Dr Kenneth P Burres says....

Term or Phrase

Definition

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Bone spur

a buildup of bone at the edge of a joint or vertebra. It is often, in the spine, near a nerve.

Bulging disc

A problem disc, where a portion “bulges” up from the normal position. It can abutt a nerve and then can cause pain. It is often confused with a minimal herniated disc

Cervical spine

The portion of the spine that connects the skull to the chest portion of the spine. It is involved with whiplash injuries

Contained herniated disc

An intervertebral disc that is abnormal and causing symptoms, most usually spine pain. At times, difficult to diagnose and may require discography.

Disc-- intervertebral

The cartilaginous structure separating vertebrae or spinal bones. There are different forms-- normal, bulging, herniated, protruded, extruded or recurrent

Foramen

Also called exit foramen. This is the hole along the side of the side where the nerve leaves to go to an arm or leg. Often it is the location of a pinch that causes pain

Kyphoplasty

Procedure to reconstruct a vertebra that has partially collapsed from injury, tumor, or osteoporosis (VCF)

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Laser

Light that is magnified and amplified to extreme temperatures so it can convert solid materials (like discs) directly to gas. The lens used to do this can be holmium, or carbon dioxide, etc.

Holmium

A substance used to amplify and focus light energy to boost it to 2300 degrees C

Herniation-- discal

when a disc partially escapes the disc space. The ligament that holds it in place, the annulus, stretches or tears and the cartilaginous disc then can “come out” and irritate the nearby nerve

Protrusion-- discal

Another term for herniation

Lamina (wrst laminectomy

The roof of the spine. Above it is the spinous process and below are the nerves and spinal cord in the spinal canal. When a laminectomy is done, the roof is removed and the muscles next to it can no longer attach and support the spine.

Ligament (like ligamentum flavum)

The soft tissue that covers the spinal cord and helps support the spine (normally it is yellow)

Nerves

The “wires” of the nervous system... they transfer messages from nerve cells to muscles and other structures. They connect the spine to the arms and legs and produce sciatic pain when irritated

Neuro-endoscope

The device or periscope that looks in and around nervous structures. It is small enough to go into small spaces and carry optical fibers.

Spinal cord

The main nerve that connects the brain into the neck and into the lower back. It can be pressed on by discs in the neck and this can be termed myelopathy

Spinal fusion

A “weld” of sorts that holds bones (vertebrae) together. When done it is expected to be permanent like a weld of metal. The process can be enhanced by instruments like screws, rods, osteostimulators, and plates, and genetically created materials like BMP 2. Usually some of the patient’s bone is used and placed in the fusion area and it can be supplemented with lab processed bone. 

Vertebroplasty

A process to stabilize compression fractures by injecting the PMMA (bone cement) into the vertebra or spinal bone

Vertebra

A spinal bone. They come in various areas of the spine-- cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. They are the building blocks of the spine and between each is a disc.