyme into the disc in order to dissolve the nucleus pulposus (i.e., the inner part of the disc) and thus, relieve the compression on spinal roots.

Chiropractic Adjustment

A type of manual treatment in which specialised chiropractors apply speedy, sudden thrusts using their hands or small instruments in order to realign bones, improve joint mobility and relieve pain.

Chiropractor

A health practitioner who applies sudden thrusts using only hands or small instruments to realign bones, improve joint mobility and relieve pain.

Chronic Pain

Pain that persists for a period that is longer than the expected recovery period. It can be continuous or can be on-and-off. It usually occurs in association with long-lasting conditions such as arthritis and it interferes with performing the daily activities.

Cobb Angle Measurement

An angle that is measured on an X-ray film to assess the severity of scoliosis. It can be used to determine the best treatment for a scoliotic curve and follow-up the progression of a curve during or after treatment.

Coccydynia

Pain in the coccyx which is the last triangular bone in the spinal column. It manifests as pain in the butt or at the cleft of the butt that worsens with prolonged sitting.

Coccyx

The coccyx (also known as the tailbone) is the last triangular bone in the spinal column; it is made of 3-5 vertebrae fused together in one.

Cognitive Restructuring

A number of therapeutic techniques that get people to detect and modify their negative behaviour and thoughts, and focus on replacing these negative patterns with positive attitudes before they progress to destructive and self-defeating behaviours.

Comminuted Fracture

A type of fracture in which a bone is broken into more than two pieces. It usually occurs due to a severe traumatic injury in a motor accident or with hard blow to the bone.

Compensatory Curve

In scoliosis, a compensatory curve is a curve that develops as a substitution to the primary curve in order to maintain the body’s balance, prevent falling and reduce stress on the body structures. It results in worsening of scoliosis and development of an S-shaped side-to-side curve.

Compressed Nerve

A nerve that is placed under compression by another structure such as a disc, a bone, swelling or tumour. A compressed nerve becomes inflamed and results in abnormal sensation and muscle weakness in the skin and muscles it supplies.

Compression Fracture

A type of fracture in which small break ups in the vertebral body results in collapse and compression of the vertebra. It commonly occurs in elderly because of their decreased bone density, but it may also occur due to a fall. This type of fractures causes pain, limited mobility and kyphotic posture.

Congenital Scoliosis

A side-to-side curve in the spine that is abnormally present at birth. It is less common than other types of scoliosis as it only occurs in It occurs in only 1 in 10,000 newborns and it may also be associated with other birth defects such as heart or kidney defects.

Conservative Management

A treatment approach that can be used in managing some medical conditions such as back, neck and other conditions. This approach aims at avoiding surgical treatment and trying other conservative options such as physical therapy, chiropractic, injections and medications.

Cordotomy

A surgical procedure in which the surgeon cuts specific nerves in the spinal cord that carry pain signals for the sake of relieving chronic pain. Cutting these nerves blocks feelings of pain, hot and cold.

Coronal

A word in anatomy used to describe something that is related to the crown of the head. It is also used in imaging to describe the view from which the image is taken (e.g., coronal CT).

Corpectomy

“Corp” means body, and “ectomy” means removal. Corpectomy literally means removal of the body. In case of vertebrae, corpectomy refers to the surgical procedure in which the body of the vertebra is removed and then the remaining vertebrae are fused together.

Cortical Bone

Cortical bone of compact bone is a type of bone that is characterized by being denser, stronger and less porous than spongy bone. It constitutes 80% of all the body bones and it is present as an outer, protective layer surrounding spongy bones.

Costovertebral Junction

The joint between the end of a rib and the corresponding vertebrae. This joint allows the ribs to move up and down during breathing to provide sufficient space for lung expansion.

Craniosacral Therapy

A gentle manual technique in which light touch is used to assess the membranes and movement of the fluids in and around the central nervous system. This technique aims at relieving the neural tension in and promoting a sense of wellness by reducing pain and promoting health and immunity.

Craniosacral Therapy

A gentle manual technique in which light touch is used to assess the membranes and movement of the fluids in and around the central nervous system. This technique aims at relieving the neural tension in and promoting a sense of wellness by reducing pain and promoting health and immunity.

Deafferentation Pain

Pain that results due to interruption in the pathway through which the pain signals travel. When the pathway is damaged, sensory input is lost and pain results. It is common after plexus or peripheral nerve injury or central nervous affection.

Decompression

The act of removing or repositioning a structure that is placing abnormal pressure on another. For instance, spinal decompression refers to removing a disc that is compressing the spinal canal.

Decompression Surgery

A surgical intervention that aims at removing or repositioning a structure that is placing abnormal pressure on another. For instance, spinal decompression refers to the surgical removal of a disc that is compressing the spinal canal.

Decompression Therapy

A conservative, non-surgical treatment that aims at reducing lower back and neck pain by using a machine to apply gentle traction (stretch) on the spine. It is hypothesized that spine traction assists in removing the pressure off of a pinched nerve root, thus, relieve pain.

Degeneration

Deterioration and loss of tissue structure and function. It may occur as a part of the physiological changes of aging, due to traumatic injury or due to chronic compression or pathology.

Degenerative Arthritis

Degenerative arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis) is a disorder that results in permanent damage in the cartilage and tissues surrounding the joints as a consequence of a chronic wear and tear process. This disorder results in symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness and limited function.

Degenerative Disc Disease

A wear-and-tear process that occurs in the intervertebral disc as a part of the aging process. This process is common in people after 40, but it differs in symptoms and severity from a person to another. The symptoms may include back pain, stiffness, abnormal function and limited function.

Degenerative Scoliosis

An abnormal side-to-side curve in the spine that occurs in older adults as a result of degeneration and wear and tear in the facet joints and the discs in between the vertebrae. This degeneration results in losing height at some parts of the vertebra and worsens as one ages.

Degenerative Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal as a result if degeneration of the intervertebral discs and the facet joints, which changes the alignment of the spine and leads to compression on the spinal cord and the nerve roots.

Demineralized Bone

A bone graft in which the calcium of the bone has been removed and the collagen content has been preserved so that the matrix is used in bone grafting especially in spinal fusion surgeries.

Depression

A very common and serious mood disorder in which the person has a persistent feeling of sadness, loss of interest in life and activities one used to like in a way that makes one feel and think negatively and affects daily life.

Dermatome

An area of skin that received sensory supply from the same spinal nerve. For instance, the dermatome of the sciatic nerve is along the back of the thigh and extends to the foot. So, when this nerve is compressed, this is where tingling and numbness are felt.

Disc

A cushion-like structure made of a central jelly-like substance surrounded by a fibrous ring. This disc is present between the vertebrae to absorb shocks, prevent friction and allow for mobility.

Disc Degeneration

A process of wear and tear that affects the hydration, content and structure of an intervertebral disc leading to decreased disc space, limited mobility and a painful and stiff spine movement.

Discectomy

The surgical intervention in which a herniated or a damaged disc is removed and the vertebrae are fused together in order to alleviate symptoms and restore function.

Discitis

Inflammation of the inter vertebral disc due to a bacterial or a viral infection.

Discogenic Pain

Pain that is caused by a problem in a disc. This pain might be present around the damaged disc (e.g., neck or back), increases with movement involving the affected segment and may cause spasm in the surrounding muscles.

Discogram

Discogram or discography, is a test that is performed to asses back pain. It helps detecting the disc that is causing the back pain.

Discography

Discography or discogram, is a test that is performed to asses back pain. It helps detecting the disc that is causing the back pain.

Dura

The outermost layer of the three layers that constitute the meninges surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. These meninges protect the brain and spinal cord.

Dysesthesia

Dysesthesia means abnormal sensation; It refers to a painful sensation often described as burning, tingling or discomfort commonly felt down the legs and arm, but could also be felt in the chest and abdomen.

Dysplastic

An adjective describing an abnormal growth of cells or organs that results in them becoming larger in size than normal. Dysplasia is not the same as cancer, but it can turn malignant in some cases.

Edema

Abnormal accumulation of fluids outside the blood vessels which makes the oedematous part look puffy and swollen. It can occur in any part of the body depending on the cause. However, it is most commonly seen in the extremities.

End Vertebra

The vertebra that is most tilted and deviated from the axis of the normal curve. There are two end vertebrae for each curve; an upper and a lower end vertebra. In general, the two end vertebrae are recognised by being the two vertebrae that are the most tilted towards each other.

