Common Terms

These abbreviations and terms are commonly used in diagnosing and treating stenosis

Degenerative disc disease, not specifically a “disease” just disc height loss from fluid loss, which can sometimes lead to splits and possible tears in the outer covering of the disc

CSF- Cerebrospinal Fluid, the fluid. Clear liquid that helps cushion the spinal cord and brain. Even in certain compressions if the flow of CSF is not impeded then surgery may be avoided and other methods tried to relieve pressure. Severe headaches following epidural injections can be a result of CSF loss from the injection site. This can be remedied with a blood patch.

Thecal Sac- The outer membrane of the dura mater around the spinal cord and cauda equina (CE), holds the CSF and allows it to flow around the cord protecting and it and the CE from damage.

CES- Cauda Equina syndrome; what people who suffer constant sciatic pain might have. This is limited to the L and S spine regions. This is an injury to the nerves fanning out like a horses tail at the end of the spinal cord and not part of the spinal cord.

C,T,L,S spine- Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacrum....sections of the spine

SCI- spinal cord injury, when the actual spinal cord has suffered damage

Facet joints- facet joints hold the spinal bones together, enabling movement and support. When these become problematic they can become hypertrophic (enlarged) to help protect a degenerating spine

Formaina- bony projections protecting the nerve roots as they exit the spine (view spine anatomy on sonsa link below)

Facet injections-injections into those joints to ease swelling, pain, increase mobility…etc

TENS/EMS- Electrical muscle stimulation EMS to stimulate motor nerves in a passive exercise, TENS Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator stimulate sensory nerves. The goal of both is pain relief.

ACDF- Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion, removing discs and either fusing with donor bone or your own bone or a bio compatible substitute (often called a cage, the cage is filled with bone shavings taken from your vertebra during surgery). Fusion can be done with or without a plate. The approach is through the front of the neck (Anterior) May or may not be required to wear a collar post surgery.

PCF-Posterior Cervical Fusion, may include a laminectomy or foraminotomy, the bones are prepared and a graft is placed. The graft is held in place with rods and small screws. The approach is through the back of the neck (posterior)

Laminectomy- removal of the lamina to increase canal space or remove nerve impingement

Fusion- removing discs and fusing offending areas other than cervical

Corpectomy-removal and replacement of the entire vertebral body

Osteophytes/- bony projections not always an issue in and of themselves, they occur in normal healthy aging spines all over. They only become problematic when they encroach on nerves (foraminally), or intrude in central canal space

PLIF-Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion includes the removal of lamina, disc or and replacement with bone graft to maintain proper spinal space, usually with hardware to hold graft in place. The incision is made in the lumbar spine on the back.

TLIF- Transforaminal Lumbar interbody Fusion removal of the facet to access the disc and remove it. The space is held with either a bone graft or spacer.

ALIF- Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion, same as the PLIF but using an abdominal (anterior) approach for disc removal, graft placement and hardware. This is often done in conjunction with a PLIF