Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

A
ACD/ACDF: Anterior Cervical Discectomy (with Fusion)
ALIF: Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Angiogram: Medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and organs of the body, with particular interest in the arteries, veins and the heart chambers
APTA: American Physical Therapy Association
AROM: Active Range Of Motion
Arthritis: A form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints
Arthrosis: Also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is a group of mechanical abnormalities involving degradation of joints
B
Bone spur: Bony projections that form along joints
Bracing: External device to support joint and or posture
C
CAT scan: X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a medical imaging method using tomography created by computer processing to create a 3-D image of the inside of an object from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation.
Cervical: Pertaining to the Cervical Spine or neck
Chiropractic: A form of alternative medicine that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine, under the hypothesis that these disorders affect general health via the nervous system
Chiropractor: Doctor of Chiropractic
Conservative Treatment: Non-surgical treatment
CORE: Internal muscle group supporting the core integrity of the Cervical, Thoracic and or Lumbar spine
Corpectomy: A surgical procedure that involves removing part of the vertebral body
CT Scan: X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a medical imaging method using tomography created by computer processing to create a 3-D image of the inside of an object from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation.
D
DDD: Degenerative Disc Disease. A syndrome in which a compromised disc causes low back pain
Decompression Therapy: Non-surgical spinal decompression is achieved through the use of a mechanical traction device applied through an on-board computer that controls the force and angle of disc distraction, which reduces the body's natural propensity to resist external force and/or generate muscle spasm. This enhanced control allows non-surgical spinal decompression tables to apply a traction force to the discs of the spinal column reducing intradiscal pressure, unlike previous non-computer controlled traction tables.
Dermatome: An area of skin that is supplied by a single pair of dorsal roots
Disc: Intervertebral discs lie between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. Each disc forms a cartilaginous joint to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, and acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together
Doctor of Physical Therapy: A post-baccalaureate three-year degree conferred upon successful completion of a professional (entry-level) clinical doctoral level professional or post-professional (transition) physical therapist education program for the licensed physical therapist.
Dowager's Hump: A common condition of a curvature of the upper back. It can be either the result of degenerative diseases (such as arthritis), developmental problems (the most common example being Scheuermann's disease), osteoporosis with compression fractures of the vertebrae, and/or trauma
E
EEG: EEG refers to the recording of the brain's spontaneous electrical activity over a short period of time, usually 20-40 minutes, as recorded from multiple electrodes placed on the scalp
EMG: Electromyography is a technique for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles
EMR: Electronic Medical Chart, a computerized medical record created in an organization that delivers care
Endoscopic: looking inside the body for medical reasons using an endoscope which is an instrument used to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity of the body
ESI: Epidural Steroid Injection may be used to help reduce the pain caused by a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, or stenosis (cervical spinal stenosis or lumbar spinal stenosis). These spinal disorders often affect the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) areas of the spine.
E-stim: Electrical Stimulation of muscles
F
Facet joint: A zygapophysial joint (zygapophyseal, or facet joint) is a synovial joint between the superior articular process of one vertebra and the inferior articular process of the vertebra directly above it. There are two facet joints in each spinal motion segment.
FDA Studies: Studies done for the Federal Drug Administration
Foramen: An opening on the side of the spine, in between two vertebae
Fusion: A surgical technique used to join two or more vertebrae. Supplementary bone tissue, either from the patient (autograft) or a donor (allograft), is used in conjunction with the body's natural bone growth (osteoblastic) processes to fuse the vertebrae.
H
Herniation: A medical condition affecting the spine, in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc (discus intervertebralis) allows the soft, central portion (nucleus pulposus) to bulge out
HNP: Herniation of the Nucleus Pulposus
I
Inter Spinous Spacer: Small implant that can take the pressure off of pinched nerves due to lumbar spinal stenosis
K
Kyphoplasty: Spinal procedure where bone cement is injected through a small hole in the skin (percutaneously) into a fractured vertebra with the goal of relieving the pain of osteoporotic compression fractures with the use of a small balloon.