Epidural

A procedure in which the doctor or the pain management specialist injects a local anaesthetic into the space around the nerve roots in the lower back for the sake of blocking sensation.

Erector Spinae

A group of muscles and tendons that extend through the length of vertebral column on both sides, they originate from the sacrum and hip bones to the base of the skull. They function to extend the spine and maintain erect posture.

Facectomy

A type of surgery in which the surgeon removes the compression on a spinal root that is compressed around the facet joint. It is indicated for people who suffer from moderate to severe sciatic pain.

Facet

In the spine, facets are joints present in between the vertebrae allowing for articulation and movement between the vertebra above and the one underneath. They are formed of small flat surfaces covered with cartilages to prevent friction between the vertebrae.

Facet Arthropathy

A condition of inflammation in the facet joints of the vertebrae leading to pain and limited range of movement when trying to bend or twist the spine and maybe associated with postural abnormalities. If these joints become swollen, the spinal nerves passing near them maybe compressed or entrapped.

Facet Block

A surgical procedure in which the surgeon injects a local pain killer or a steroid medication into the facet joint being guided by ultrasound or CT scans. The aim of this procedure is to block the nerve root and relieve pain.

Facet joints

In the spine, facets are joints present in between the vertebrae allowing for articulation and movement between the vertebra above and the one underneath. They are formed of small flat surfaces covered with cartilages to prevent friction between the vertebrae.

Facetectomy

A type of surgery in which the surgeon removes the compression on a spinal root that is compressed around the facet joint. It is indicated for people who suffer from moderate to severe sciatic pain.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

A term used to describe back pain with or without sciatica that persists after a surgical intervention that was initially performed to relieve pain and symptoms in the same location of the persisting pain.

Fatigue Fracture

Fatigue fracture or stress fracture is a fracture that occurs in a weight-bearing bone due to excessive overuse rather than a traumatic injury. It is common in people who stand or walk for prolonged periods of time.

Fenestration

Disc fenestration is a spine surgery in which the surgeon creates a small window (hence the name) into the outer fibrous ring of the disc and removes the inner nucleus pulposus through it in order to relieve or prevent worsening of the symptoms.

Fibromyalgia

A disorder of an unknown cause in which an individual complains of widespread pain all over the body that maybe localised or referred in nature, poor sleep habits, continuous fatigue, in addition to mood swings, emotional problems and mental distress.

Fibrosis

An abnormal change in tissues that results in loss of flexibility and elasticity due to recurrent, prolonged inflammation, scarring and improper healing. It can be seen in muscles, the lungs, skin, soft tissues and other organs.

Fibrositis

Fibrositis (also known as fibromyalgia) is a disorder of an unknown cause in which an individual complains of widespread pain all over the body that maybe localised or referred in nature, poor sleep habits, continuous fatigue, in addition to mood swings, emotional problems and mental distress.

Flattening of the Normal Lumbar Curve

Also known as “flatback” is a postural problem in which the lumbar spine becomes flat and loses the normal in-ward curve it has. Normally, the lower spine is lordotic (has an inward curve). In cases of muscle imbalance around the pelvis, the lower back may become straight.

Flexion

The act of moving or bending a body part towards the body. For instance, flexing the spine refers to bending the trunk towards the legs and flexing the elbow means moving the elbow towards the arm.

Foot Drop

An umbrella term that is used to describe difficulty moving the ankle in dorsiflexion (i.e., lifting the front part of the foot) resulting in foot drag and difficulty walking and clearing the foot off the ground. Foot drop is not a disease itself, but it is a red-flag that something might be wrong with the nerves or muscles responsible for dorsiflexion.

Foramen

A passageway or an opening formed by the vertebra above and the one below. It functions as a tunnel or a passageway through which the nerve roots exit the spinal canal.

Foraminal Stenosis

With the foramen being the passageway through which the nerve roots exit the spinal canal, foraminal stenosis is the narrowing of one or both foramina by enlarged bones or a herniated disc. Narrowing of the foramen results in nerve compression and neurological symptoms in the muscles and skin supplied by the compressed root.

Foraminotomy

“foramen” refers to the opening between two vertebrae that allows the spinal root to leave the spinal canal. “otomy” means partial removal. Foraminotomy is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon widens the foramen and frees the nerve root from compression in cases of foraminal stenosis.

Fracture

In bones, fracture means interruption in the continuity of the bone structure. In other words, it is the term used to describe a bone that is broken.

Fusion

A surgical procedure in which the surgeon fuses two bone surfaces together in order to correct bone defect or substitute for a removed structure. In the spine, this is performed by adding a bone graft or an implant in-between the vertebrae to replace a removed disc and stabilise the segment.

Functional Scoliosis

An abnormal side-to-side curve of the spine that is caused by a temporary cause. For instance, when there is a length discrepancy between the legs, acute inflammation due to appendicitis or muscle spasm on one side. Usually, functional scoliosis is corrected by treating the underlying cause.

Gibbus

A spinal deformity in which one vertebra is collapsed in form of a wedge resulting in abnormal kyphotic curve of the lower dorsal and upper lumbar spine. The most common cause of Gibbus deformity is infection to the spine (mainly tuberculosis).

Gout

A common disorder of joint inflammation in which more than one joint is affected at the same time, with the big toe being the most commonly affected joint. Its symptoms include  on-and-off pain and tenderness at the affected joints in addition to limited range of movement.

Graft

A piece of material added to a lost or damaged tissues in order to restore its continuity, substitute for the lost tissue and promote healing. It can be obtained from another human donor (Patient himself or another donor) or can be taken from an animal (e.g., pigs or cows) or can be synthetic. Examples of grafts include skin and bone grafts.

Graft Displacement

Movement or dislodgment of a graft (usually bone graft) that has been used to substitute for bone loss or a removed intervertebral disc resulting in failure of the fusion surgery.

Haemorrhage

A medical term used to describe bleeding or blood loss due to damage in a blood vessel. This term often refers to loss of too much blood in a short time. Haemorrhage can be internal (without a wound on the skin) or external.

Halo

A halo-vest or a halo-brace is a made-to-fit device used to immobilize and protect the neck after spine surgery or injury following a motor accident. It is formed of ring around the head that is fixed in the skull using surgical pins.

Harrington Rod

Metal columns, often made of stainless steel, that were implanted on both sides of the spine to correct an abnormal spine curve. It used to be the most common instrument used to correct spinal scoliosis in the 1960s.

Haemangioma

A type of benign tumours that is formed by excess blood vessels collected in one area. When a haemangioma is seen on skin, it is considered a birthmark and it is called a ‘strawberry mark.’ However, birth haemangiomas often disappear after a few months or years.

Hematoma

A bruise inside the body. In other words, a collection of blood or clotted blood which collects inside the tissues, organs or body space. It is usually caused by traumatized and damaged blood vessels from a surgery or an injury without interruption in skin continuity. It can occur anywhere in the body, including the brain.

Hematomyelia

A well-defined, localized area of bleeding inside the spinal cord often caused by trauma. It commonly occurs in the spine of the neck than the lower or middle back.

Hematorrhachis

Bleeding inside the spinal canal often caused by trauma.

Hemi Atrophy

Irreversible loss in the structure and thickness of tissues or organs on one side of the body. For instance, cerebral hemi atrophy refers to loss of tissues on one half of the brain, and facial hemi-atrophy means loss of muscles on one side of the face.

Hemi Laminectomy

Hemi laminectomy is a surgical procedure of the spine in which the surgeon removes one lamina on a vertebra in order to decompress the spinal nerves and reduce the symptoms of nerve compression (i.e., back pain, pins and needles on the legs).

Hemiplegia

Muscle weakness, increased tone, abnormal reflexes and lack of control of one side of the body as a result of damage to one half of the brain because of a stroke or an injury.

Herniated Disc

A condition in which the inner part of the disc bulges, slips or ruptures and becomes displaced out of its place resulting in narrowing the neural canals around. According to the direction of this disc bulge, it can compress the spinal cord or narrow the spinal canal, or can compress the nerve roots as they exit the canal.

Herniation

Bulging or slipping of an organ, and being displaced out of the normal place resulting in symptoms and complications. For instance, an intervertebral disc may herniate leading narrowing the neural canals around. The intestine may herniate through a weakened spot in the abdominal wall leading to intestinal hernia.

