C

Calcitonin

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:27 -0800

Definition

Calcitonin is a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that lowers the levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood.

Calcitonin (CT) primarily metabolizes blood calcium by decreasing calcium absorption by the intestines, increasing calcium storage in bones and increasing calcium excretion through the kidney.

Cancellous Bone

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:27 -0800

Definition

Cancellous bone is the meshwork of spongy tissue (trabeculae) of mature adult bone typically found at the core of vertebral bones in the spine and the ends of the long bones (such as the femur or thigh bone).

The structure of the cancellous bone can be likened to a honeycomb that consists of interconnecting spaces containing the bone marrow.

Cartilage

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:27 -0800

Definition

Cartilage is the connective tissue that surrounds the ends of bones to allow for smooth joint articulation (movement).

Cartilage is made up of strands of collagen and proteoglycans, and it mostly contains water. The dense, elastic tissue supports and cushions the joints.

The tissue cells are embedded in a compact matrix of cavities (lacunae) enabling the cartilage to bear pressure and tension. Wear and tear on cartilage can cause it to degenerate. This degeneration is often referred to as osteoarthritis.

CAT Scan Computer assisted tomography

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:26 -0800

Definition

A CAT scan is a diagnostic test that enables the spinal canal to be imaged and assessed for specific conditions. The scan works by shooting an x-ray beam at 160 points throughout the body and crystals opposite the beam pick up and record the absorption rates of the varying thicknesses of tissue and bone.

Cauda equina

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:28 -0800

Definition

The cauda equina is a descriptive Latin term referring to the bundle of nerve roots from the lumbar and sacral levels that branch off the bottom of the spinal cord like a "horse’s tail”.

The spinal cord doesn’t actually run down the entire length of the spine; instead, it runs from the top of the neck down through the top of the lumbar spine (L1).

Cerebrospinal fluid

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:28 -0800

Definition

Cerebrospinal fluid is the clear, nutrient-rich fluid that circulates through the subarachnoid space, the brain and spinal cord. The fluid, referred to as CSF, is produced in the ventricles of the brain and fills the brain cavities as well as the spinal canal where the fluid bathes the nerves. CSF provides the brain and spinal cord with chemical nutrients, removes cellular waste and functions as a cushion to prevent injury.

Cervical myelopathy

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:28 -0800

Definition

Cervical myelopathy refers to compression on the cervical spinal cord from either a disc herniation or spinal stenosis.

Generally, it is more common in the elderly population and is a slow process. Symptoms include incoordination in the hands, a heavy feeling in the legs, or numbness and tingling in the legs. It is generally a slowly progressive condition. It is usually not painful as compression of the spinal cord does not cause pain.

Cervical spine

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:29 -0800

Definition

The cervical spine, also known as the neck, is comprised of seven vertebral bodies (C1-C7) that make up the upper most part of the spine. These vertebrae connect the spine to the skull.

Related information

Cervical Vertebrae

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:29 -0800

Definition

The cervical vertebrae are the seven cylindrical bones, or vertebral bodies (C1-C7), that provide support and structure for the cervical spine.

The vertebral body is the large portion of the bone that lies anterior (in front of) the spinal cord. The vertebrae get smaller as they near the base of the skull and only the top two segments allow for rotation in the neck.

The top cervical segment, called the atlas, is a ring that does not have a vertebral body.

Chemonucleolysis

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:30 -0800

Definition

Chemonucleolysis is a non-surgical treatment for a bulging disc that involves the injection of an enzyme into the vertebral disc with the goal of dissolving the inner part of the disc, the nucleus pulposus.

The procedure uses chymopapain, an enzyme from the papaya fruit, to dissolve the displaced disc material that is putting pressure on the spinal nerve.

The theory is that if chemonucleolysis can successfully alleviate back pain from a bulging disc, it could prevent the need for invasive surgery such as a spinal fusion.

Chiropractor

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:30 -0800

Definition

A chiropractor usually focuses on diagnosing and treating back and neck pain and is considered by many to be a type of primary care physician as he or she is often the first doctor a patient will visit when experiencing back pain.

A chiropractor, also known as a doctor of chiropractic or a chiropractic physician, diagnoses and treats patients whose health problems are associated with the body's muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems, especially the spine.

Chronic Pain

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:30 -0800

Definition

Chronic pain is any pain that lasts for more than three months. The pain can become progressively worse and reoccur intermittently, outlasting the usual healing process.

After injured tissue heals, pain is expected to stop once the underlying cause is treated, according to conventional ideas of pain. However, chronic pain can persist after injuries heal for no apparent biological cause.

Clinical Trial

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:31 -0800

Definition

A clinical trial is a scientific research study that is typically designed to test the safety and effectiveness of a new drug, device or treatment on humans. A clinical trial is conducted with voluntary patients who qualify according to set inclusion/exclusion criteria which are usually based on age, gender, type or stage of disease, treatment history and other medical conditions.