L
Lamina: Laminae are two broad plates, extending dorsally and medially from the pedicles, fusing to complete the roof of the vertebral arch
Laminectomy: Removal of the lamina, typically done to provide more space for the spinal cord as a treatment of Spinal Stenosis
LOP: Letter of Protection
Lumbar: Pertaining the lower back
M
Microdiscectomy: Microdiscectomy uses a special microscope to view the disc and nerves during the discectomy surgery during which herniated disc material is removed that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: Surgery with a minimal amount of tissue damage
Mobilization: A type of passive movement of a skeletal joint
MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI), or magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structures
MRI with contrast: MRI contrast is used in specific circumstances and enhances the MRI scan images
Myelogram: A type of radiographic examination that uses a contrast medium to detect pathology of the spinal cord, including the location of a spinal cord injury, cysts, and tumors
Myotome: The muscles served by a single nerve root
N
Narcotics: A psychoactive compound with any sleep-inducing properties which also may have opiod properties often used for severe pain control
NASA: North American Spine Association
Nerve Ablation: Radiofrequency nerve ablation is an outpatient procedure that aims to heat a specific nerve that supply the facet joint (source of the pain). With the heat the nerve is temporarily deactivated and the pain signal is interrupted
Nerve Conduction Study: A test commonly used to evaluate the function, especially the ability of electrical conduction, of the motor and sensory nerves of the human body
Nerve Root: The initial segment of a nerve leaving the central nervous system
Neurological: The science of the nerves and the nervous system, especially of the diseases affecting them
Non-Conservative Treatment: See open surgery
NSAID's: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are drugs with analgesic and antipyretic (fever-reducing) effects and which have, in higher doses, anti-inflammatory effects
Numbness: A sensation of tingling, pricking, or numbness of a person's skin with no apparent long-term physical effect. It is more generally known as the feeling of "pins and needles" or of a limb "falling asleep". The manifestation of paresthesia may be transient or chronic and may be caused by nerve compression
O
Open Surgery: An invasive procedure is one which penetrates or breaks the skin or enters a body cavity
Orhopaedic Spine Surgeon: Orthopaedic spine surgeons specialize in treating spinal injuries and disorders complete four to five years of specialty training in addition to their MD education.
Osteopenia: A condition where bone mineral density is lower than normal
Osteophyte: A type of bone spur, are bony projections that form along joints
Osteoporosis: A disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture.[1] In osteoporosis the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered
P
Pedicle: The segment between the transverse process and the vertebral body
Pedicle Screw: A fixation screw, often used in spinal fusion which is inserted into the pedicle part of the vertebral arch
PET scan: Positron emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine imaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image or picture of functional processes in the body
Physical Therapist: Primary healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions, illnesses, or injuries that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities as well as they would like in their daily lives
Physical Therapist Assisitant: Licensed Healthcare Professionals who assist the Physical Therapist in the delivery of the PT Plan of Care
Physical Therapy: Often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession which aims the physical treatment and management of disease or condition which enables people to reach their maximum potential
PI: Personal Injury
PLIF: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion. The disc is accessed from a posterior incision
PROM: Passive Range Of Motion
Proprioception: The sense of the relative position of neighboring parts of the body
Protrusion: A disease condition which can occur in which the outermost layers of the annulus fibroses of the intervertebral discs of the spine are intact, but bulge when one or more of the discs are under pressure. A disc protrusion may progress to a spinal disc herniation, a condition in which there is a tear in the annulus fibroses.
R
Radicular: Pain "radiated" along the dermatome (sensory distribution) of a nerve due to inflammation or other irritation of the nerve root (radiculopathy) at its connection to the spinal column
Radicular Symptoms: Symptoms experienced in the distribution of the spinal dermatome
Reconstructive Spine Surgery: Spine surgery during which the spine is reconstructed with the use of hard ware, to help reduce pain symptoms and improve the patient's posture
Reflexes: An involuntary and nearly instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus
Rhizotomy: A neurosurgical procedure that selectively severs problematic nerve roots in the spinal cord, most often to relieve pain symptoms
ROM: Range Of Motion
S
SAID's: Steroidal Ant Inflammatory Drugs. Much stronger than NSAID's and also used to treat inflammation
Scarring: The formation of scar tissue as a result of a cut or an incision
Sciatica: Sciatica is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression and/or irritation of one of five spinal nerve roots that give rise to each sciatic nerve, or by compression or irritation of the left or right or both sciatic nerves
Scoliosis: A medical condition in which a person's spine is curved from side to side
Selective Endoscopic Discectomy: Compression facture of one of the vertebal bodies, typical after a fall or car accident
Spinal: Pertaining to the spine
Spinal Canal: The spinal canal (or vertebral canal or spinal cavity) is the space in vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes.