Herniation Intervertebral Disc (HID)

A condition in which the disc bulges, slips or ruptures and becomes displaced out of its place resulting in narrowing the neural canals around. According to the direction of this disc bulge, it can compress the spinal cord or narrow the spinal canal, or can compress the nerve roots as they exit the canal.

Herniation of Nucleus Pulposus (HNP)

A condition in which the inner part of the disc bulges and slips and becomes displaced out of its place resulting in narrowing the neural canals around. According to the direction of this disc bulge, it can compress the spinal cord or narrow the spinal canal, or can compress the nerve roots as they exit the canal.

Heterotopic Bone Formation

An abnormal formation of bone in tissues where bone does not normally exist such as muscles, tendons or other types of soft tissue. It may occur following severe injury or major surgeries and it can also be genetic.

Hook

Spinal hooks are metal anchors that are used to provide stability and enforce the spine by attaching to different parts of the vertebrae. For instance, the lamina or the pedicle.

Hydroxyapatite

A component that normally exists in bone and teeth giving them their strength and rigidity. In spine surgery, synthetic Hydroxyapatite is used as a bone graft to unite the vertebrae together after removal of the intervertebral disc.

Hyoid Bone

A small-sized, horseshoe-shaped bone at the middle of the front of the neck, and at the base of the jaw. It is located in line with the fourth vertebra of the cervical spine just above the thyroid cartilage (Adam’s Apple).

Hyperalgesia

Increased sensation to pain that may occur with changes or damage to the nerve carrying sensory signals from the affected area or abnormal chemicals around the nerve (e.g., due to an active inflammation).

Hyperesthesia

Increased sensitivity to all the sensory inputs including touch, sound, sight and smell. It often occurs due to damage in the peripheral nerves (i.e., nerves outside the skull).

Hyperextension

The act of straightening a body part beyond the neutral position. For instance, if you straighten your back from a bent position to a straight position, this movement is referred to as back extension, if you move it further backward, this is hyperextension. An extent of hyperextension can be normally allowed by some joints. However, further hyperextension of a joint beyond normal increases the risk of injury or sublaxation.

Hyperflexion

Movement of a body part towards flexion in a range that exceeds the normal range allows by the joint. Hyperflexion can result in injury, sprain, dislocation or fracture. One of the most common examples of a hyperflexion injury is the whiplash injury of the neck.

Hyper kyphosis

Increased convex curve of the upper spine forming a hump on the upper back. Normally, the upper back has a kyphotic curve, but when it is excessive, it causes postural abnormality, pain and discomfort.

Hyperlordosis

Exaggeration of the concave curve in a region of the spine where lordosis is the normal curve (e.g., the neck or the lower back). Increased lordosis increases the load on the spine, stretches ligaments, affects normal posture and increases risk of vertebral slippage.

Hyperthermia

Abnormal elevation of the body’s temperature that occurs when the body generates more heat than it expends; a state known as failure to regulate body’s temperature.

Hypertrophic Facet Disease

Enlargement of the facet joints, which are small joints present in between the vertebrae allowing for articulation and movement between the vertebra above and the one underneath.

Hypothermia

Abnormal drop in the body’s temperature that occurs when the body loses more heat than it generates; a state known as failure to regulate body’s temperature.

Iatrogenic

Something that is doctor-made or inadvertently induced by a physician or by a surgeon during a surgery or a medical procedure.

Idiopathic Scoliosis

“Idiopathic” means that something has an unknown cause, while “scoliosis” is an abnormal side-to-side curve of the spine. Idiopathic scoliosis is a scoliosis of an indefinite cause, and it constitutes the most common type of scoliosis. It tends to be familial and it affects females more than melas.

Iliac Bone

The wing-shaped bone of the hip; there are a pair of iliac bones connecting the lower limbs to the end of the spine and forming the pelvis. They contain the pelvic organs and connect the thigh bones to the spine.

Iliac Crest

The wing-shaped part of the hip; there are a pair of them connecting to the end of the spine and giving the pelvis its contour. They function as a protective bowl for the pelvic organs and connect to the remaining parts of the hip bone.

Immobilization of the Back

Preventing movement of the back using special types of belts and braces or by prescribing full bed-rest in order to protect a surgical intervention, allow for healing or prevent further damage.

In vitro

In research, in vitro is something that is grown or tested outside the living bodies of humans or animals, and instead is tested in an artificial environment.

In vivo

In research, in vivo refers to something that is grown or tested inside the living bodies of humans or animals.

Infantile Scoliosis

A side-to-side where the spine develops a lateral (side to side) curve along with rotation. While scoliosis rarely presents in infants — children younger than 2 — it is referred to as infantile idiopathic scoliosis when it does. There is no known or identifiable cause.

Informed Consent

Informed consent is a way that health care professionals use to inform their patients and obtain their agreement and permission regarding a specific health service. This consent is usually a paper that contains the same information explained by the health care provider under which the patient signs as a part of practicing their right in participating in decision-making regarding their treatment plan.

Institutional Review Board

A regulatory committee that ensures proposed researches comply with the research ethics by reviewing the proposed protocols and methods of a research before it is started on the clinical basis.

Instrumentation

In spine surgery, spinal instrumentation refers to the fixation and treatment of the spine using different instruments, materials and techniques in order to provide spinal stability and near-normal mobility and function.

Interbody

Inter-body graft or interbody fusion is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon inserts an interbody graft between the bodies of two adjacent vertebrae instead of a removed disc.

Internal Disc Disruption

A disc problem in which the nucleus pulposus, which is located at the center of the disc, cuts into the fibrous ring surrounding it (i.e., annulus fibrosis) without disc herniation.

Internal Fixation

A method of fixing broken bones by using special metal implants best suitable for the shape and nature of the broken bone. Examples of internal fixation include plate and screws, wires and rods.

Interspinous Ligament

A short, thin ligament that extends between the spinous processes of two adjacent vertebrae in order to provide stability to the spine.

Interspinous Pseudarthrosis

A spinal condition in which there is inflammation of the interspinous bursae in addition to degenerative changes of the bones resulting in approximation of the adjacent spinous processes so that they rub against each other.

Intervertebral Disc Narrowing

Loss of height and content of the cushion-like structures between the vertebrae as a result of dehydration and wear and tear process of the discs that normally occurs with age.

Intervertebral Discs

Cushion-like structures that are present between two vertebrae in the neck, or back; they allow the spine to move in flexion, extension and rotation without placing shear force on the bones.

Intradural-Extramedullary Tumour

Benign growths of masses that grow outside the spinal canal but inside the dura mater (the layer surrounding the spinal cord). It accounts for 60-70% of spinal cord tumours.

Investigational Device Exemption

A permission or an exemption for a specific newly-produced device to be used in clinical studies and researches in order to collect data and results regarding its effectiveness and safety.

Ischemia

A condition in which blood circulation or the blood flow – and the oxygen carried by it– is decreased in a part or some tissues of the body leading to oxygen deprivation.

Isthmic

Isthmus refers to a narrow organ or passage connecting two parts together. Thus, Isthmic is a word used to describe something that is related to the isthmus.

Isthmic Spondylolisthesis

Forward slippage of one vertebra over the other due to a broken or defective pars interarticularis; a small bone that connects the facet joints of both vertebrae.

Joint

The articulation in which two bones come into contact. It has different shapes and allows for different degrees of movement based on the anatomical shape of the bones and the nature of articulation.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis or currently known as idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis is a the most common type of arthritis affecting children under the age of 16. It is characterized by inflamed, painful and stiff joints for more than six weeks.

Juvenile Scoliosis

Abnormal side-to-side curve of the spine occurring in children between 3 and 9 years of age. It is usually a scoliosis of an indefinite cause that is also called idiopathic scoliosis, it constitutes the most common type of scoliosis, it tends to be familial and it affects females more than melas.

Kinetic

An adjective derived from the word “Kinesis” which means motion or movement. Kinetic is something related to or resulting from movement and the energy and forces associated with it.

Kyphoplasty

A minimally-invasive operation that aims at restoring the spinal curve after a spinal compression fracture. In this surgery, the surgeon uses imaging to guide insertion of a balloon into the fracture site. Then, the balloon is inflated to restore the broken bones to a position as normal as possible. After that, a cement-like material is injected into the vertebra to maintain its height and improve the spinal curve.

