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BACK GLOSSARY
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Laminectomy
A procedure involving surgical removal of the bony arch of the vertebrae which covers the nerve and allows for exploration of the disc and foramina.
Ligaments
Fibrous tissue which connects bone to bone.
Log Rolling
Technique used to turn in bed. Patients are instructed to brace the stomach muscles, and move the shoulders and hips at the same time to prevent twisting the spine. This is especially helpful for patients following spine surgery as twisting is often painful and stressful to the surgical site.
Lumbar
Of or pertaining to the part of the spine between the thoracic spine and the pelvis.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A special study to help the Spine Team obtain a diagnosis for a particular spinal problem. Images are obtained by using a high-strength magnetic field and radiowaves, which allows for high resolution of localized images of the spine without the ionizing radiation effects associated with x-rays. Patients enter a large room, lie on a sliding narrow bed, and then are placed inside a very large metal, tunnel-shaped magnet. Nothing touches the body and no sensations are felt during the test. During this time, patients will hear a repetitive, tapping noise which occurs while the machine is taking pictures from various angles. Patients are in constant communication with the people performing the exam. The entire examination should take about one hour, the actual scanning procedure occurring intermittently during this time. It is important that patients remain motionless and relaxed while the scans are obtained. Rarely, the exam can take as long as 90 minutes. Occasionally, a person may have a sense of claustrophobia while in the imager. If this cannot be tolerated, the patient is allowed to leave. Any metal sutures, screws, plates, or other metallic devices in the body will prevent the patient from having this test.
Mobilization
A form of manual therapy in which a physical therapist, chiropractor or physician of osteopathy performs deep soft tissue therapy for possible pain relief and/or increased joint mobility.
Muscle Relaxants
Medications that reduce contractibility of muscle fibers, which in turn may relieve some types of muscle spasm.
Muscle
Specialized fibers composed of bundles which have the ability to shorted and lengthen. Muscles attach to the bone via a tendon and function to provide movement. Specialized muscles also act to hold the body erect against the pull of gravity.
Myelogram
An x-ray film taken after the injection of radiopaque material into the spinal canal to demonstrate any distortion of the spinal cord, spinal nerves, and the subarachnoid space. This diagnostic test, though not used as frequently as in the past, is used to confirm the presence of some types of herniated discs as well as spinal cord tumors.
NPO
Nothing by Mouth. No foods or liquids.
Nerve
One or more bundles of impulse-carrying fibers that connect the brain and the spinal cord with other parts of the body. Nerves transmit impulses to and from the brain to organs and extremities.
Nerve Compression
A pathologic condition that causes pressure on nerves, resulting in possible nerve damage and muscle weakness or atrophy. Modification of causative activities, such as body mechanics, often heals nerve damage caused by compression. Surgery may be required to correct more severe cases.
Neurosurgeon
A physician member of the Spine Team who specializes in surgery involving the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves.
Non-invasive Procedure
Pertaining to diagnostic or therapeutic techniques that do not require the skin to be broken or a cavity or organ of the body to be entered, such as a CT Scan, MRI, or x-ray.
Nucleus Pulposus
The inner portion of the disc which has a gel-like consistency and is surrounded by the annulus fibrosis.
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