Spinal Cord: The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain (the medulla oblongata specifically). The spinal cord begins at the Occipital bone and extends down to the space between the first and second lumbar vertebrae; it does not extend the entire length of the vertebral column
Spinal Nerve: The term spinal nerve generally refer to a mixed spinal nerve, which carries motor, sensory, and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the body
Spinal Stenosis: An abnormal narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal column that may occur in any of the regions of the spine
Spinous Process: The spinous process of a vertebra is directed backward and downward from the junction of the laminae (in humans), and serves for the attachment of muscles and ligaments
Spondylolisthesis: Spondylolisthesis describes the forward or backward displacement of a vertebra or the vertebral column in relation to the vertebrae below
Spondylolysis: Spondylolysis is a defect of a vertebra. The great majority of cases occur in the lowest of the lumbar vertebrae (L5) and often involves a fracture of the pars interarticularis.
Spondylosis: Spondylosis is a term referring to degenerative osteoarthritis of the joints between the centra of the spinal vertebrae and/or neural foraminae
T
TENS: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is the use of electric current produced by a device to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes. TENS by definition covers the complete range of transcutaneously applied currents used for nerve excitation although the term is often used with a more restrictive intent, namely to describe the kind of pulses produced by portable stimulators used to treat pain
Therapeutic Ultrasound: Therapeutic ultrasound as a treatment modality that has been used by therapists over the last 50 years to treat soft tissue injuries
Thoracic: Pertaining to the thorax
Tingling: A sensation of tingling, pricking, or numbness of a person's skin with no apparent long-term physical effect. It is more generally known as the feeling of "pins and needles" or of a limb "falling asleep". The manifestation of paresthesia may be transient or chronic and may be casued by nerve compression
TLIF: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. The disc is accessed from a posterior incision on one side of the spine
Traction: A set of mechanisms for straightening broken bones or relieving pressure on the skeletal system
Transverse Process: The transverse or costal processes (la. processus transversus) of a vertebra, two in number, project one at either side from the point where the lamina joins the pedicle, between the superior and inferior articular processes. They serve for the attachment of muscles and ligaments.
Twilight sedation: A type of anesthetic technique where a mild dose of general anesthesia is applied that affects the brain as well as the entire body. The patient is not unconscious, but sedated. During surgery or other medical procedures, the patient is under what is known as a "twilight state", where the patient is relaxed and "sleepy", able to follow simple directions by the doctor, and is responsive. Generally, twilight anesthesia causes the patient to forget the surgery and the time right after
U
Ultrasound/sonogram: An ultrasound-based diagnostic imaging technique used for visualizing subcutaneous body structures including tendons, muscles, joints, vessels and internal organs for possible pathology or lesions. Obstetric sonography is commonly used during pregnancy and is widely recognized by the public.
V
Vertebral body: The body is the largest part of a vertebra, and is more or less cylindrical in shape.
Vertebral Compression Fracture: Compression facture of one of the vertebal bodies, typical after a fall or car accident
Vertebroplasty: Spinal procedure where bone cement is injected through a small hole in the skin (percutaneously) into a fractured vertebra with the goal of relieving the pain of osteoporotic compression fractures.
W
WC: Worker's Compensation
X
X-LIF: Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (XLIF) is a minimally-invasive procedure used to treat leg or back pain generally caused by degenerative disc disease. The procedure is performed through the patient's side, avoiding the major muscles of the back.
X-ray: X rays are a type of radiation used in imaging and therapy that uses short wavelength energy beams
X-Stop: The X-STOP Spacer is a small implant that can take the pressure off of pinched nerves due to lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). The X-STOP Spacer is implanted during a short procedure, typically 45 to 90 minutes. In some patients, it can be performed on an outpatient basis and with local anesthesia.
Y
YESS: The YESS procedure is a minimally-invasive spinal procedure designed to relieve symptoms caused by herniated discs pressing on nerves. It employs the Yeung Endoscopic Spine Surgery (YESS) System designed specifically to allow the surgeon to see anatomical structures and pathological changes with great clarity and an unhindered view.