Kyphosis

Kyphosis is a convex curve normally found in the dorsal spine (upper back). When this curve is excessive (a case called hyper kyphosis), It is considered a postural abnormality of the upper spine forming a hump on the upper back. Usually, the word kyphosis is used interchangeably with the word hyper kyphosis to describe an excessive curve.

Lamina

“Lamina” refers to a part of the vertebra which connects the tail of the vertebra ( the spinous process) with the wing-shaped protrusions (transverse processes). Each vertebra contains a pair of laminae on its surface.

Laminectomy

A surgical procedure of the spine in which the surgeon removes both laminae on a vertebra in order to decompress the spinal nerves and reduce the symptoms of nerve compression (i.e., back pain, pins and needles on the legs)

Laminoplasty

“Lamina” refers to a part of the vertebra which connects the tail of the vertebra (spinous process) with the wing (transverse process), and “plasty” means modification. laminoplasty is a surgical procedure of the spine in which the surgeon cuts the lamina and swings it back like a door in order decompress the spinal nerves and reduce the symptoms of nerve compression. This procedure is used only in the neck.

Laminotomy

“Lamina” refers to a part of the vertebra which connects the tail of the vertebra (spinous process) with the wing (transverse process), and “otomy” means partial removal.

Laminotomy is a surgical procedure of the spine in which the surgeon removes a part of one or both laminae on a vertebra in order to decompress the spinal nerves and reduce the symptoms of nerve compression (i.e., back pain, pins and needles on the legs)

Laser

Standing for: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation; LASER is a device that excites atoms using high energy levels and stimulates them to emit narrow-beam light that are used in clinical applications for cosmetic, therapeutic and surgical purposes.

Lateral

Related to or present in or moving away or towards outside in relation to the body’s midline.

Lateral Stenosis

A condition in which a herniated disc is directed outwards to the right or to the left so that it compresses the nerve root at the lateral recess, the passageway through which the nerve root exists the spinal canal.

Leg Pain

Pain that is felt in the leg. It can be originating at the structures of the hips and legs, or it can be referred from the back (radiculopathy) as a result of nerve compression in the lumbar area.

Levator Scapulae Muscle

A muscle present on both sides of the neck in the upper back, it is function is to lift the shoulder blade up. It is attached to the inside part of scapula and to the neck vertebrae.

Ligament

A Tough elastic band that attaches to bones on its both ends, usually around the joints to provide stability and limit excessive movement. It does not contract like the muscles, so it is called a “passive structure”. Overstretching ligaments leads to excessive mobility and may lead to joint instability.

Ligamentum Flavum

A ligament that connects the front parts of the laminae of two adjacent vertebrae. It acts as a supporter to the spine, maintains upright posture, and prevents excessive spine flexion.

Lipoma

A fatty lump that slowly grows between muscle and skin layers. It is often painless and not tender; it is also harmless.

Load Sharing

A principle or a classification used by surgeons to predict how successful an internal fixation would be in specific cases of spine fracture. They make this prediction based on the shape and severity of the fracture

Local Anaesthetics

Medications that are used to prevent pain sensation in specific areas without affecting one’s consciousness; unlike general anaesthesia

Lordoscoliosis

A combined curve of scoliosis (side-to-side curve of the spine) and lordosis (a concave or an inward curve of the spine).

Lordosis

An inward curve of the spine normally present in the neck (cervical spine) and the lower back (lumbar spine).

Lumbago

A term that refers to low back pain or lumbar pain. The pain can be caused by anything from a simple overuse injury to a severe disc problem.

Lumbar

Related to the lower back; the area below the dorsal spine and above the hip bones. It consists of five vertebrae called the five lumbar vertebrae.

Lumbar Curve

A normally lordotic curve (inward curve) of the spine that is formed by the alignment of lumbar vertebrae. It can abnormally be excessive (hyper lordosis) or decreased (flat back) due to postural problems and muscle imbalance.

LumbarKyphosis

Postural abnormality in which the lumbar curve is flattened; most commonly due to poor lifestyle and prolonged crouched posture.

Lumbar Spine

The five vertebrae located in the lower back in the area below the dorsal spine and above the hip bones.

Lumbar Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back regions caused by a space occupying lesion, a broad and central disc herniation or slippage of the vertebrae.

Lumbosacral

“lumbo” stands for lumbar, and means lower back or related to the lumbar spine. “Sacral” means related to the sacrum which is the triangular bone at the end of the lumbar spine connecting it to the pelvis.Lumbosacral is an adjective that describes something related both the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine.

Luxation

Dislocation of a body part (e.g., a joint or a bone) it is different from sub-laxation which means a joint or bones are unstable and are prone to dislocation due to overstretch of the surrounding structures.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An imagine technique that uses strong magnetic fields to formulate pictures of the body tissues and organs in order to visualize their condition and diagnose abnormalities.

Magnetic Therapy

The use of magnets and magnetic fields to improve general health, promote healing and reduce pain.

Malignant

A medical term used to describe an abnormal uncontrollable event. For instance, malignant hypertension means very high uncontrollable blood pressure. Malignant tumour is also a common term that describes a cancer tumour that grows uncontrollably.

Malunion

“mal” means bad and “union” refers to the union of two ends of a broken bones. Thus, malunion is a term used to describe the condition in which a broken bone heals in an abnormal position.

Marginal Osteophytes

A common sign of bone arthritis in which bone spurs outgrow the edge of the bones and abnormal bone forms in the space between the two joint surfaces leading to increased friction, pain and limitation.

Massage Therapy

A type of manual therapy in which massage specialists use their hands, special instruments and different oils and topical ointments to treat soft tissue and improve circulation.

Mechanical Pain

Pain that originates from a mechanical structure such as muscles, bones, joints and soft tissues.

Medial

A word used to describe an inward position of something in comparison to another that is placed outward. Or to describe something that is closer to the body’s midline.

Medical Device Reporting

A tool used by the FDA to monitor performance and safety of medical devices in order to detect possible hazards and safety issues and contribute to benefit-risk assessments of the devices.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges; the layers surrounding the spinal cord and the brain. This inflammation commonly occurs due to viral or bacterial infections.

Microdiscectomy

A minimally invasive surgical procedure in which a herniated or a damaged disc or a part of it is removed in order to alleviate symptoms and restore function.

Milwaukee Brace

A custom-made spinal brace that is customised on a patient’s spinal curves in order to correct scoliosis and back deformities. It is usually used in children, but can also be used in adults.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

A surgery that involves operating through small incision with the guide of surgical instruments like the laparoscope. It holds less risk of complications than traditional surgeries.

Mobilization

A manual technique used by physiotherapists in which they tend to restore the normal mobility and range of joints by restoring the proper interplay and relation between the two joint surfaces.

MRI Scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

An imagine technique that uses strong magnetic fields to formulate pictures of the body tissues and organs in order to visualize their condition and diagnose abnormalities.

Muscle

A type of soft tissues that is capable of actively contracting. This characteristic makes muscles able of moving joints and bones, providing shape and contour to the body and protect internal organs. Muscles have different types: Skeletal, smooth muscles and the heart muscle.

Muscle Relaxants

Medications that produce relaxation and decrease tone of skeletal muscles in order to reduce symptoms such as pain, muscle spasm and hyperreflexia.

Muscle Spasm

Sudden, painful cramp or increase in the tone of a muscle or a group of muscles; it can occur due to exhaustion, overuse, muscle injury or dehydration.

Muscle Tension

Muscle tension or muscle tone refers to the fact that the muscles always remain partially contracted. However, in some cases, this tone may increase and result in pain, loss of function and restricted range of movement. This occurs in cases of muscle spasm and neurological conditions.

Myelalgia

“Myel” is a Latin word that refers to the spinal cord. “algia” is the Latin word for pain. Myelalgi refers to pain in the spinal cord or the membranes surrounding it.

Myelapoplexy

Bleeding inside the spinal cord or its surrounding structures. It is often caused by traumatic injuries, but can also be caused by damage to the capillaries of the spinal cord.

Myelatelia

“myel” is a Latin word referring to the spinal cord. “Atelia” means defect or imperfection. Myelatelia is a word that describes incomplete or defective formation of the spinal cord.

Myelogram

Myelogram or myelography is a combination of contrast dye with imagine devices (such as X-ray or CT) that is used to visualize problems of the spinal canal such as narrowing, spinal stenosis and nerve root compression.

Myelography

Myelography or Myelogram is a combination of contrast dye with imagine devices (such as X-ray or CT) that is used to visualize problems of the spinal canal such as narrowing, spinal stenosis and nerve root compression.

Myelopathy

“myel” is a Latin word referring to the spinal cord, “pathy” means pathology or disease. The word myelopathy means degeneration or affection of the spinal cord as a result of compression, inflammation or age-related changes of the spinal cord.

Mylogram

Mylogram or myelogram is a combination of contrast dye with imagine devices (such as X-ray or CT) that is used to visualize problems of the spinal canal such as narrowing, spinal stenosis and nerve root compression.

Myofascial Pain

Pain that originates at the muscle and its surrounding sheath known as the “fascia”

Myofascial Release

A manual technique used by physiotherapists in order to restore the mobility of muscles and the surrounding tissue called “fascia”. It is effective in reducing myofascial pain, preventing formation of trigger points and improving tissue flexibility.

Myotome

The pattern or group of muscles supplied by the same spinal nerve root.

Nerve

A bundle of nerve fibres that extends and travels through the body and transmits neural signals of two types: a) motor signals: those are orders from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles demanding them to perform specific movements. B) sensory signals: these are signals from skins and organs to the central nervous system regarding what they feel or receive from the external environment.

Nerve Block

A surgical procedure in which a specific medication is injected around a specific nerve to prevent pain sensation through that nerve.

Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)

An electro-diagnostic test that uses electrical current to test the continuity and the speed of signal delivery of specific nerve in order to diagnose a problem, determine severity, predict improvement or follow-up.

Nerve Root

The part of the nerve that leaves the spinal cord and exits the spinal canal to branch into smaller peripheral nerves in the body.

Neural Arch

The part of a vertebra that forms a hollow arch to form the spinal canal in which the spinal cord exists.

Neural Foraminal Stenosis

With the foramen being the passageway through which the nerve roots exit the spinal canal, foraminal stenosis is the narrowing of one or both foramina by enlarged bones or a herniated disc. Narrowing of the foramen results in nerve compression and neurological symptoms in the muscles and skin supplied by the compressed root.

Neuralgia

Pain that is felt through the course of a specific nerve. It can be a symptom of nerve damage or may be due to an unknown cause.

Neurectomy

“Neuro” means nerve, and “ectomy” means removal. Neurectomy refers to a surgical procedure in which a nerve or a part of a nerve is removed to relieve severe chronic pain that could not be treated by other treatment options.

Neuritis

Inflammation of a nerve or nerves of the peripheral nervous system caused by either injury, autoimmune diseases or infections.

Neuro Surgery

Surgeries that include operating on the brain, spinal cord and the peripheral nerves.

Neuroforaminal Narrowing

With the foramen being the passageway through which the nerve roots exit the spinal canal, neural foraminal stenosis is the narrowing of one or both foramina by enlarged bones or a herniated disc. Narrowing of the foramen results in nerve compression and neurological symptoms in the muscles and skin supplied by the compressed root.

Neurolysis

A nerve-blocking surgical procedure that involved injecting a nerve-damaging chemical such as alcohol to induce nerve degeneration and interrupt transmission of signals through this nerve in order to relieve pain after failure of treatment with other treatment options

Neuroma

A benign growth on the nerve that causes similar symptoms as a pinched nerve. It is common in the foot leading to tingling, numbness and pain around the areas supplied by the affected nerve.

Neuromuscular Scoliosis

An abnormal side-to-side curve of the spine that is caused by problems in the nerves and muscles. For instance, myopathy, cerebral palsy and spina bifida.

Neuropathic pain

Pain that originates from a problem in the nerve. It can be described as shooting, stabbing or burning sensation across the course of the affected nerve. Or can manifest as abnormal sensation in response to different stimui.

Neuropathy

Dysfunction, damage or disease of one nerve or more which results in neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling and pain.

Neurostimulation

Alternative therapeutic techniques that use electrical current to modulate the activity of the nerves and central nervous system in order to relieve pain. This technique uses invasive or non-invasive electrodes.

Neurosurgery

Surgeries that include operating on the brain, spinal cord and the peripheral nerves.

Nociceptive Pain

A type of pain that is felt by stimulating the nerve endings by inflammatory mediators released from body or tissue damage. This pain feels as sharp, throbbing pain in the injured body part.

Nociceptor

Pain receptors that respond to inflammatory mediators secreted by tissue damage. It is responsible for immediately reporting the damaging situation to the central nervous system so that a prompt action would be taken.

Non-invasive Procedure

A procedure that does not include inserting objects or needles inside the body, and also does not involve surgeries or incisions. An example of a non-invasive procedure is the electrical stimulation with skin electrodes.

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Over-the-counter medications that function to reduce abnormal body temperature, pain and inflammation. They are commonly used to treat symptoms such as headache, muscle ache, sprains and muscle injuries. An example of NSAIDs includes Ibuprofen

Non-Union

Failure of a broken bone to heal in the expected duration and while persisting for more than nine months and shows no signs of healing for three months or more.

Nuchal Rigidity

Nuchal rigidity means stiffness of the neck. It may manifest as neck tightness, pain and inability to bend, extend, rotate the neck or move it from side to side. The cause of this condition may be as simple as neck muscle spasm, or as serious as meningitis.

Nucleus Pulposus

The central jelly-like substance that forms the inside of an intervertebral disc that is contained and surrounded by another fibrous ring called the annulus fibrosus. The nucleus pulposus helps in absorbing shocks, preventing friction and allowing for mobility.

Occiput

In relation to the occipital bone, the word occiput refers to the most hind part of the skull where the head comes in contact with the back of the neck.

Occupational Therapist

A health professional whose job is to maintain and restore the fine function of the hand and restore patients’ function in manipulating small objects, mastering different types of grasps and becoming as independent as possible.

Olisthy

Slippage or displacement of the vertebra above on the vertebra beneath compared to their normal position over one another. This is an explicit term that refers to slippage in any direction including: forward slippage, backward slippage or slippage to the side.

Opioids

“Opio” refers to the word opium. “oid” means similar to or alike. The word opioids, refers to a group of medications resembling opium; the body’s natural pain killer substance. Opioids, on the other hand, are synthetic medications that reduce pain by binding to the pain receptors in the nervous system.

Orthopaedics (also Orthopedics)

A branch of medicine and surgery that is concerned with the health and function of bones and joints. It has different goals including correcting deformities, treating bone conditions and improving bone health.

Orthopaedic Implants

Metallic pieces of different shapes inserted into bones for the sake of improving its alignment, maintain apposition of broken bones and promote healing in the correct position or substitute for lost or damaged bones.

Orthopaedic Surgeon

A surgeon who is specialized in performing surgical operations on bones for the sake of repairing bone defects, correcting deformities, promoting proper fracture healing and improving overall bone function via the use of different techniques, devices and surgical approaches.

Orthopaedics

A branch of medicine and surgery that is concerned with the health and function of bones and joints. It has different goals including correcting deformities, treating bone conditions and improving bone health.

Ossification

Normally, ossification refers to the normal process of forming new bones. It occurs normally in children after they have grown up and in broken bones as they heal. However, it also occurs abnormally in tissues where bone does not normally exist (e.g., in muscles) after injury or major surgery.

Osteoarthritis

The most common type of arthritis that mainly affects the weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips and ankles. In this condition, a progressive wear and tear occurs in the articular cartilage resulting in increased friction in the joint with subsequent pain, inflammation, swelling and limitation.

Osteoblast

A type of bone cells that are responsible for building bones from scratch in the early stages of life, and remodelling already existing bones in later stages by depositioning calcium and other minerals into the bone.

Osteoclast

A type of bone cells responsible for destroying or breaking down bones by absorbing calcium and other minerals from the bone and into the blood stream. Normally, osteoclasts act in moderation and in balance with osteoclasts to regulate bone remodelling. However, when they work in excess, bone becomes abnormally fragile.

Osteoinductive

Materials that are capable of differentiating and acting inside the bone in order to initiate bone growth and mineralisation. They are used in bone grafts to promote healing and facilitate bone formation.

Osteomyelitis

Infection inside the bone that is often elicited by bacteria that reaches the bones following a fracture or surgery, or simply via the bloodstream. It usually affects long bones in the arms or legs. But it can also affect other bones such as the ribs.

Osteopathic Medicine

A method of treatment that treats patients as “one unit” focusing on the problem itself rather than the symptoms it causes. It includes manipulation of bones and organs using hands-on techniques in order to restore body balance.

Osteophyte

A bone spur that grows on the margin of a joint that undergoes osteoarthritic changes. It is often associated with inflammation and pain. And when osteophytes grow, they cause joint friction leading to increased pain and limitation.

Osteoporosis

Decreased bone mineral density leading to fragile, porous bone that is more prone to fractures. This condition occurs as a normal age-related physiological change in bone mineralisation. But it can also occur pathologically as a complication of several metabolic diseases (e.g., kidney failure)

Pain Medication

Medications that are used to reduce or inhibit the sensation of pain. They vary in nature and mechanism of action so that some of them are sold over-the-counter, like NSAIDs, and others require doctor’s prescription like morphine.

Paraplegia

Paralysis of both lower limbs following a neurological or a neuromuscular condition that affects the nerves or the muscles of the legs leading to inability to walk, feel the legs in addition to bower and urinary problems. The most common cause of paraplegia is a low-level spinal cord injury.

Paravertebral Muscle Spasm

Increased tension in the long muscles that are present on both sides of the spine due to assuming an abnormal posture for a long time, carrying a heavy weight or back problem affecting the nerves and tissues.

Paraesthesia

Sudden and abnormal sensation of tingling in the arms or legs that usually occurs because of irritation of the nerve supplying the area. It may be temporary when a temporary pressure is put on the nerve and the feeling goes away when the position is change.

Pars Interarticularis

A very thin piece of bone that connects the two upper and lower facets on a vertebra. It fixes each vertebra in position in relation to the adjacent vertebra. Pars fracture is common due to stress or overload. When this bone is broken, it leads to slippage of the vertebra over the one below.

Pedicle

A pedicle in general is a part that acts as a bridge connecting two body parts together. In the spine, the pedicles are thick cylindrical protrusions that protect the spinal canal from both sides, and also attaches the front and hind parts of a vertebra together

Pelvic Obliquity

Pelvic obliquity refers to a state where one side of the pelvis or the hip bone is higher than the other. This may occur occasionally when we walk or stand on one leg. However, in cases where the two legs are not equal in length, pelvic obliquity may be a problem that puts more load on one hip and sacroiliac joint.

Peridural Fibrosis

Formation of fibrous tissues or scarring around the nerve roots in the spine leading to adhesions and decreased mobility of the nerve. This fibrosis forms following spinal surgeries leading to continuation of symptoms regardless a successful operation.

Periosteum

A layer or a cover around the bones that contain blood vessels and nerves to the bones. It has three main functions; first, it provides blood supply and nutrition to the bone and the surrounding muscles, promotes bone growth and provides nerve supply to the bone.

Physiatrist

Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating pain from injuries using physical means such as physical therapy and non-surgical pain management techniques. A physiatrist can be a physician or an osteopath.

Physical Therapy

An allied health profession that aims at assessing and treating patients using biomechanical approaches to assess and treat muscles and soft tissue imbalances. Physical therapy focuses on using non-invasive modalities such as electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, manual therapy and therapeutic exercises.

Physiology

The science that is concerned with studying how body organs function and how body cells interplay to perform specific functions. It combines physics and biochemistry to gain better understanding of how the human body works.

Physiotherapy

An allied health profession that aims at assessing and treating patients using biomechanical approaches to assess and treat muscles and soft tissue imbalances. Physical therapy focuses on using non-invasive modalities such as electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, manual therapy and therapeutic exercises.

Piriformis Muscle

A hip muscle that lies deep to the gluteus maximus muscle (buttocks muscle). It acts with six other muscles to rotate the thigh bone outwards. When this muscle is tight and inflamed, it can compress the sciatic nerve leading to sciatica-like symptoms called the piriformis syndrome.

Piriformis Syndrome

Spasm and inflammation of the piriformis muscle, one of the hip’s external rotators, leading to compression and irritation to the sciatic nerve and resulting in pain and numbness down the leg resembling sciatica.

Platysma

A wide and superficial muscle of the neck that extends from the lower jaw to the collar bone. It acts while opening the mouth and also tenses the neck when contracted.

Plexus

A collection of the nerve roots that arise from the spinal roots. These nerves travel together in a neural network(plexus) before branching out to supply sensation and motor supply to the skin and muscles (e.g., brachial plexus in the arm)

Posterior Fusion

A surgical procedure in which the surgeon fuses two bone surfaces together in order to correct bone defect or substitute for a removed structure by reaching the spine from the back.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)

Also known as posterior fusion, PLIF is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon fuses two vertebraetogether in order to correct bone defect or substitute for a removed disc by reaching the spine from the back.

Posterolateral Gutter Fusion Surgery

A surgical procedure in which the surgeon fuses two vertebrae together by placing a bone graft in the back and side of the spine in order to correct bone defect or substitute for a removed disc. It is considered the golden approach to fuse the spine.

Prolotherapy

An injection therapy to treat chronic pain that includes injecting an irritating substance into the painful areas to strengthen the ligaments and improve symptoms. It is usually used to treat chronic back pain and sacroiliac dysfunction.

Prosthesis

Prothesis or prosthetic devices are devices that are custom-made to substitute for a missing part of the body or to enhance the function of a diseased part. For instance, a prosthetic leg after amputation.

Pseudoarthrosis (**also Pseudarthrosis, failed fusion**)

“Pseudo” means false or not true. And “arthrosis” means fusion. Pseudoarthrosis means false fusion and it refers to failure of a fusion surgery that tended to fuse two to bones together and omit the joint.

Rachialgia

“rachi” is a Greek word denoting the spinal cord or the spine. “algia” means pain. Rachialgia refers to pain in the spinal cord or the spine in general; and it is often associated with Pott’s disease of the spine.

Rachicentisis

“rachi” is a Greek word denoting the spinal cord or the spine. “centesis” means puncturing or tabbing a cavity with something sharp. The whole word means puncturing the lumbar spine to obtain a sample of the fluid around the spinal cord for analysis and diagnosis.

Rachiocampsis

Abnormal increase in curvature. In spine, when a front-to-back curve is abnormally increased, hyper kyphosis or hyper lordosis develop. When the side-to-side curvature abnormally increase, it is called scoliosis.

Rachiopathy

“rachio” is a Greek word denoting the spinal cord or the spine. “pathy” means pathology, disease or disorder. Rachiopathy refers to any disease of the spine or the spinal cord.

Rachioscoliosis

An abnormal side-to-side curve that affects people at any age and due to different causes. It most commonly occurs in children between 10 and 15 years. Based on the degree of scoliosis, treatment can vary from conservative physical therapy and bracing to surgical correction.

Radicular Pain

A type of pain that radiates from the back and spine to the hip and leg. or from the neck to the arm and shoulder. This pain is usually caused by a pinched or an entrapped nerve near the spine.

Radiculopathy

Pain, tingling and numbness that are felt away from the site of the original problem and through the course of a specific nerve root. E.g., from the back and spine to the hip and leg. This pain is usually caused by a pinched or an entrapped nerve near the spine.

Recombinant Human Protein

Specific proteins that are encoded by DNA and specifically prepared to be used in treatment of different conditions. An example of recumbent proteins is human insulin which is used in treatment of diabetes.

Referred Pain

A type of pain that is felt away from the site of the original problem. It is thought that referred pain occurs because the nerves conveying sensory signals to the brain reach the same spots in the brain or use the same pathway up the central nervous system.

Reflex

An automatic response that is done without voluntary control. An example of a reflex is coughing, which is a protective reflex to protect the airway. Spinal reflexes are sudden responses that are made without brain involvement. An example of spinal reflexes is suddenly withdrawing one’s hand when touching a hot object.

Relaxation Techniques

Therapeutic techniques that are used to promote relaxation and relieve tension from the body. These techniques may include breathing, gentle stretching, massage, yoga poses and meditation.

Resection

The surgical procedure of removing an internal organ or a part of the body (e.g., a lobe of the lung or the liver) or removing a growth or a part of a bone in order to correct its position or protect the surrounding structure. An example of bone resections in the back is laminectomy and facetectomy.

Resorption

A biological process in which something is reabsorbed from its original place for another purpose. Bone resorption is the process of breaking down bone tissues by the action of osteoclasts in order to use the minerals inside the bone (mainly calcium) when the blood has low amounts of calcium.

Retrolisthesis

Displacement or slippage of the vertebra above in a posterior or a backward direction compared to the vertebra below it. This condition is often diagnosed by assessing the alignment of the vertebrae in an X-ray image taken from the side.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects multiple joints (mainly small joints). Its typical manifestations include joint pain, swelling, limiter movement, and morning stiffness. By the passage of time, it also leads to joint deformities.

Rhizolysis

A form of treatment that uses radiofrequency device to target specific nerves. The heat from the device damages the nerves to prevent them from sending pain signals to the central nervous system.

Rhizotomy

“Rhizo” means a root or roots, and “otomy” means partial removal. Rhizotomy refers to the surgical procedure in which the surgeon selectively destroys specific nerve fibres in the spinal roots that are causing pain in order to relieve the symptoms.

Ruptured Disc

Bulging or slipping of the inner part of the disc called the nucleus pulposus. This bulge tears the annulus fibrosis and pushes out slipping into the spinal canal. With the passage of time, the disc ruptures or herniates leading to compression on the surrounding structures.

Rib Hump

In scoliosis, the rotation and side-to-side curvature of the spine cause the ribs to form a dome-like hump on the convex side of the curve. The rib hump is a primary indicator of presence and progression of scoliosis in adolescents.

Sacral

An adjective used to describe something that is related to the sacrum, which is a large, triangle-in-shape bone at the end of the spine.

Sacroiliac Joint

“Sacro” refers to the sacrum bone, and “iliac” refers to the ilium, which is the large wing-shaped hip bone. The sacroiliac joint is the joint between the end of the spine and the large bone of the pelvis. It is present on both sides of the body.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Affection in the movement or the position of the one or both joints between the lower end of the spine (sacrum) and the hip bone (ilium). SIJ dysfunction manifests as lower back pain that refers to the legs or joint inflammation that is known as sacroiliitis.

Sacroiliac Joint Hypermobility

Increased mobility and range of movement of the sacroiliac joint compared to the range normally and anatomically allowed by the joint. This condition occurs because of loose or overstretched ligaments that are supposed to stabilise the joint. Hypermobility can cause pain and may result in joint mispositioning, dysfunction and poor posture.

Sacroiliac Joint Hypomobility

Reduced or limited movement of the sacroiliac joint compared to the range normally and anatomically allowed by the joint. This condition results in back and leg pain, decreased flexibility and abnormal posture due to pelvic misalignment.

Sacrum

A triangular bone that is present at the base of the spine right below the lumbar vertebrae. It is the bone that connects the lumbar spine with the pelvis by forming articulation of sacroiliac joints on both sides of the body.

Sagittal

In anatomy, sagittal is a word used to describe an imaginary plane or a surface that divides the body longitudinally into right and left sides.

Scheuermann’s Disease

Scheuermann’s, disease (also known as juvenile kyphosis) is a structural deformity in the upper or the middle back that develops in children. It is often accompanied with changes in the shape of the vertebral bodies leading to a rounded back.

Sciatic Nerve

The sciatic nerve, is one of the main nerves in the body and the largest branch of the sacral plexus. It runs from the back to the sole of the foot supplying the skin and muscles with neural signals. Compression or entrapment of this nerve causes a common condition known as sciatica.

Sciatica

A condition of neural symptoms (e.g., pain, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness) along the course of the sciatic nerve that runs from the back to the sole of the foot, It usually occurs when the nerve is compressed anywhere across its course.

Scoliosis

An abnormal side-to-side curve that affects people at any age and due to different causes. It most commonly occurs in children between 10 and 15 years. Based on the degree of scoliosis, treatment can vary from conservative physical therapy and bracing to surgical correction.

Scoliotic Curve

Scoliosis is a side-to-side curve of the spine that most commonly occurs in adolescents up to 15 years old. However, it can also occur in adults due to poor posture and muscle imbalance.

Sepsis

Sepsis, septic shock, septicaemia or blood poisoning is a life-threatening condition that occurs in response infection when the immune system overreacts to an organism in the blood stream and starts damaging the body’s own tissues and organs leading to multi-organ failure.

Sequestrated Disc

Disc sequestration is a disc problem in which the content of the disc herniates out of its place, then detaches and migrates into the spinal canal. This problem is often seen on MRI.

Shiatsu Massage

A form of Japanese manual technique that focuses on the basic concepts of Chinese medicine such as the body meridians and the acupressure points and it is derived from the old massage technique called anma.

Shingles

A viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It causes painful skin rash and usually resolves on its own within 3-4 weeks. However, receiving anti-viral treatment can shorten the duration and reduce severity of the infection.

Short Leg Syndrome

Also known as leg-length discrepancy, a common problem in children’s bones in which there is difference in the length of the lower limbs. It is usually categorised as true or false discrepancy. True leg length difference is a structural difference in the length of the bones, while false difference is functional due to mispositioning of the bones or tilting of the pelvis.

Skeleton

A skeleton is the bony frame which gives a body its shape, supports the body and protects the internal organs. It also gives attachment to muscles and allow for movement by forming joints.

SNRI Medications

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) are a class or a group of medications that affect the receptors of serotonin and function as anti-depressants that are used in the treatment of anxiety and depression.

Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SSEP)

A method used to test and measure the electrical activities in specific parts of the brain and spinal cord by stimulating specific sensory pathways in the arm, legs or other parts of the body.

Spina Bifida

A defect that is present at birth in which the spinal cord and the vertebrae are mis-shaped. This defect starts in the foetal development period during the formation of the neural tube and results in a part of the spinal cord and the spinal canal being exposed without vertebral coverage around them.

Spinal canal

A canal that is formed by the aligned foramina of the vertebrae forming a hollow pathway through which the spinal cord passes. It is filled with clear fluid known as the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that protects the central nervous system.

Spinal Canal Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal as a result of degeneration or herniation of the intervertebral discs, change in vertebral alignment such as slippage, or growth of an abnormal cyst or tumour inside the canal. Stenosis leads to compression on the spinal cord and the nerve roots resulting in neurological symptoms of varying severity.

Spinal Column

A series of vertebrae aligned and articulated together in a specific manner, separated by with cushion-like intervertebral discs, and supported by several passive structures (i.e., ligaments) and active structures (e.g., muscles). They help the body remain erect and provides protection for the spinal cord.

Spinal Cord

A part of the central nervous system that looks like a long, cord-like band of nerves and nerve cells. It extends from the base of the brain and brain stem and passes through the neural foramina of the vertebrae. Along the way, it gives rise to the spinal nerves and helps signalling sensation and motor orders to and from different body parts.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

A medical device that is implanted inside the body to stimulates the spinal cord through low level electrical current. These currents help relieving pain through occupying the nerves and blocking the passage of pain signals; a theory called (the gate control theory)

Spinal Disc

A cushion-like structure that is present between two vertebrae in the neck, or back; it allows the spine to move in flexion, extension and rotation without placing shear force on the bones.

Spinal Fusion

A surgery in which the surgeon fuses two vertebrae together in order to limit the movement in between them, provide segment stability after removing the damaged disc in between or correcting the alignment of vertebrae.

Spinal Instability

Increased mobility between two vertebrae of the lumbar spine due to abnormal position of the vertebrae in relation to one another, laxity of the ligaments and weakness of the muscles surrounding them.

Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation is a type of therapy that combines manual and instrumental techniques to relieve pressure on the vertebra and the disc in between and free surrounding nerves from the compression placed on them.

Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal as a result of degeneration or herniation of the intervertebral discs, change in vertebral alignment such as slippage, or growth of an abnormal cyst or tumour inside the canal. Stenosis leads to compression on the spinal cord and the nerve roots resulting in neurological symptoms of varying severity.

Spinal Tap

Spinal tap or lumbar puncture is a procedure in which the surgeon removes spinal fluid from in order to analyse it and diagnose inflammatory and infective disorders of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Spinal Tumour

An abnormal mass or growth inside or around the spinal cord or the spinal canal. These tumours can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and they may compress vital parts of the nervous system leading to neurological symptoms.

Spine

The spine, spinal column or the backbone, is a series of vertebrae aligned and articulated together in a specific manner, separated by with cushion-like intervertebral discs, and supported by several passive structures (i.e., ligaments) and active structures (e.g., muscles). They help the body remain erect and provides protection for the spinal cord.

Spinous Process

The spinous process is the bone which is sticking out of each vertebra in a backward direction. It is formed by the two laminae meeting at the back of the vertebral arch. These processes are important because they give attachment to the muscles and ligaments around the spine.

Spondylarthritis

A type of joint arthritis which affects the spine and occasionally affects the joints of the legs and arms, intestine, skin and the eyes. Patients with spondylarthritis complain of lower back pain.

Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis or spondylitis is an inflammatory condition that cause the vertebrae to inflame, grow spurs and, by the passage of time, fuse together resulting in a decreased flexibility of the spine and a rounded back.

Spondylo

‘Spondylo’ is a Latin prefix that is means vertebrae or the spine. It is added to other suffix words to describe conditions of the spine. For instance, noting that “it is” means inflammation, the word spondylitis means inflammation of the vertebrae.

Spondylolisthesis

Slippage or displacement of the vertebra above on the vertebra beneath compared to their normal position over one another. This is an explicit term that refers to slippage in any direction including: forward slippage, backward slippage or slippage to the side.

Spondylolysis

A case in which a thin bone in the vertebra called (pars interarticularis) is broken due to stress on the bones along with decreased bone strength. This fracture leads to instability and displacement of the affected segment.

Spondylopathy

“Spondylo” means vertebrae, and “pathy” means dysfunction and pathology. The whole word refers to dysfunction and arthritis of the spine that affect the vertebrae and the surrounding joints leading to swelling, redness and pain with associated limitation in function and movement.

Spondylosis

A condition of wear and tear in the spine in which the discs and the joints between the vertebrae undergo degenerative changes and arthritis. In this case, bone spurs appear on the vertebrae impairing the movement and flexibility of the spine, compressing nerves and affecting spinal function.

Stenosis

The word stenosis is a Greek word that means ‘Narrow’. It is used to describe the abnormal narrowing in a tubular organ or structure inside the body. For instance, spinal stenosis refers to narrowing of the spinal canal leading to compression on the spinal cord and the nerve roots.

Subluxation

Partial dislocation of a joint inside the body. It mainly occurs because of an abnormal stretch of the ligaments supporting the joint, weakness of the surrounding muscle or dysfunction of the joint structure itself. Sublaxation leads to instability, pain and discomfort.

Swedish Massage

A manual therapy technique that is formed of kneading strokes along with tapping movements directed towards improving the condition of the soft tissues and muscles, reduce pain and relieve tension.

Synovial Cyst

A benign (non-cancerous) sac that forms inside the joint as a part of the age-related degenerative changes. They are filled with the synovial fluid, which is the fluid lubricating the joint inside the joint capsule. Synovial cysts usually form in the joints of the spine, most commonly in the lower back.

Tendon

A cord-like structure made of strong, yet flexible tissues. It forms the end of the skeletal muscle and connects the fleshy part of the muscle to the bone. The functions of a tendon include providing muscle attachment and preventing injuries.

Thoracic Spine

The thoracic spine, also known as the dorsal spine, is the middle section of the spine between the neck (cervical spine) and the lower back (lumbar spine). It consists of 12 vertebrae all of which are attached to the adjacent ribs.

Thoracic Vertebrae

Twelve vertebrae that constitute the middle section of the spine between the neck and the lower back. These vertebrae are unique because they provide attachment to the ribs and also come in contact with the shoulder blade. They are well-known for being the most stable segment of the spine.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms inside a blood vessel attached to its wall due to increased clotting tendency of the blood, or loss of the smooth surface on the inside wall of the vessel. A thrombus can detach, travel in blood and occlude the flow of blood resulting in cutting oxygen supply to the part supplied by the occluded artery.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS, electrotherapy)

A therapeutic device that uses electrical current to relieve pain. Each device contains one or more electrical channel ending with a sticky pad that is attached to the skin. The electrical current from the TENS device travels in the nerves and blocks passage of pain signals.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

A therapeutic device that uses electrical current to relieve pain. Each device contains one or more electrical channel ending with a sticky pad that is attached to the skin. The electrical current from the TENS device travels in the nerves and blocks passage of pain signals.

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

A Transforaminal Interbody Lumbar Fusion is a type of surgery in which the surgeon removes a herniated or damaged disc between two vertebrae and fuses the bodies of both vertebrae together by using a bone graft from the same person or from a bone bank.

Transitional Vertebrae

A vertebra that has mixed characteristic features that look like two spinal segments. For instance, one of the most common transitional vertebrae is the fifth lumbar vertebra, when it is fused to the sacral segment. Thus, it has mixed features between lumbar and sacral segments.

Transverse Process

The wing-like protrusion that is sticking out of a vertebra on both sides. It serves as an important attachment to muscles and ligaments that maintain posture and provide stability to the spine.

Trigger Point

Myofascial trigger points are hyperirritable, and hypersensitive knots that form in skeletal muscles. They are felt across the skin as peanuts or peans that are painful. They affect patients’ function by affecting muscles, producing muscle spasm, twitching or weakness.

Trigger Point Injections

A trigger point injection is a shot of an anaesthetic drug or steroids that are used to relieve muscle pain caused by trigger points. It is also used in the treatment of fibromyalgia, tension headache and myofascial pain syndrome.

Trigger Point Myotherapy

Trigger point myotherapy or neuromuscular therapy is an alternative method of treating myofascial pain and trigger points by applying 30-second pressure on the spasmed muscles. This pressure can be applied manually by the therapist’s fingers, knuckles or elbows, or it can be applied using specific instruments.

Upper Back Pain

Pain that is felt anywhere down the neck, between shoulder blades and above the end of the rib cage. This type of back pain can be caused by muscle and joint injuries, spasm, strain and can be referred from another organ such as the pleura or the heart.

Uncovertebral Joint

A joint between a bone called the uncus, and the body of the vertebra above. This joint is known as Luschka’s joint or joint of Luschka, and it is only present in the cervical vertebrae from C3 to C7.

Vagus Nerve

The main parasympathetic nerve in the human body. It is responsible for several parasympathetic functions including digestion, regulation of heart rate and immune system. There are two vagal nerves in the body, both controlling involuntary functions.

Vasoconstriction

Decrease of the diameter of a blood vessel as a result of contraction of the smooth muscles forming its wall. This function controls how much blood reaches the cells and also regulates blood pressure.

Vasodilatation

Increase of the diameter of a blood vessel as a result of relaxation of the smooth muscles forming its wall. This function controls how much blood reaches the cells and also regulates blood pressure.

Vasospasm

Narrowing of a blood vessel that results in reduction of the blood flow to the tissues. When the blood to the cells is restricted, the supplied tissues may undergo ischemia (blood deprivation) which affects its function and may result in tissue damage if it lasts for a long time.

Vertebrae (Plural) Vertebra (Single)

A series of bones that form the backbone by being aligned and articulated together in a specific manner, separated by with cushion-like intervertebral discs, and supported by several passive structures (i.e., ligaments) and active structures (e.g., muscles). They help the body remain erect and provides protection for the spinal cord.

Vertebral Body

The front and main part of a vertebra that looks like a round plate and receives 80% of the weight falling on the vertebra. It provides attachment to the intervertebral disc that prevents friction between the vertebral bodies.

Vertebroplasty

“Vertebro” refers to the vertebrae of the spine, while “plasty” means correction. Vertebroplasty is an out-patient procedure in which the doctor injects a cement-like material inside the vertebral body to stabilise a compression fracture that often occurs due to fragile bones. The injected cement then hardens and fills in for the broken bone.

Vertebral End Plates

A two-layer surface that separates the flat surface of the vertebral body from the intervertebral disc. It consists of a cartilaginous layer and another layer of porous bone.

Whiplash

Originally, a whiplash is the long, cord-like, flexible part of the whip. However, this word is used to describe a neck injury that occurs when excessive neck hyperflexion is suddenly followed by hyperextension, as happens with sudden brakes in a motor vehicle.

Xenograft

A tissue or an organ that is used as a graft or a transplant but it is originally taken from a donor whose species is different from that of the recipient. For instance, animals like pigs and cows.

Z Plasty

A plastic surgery that is used as a reconstructive method to improve the appearance and elasticity of scars following burns or surgeries. In this procedure, the plastic surgeon revises the scar and creates two z-shaped flaps to allow better healing of the scar.