Cobalt Chrome

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:31 -0800

Definition

Cobalt-Chrome is the mixture of metals forming cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy used in many surgical implants.

The metal has been a preferred material for implant surgeries, particularly total hip replacement, because it is tolerated well by the body. In the spine, cobalt chrome is used with some artificial disc replacement devices but otherwise has had limited usefulness.

It is not very MRI compatible, and imaging the spinal canal postoperatively can be problematic.

Coccydynia

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:32 -0800

Definition

Coccydynia refers to pain originating from the coccyx, or tailbone pain. Falling, hitting the tailbone, or events such as childbirth can lead to coccydynia.

In most cases, the pain is thought to be caused by an unstable coccyx, which results in chronic inflammation of the sacro-coccygeal joint. Women are much more likely to experience coccydynia, since they have a wider pelvis, making the coccyx more exposed.

Coccyx

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:32 -0800

Definition

The coccyx is the very bottom portion of the spine. It represents a vestigial tail (hence the common term "tailbone") and consists of four or more very small bones that are fused together.

The coccyx articulates with the sacrum above it through a vestigial disc, and is also connected to the sacrum with ligaments.

Related information

Cognitive Restructuring

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:32 -0800

Definition

Cognitive restructuring is a psychotherapeutic technique that emphasizes restructuring thought processes into less stressful terms.

Individuals learn how to recognize maladaptive beliefs in stress-producing situations and then modify their unhealthy thought patterns in an effort to reduce stress and physical ailments related to it.

Collagen

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:33 -0800

Definition

Collagen is a fibrous protein that is the primary constituent of connective tissue. The substance acts as a glue holding tissues together and forming an essential part of bone, tendons, ligaments and cartilage.

Collagen is inelastic but has considerable tensile strength in its ability to resist forces of stretching. Collagen is also responsible for skin elasticity and its degradation leads to wrinkles that come with age.

Comminuted Fracture

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:33 -0800

Definition

A comminuted fracture is a break or splinter of the bone into more than two fragments. Since considerable force and energy is required to fragment bone, fractures of this degree occur after high-impact trauma such as in vehicular accidents.

External fixation devices such as splints and casts are usually inadequate in treating this type of fracture. Repairing a comminuted fracture often requires open surgery to restructure the bone to normal anatomy.

Complementary Medicine

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:34 -0800

Definition

See Alternative Medicine

Related information

Compressed Nerve

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:34 -0800

Definition

A compressed nerve results when the nerve roots in the spinal cord are irritated or pinched. Sciatica is the lay term usually used to describe the pain caused by compression of the spinal nerves, and radiculopathy and radicular pain are the terms usually used by clinicians.

Compression Fracture

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:35 -0800

Definition

A compression fracture occurs when the bone collapses, particularly in short bones such as the vertebrae in the spine. Vertebral compression fractures result when the bone tissue of the vertebral body collapses.

The condition is most often caused by osteoporosis and may be caused by trauma to the back, such as a fall or vehicular accident. A compression fracture may cause no symptoms at all, but most typically causes pain in the area of the fracture (e.g. the upper back).

Compressive Pain

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:35 -0800

Definition

See Compressed Nerve

Congenital Disorder

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:36 -0800

Definition

A congenital disorder is a medical condition that is present at or before birth. These conditions, also referred to as birth defects, can be acquired during the fetal stage of development or from the genetic make up of the parents.

Congenital disorders are not necessarily hereditary, since they may be caused by infections during pregnancy or injury to the fetus at birth.

If the lamina (bony arch) to the spine does not fully develop, this is known as spina bifida and is the most common congenital disorder.

Conservative Treatment

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:36 -0800

Definition

Conservative management is an approach to treating back pain, neck pain and related spinal conditions utilizing non-surgical treatment options, such as physical therapy, medication and injections.

In the context of treating back pain, “conservative” treatment is not the inverse of aggressive treatment. Most episodes of back pain can be treated through conservative care and a combination of several conservative treatments is often recommended to alleviate pain and rehabilitate the lower back.

Cordotomy

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:36 -0800

Definition

A cordotomy is a surgical procedure that is used to relieve pain by cutting the nerves of the spinal cord. Cutting selected nerves disables pain-conducting tracts in the spinal cord, effectively blocking pain sensation as well as temperature perception.

The procedure is typically performed on patients with severe pain from cancer and other non-curable diseases.

Corpectomy

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:37 -0800

Definition

A corpectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a vertebral body, usually to decompress the spinal cord.

In this surgery, the vertebral bodies and adjacent vertebral discs are removed in order to alleviate the pressure on the spinal cord, which is causing spinal stenosis and cervical myelopathy.

Cortical Bone

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:37 -0800

Definition

Cortical bone is the dense outer surface of bone that forms a protective layer around the internal cavity.

This type of bone also known as compact bone makes up nearly 80% of skeletal mass and is imperative to body structure and weight bearing because of its high resistance to bending and torsion.

COX-2 Inhibitor

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:26 -0800

Definition

COX-2 inhibitor refers to a relatively new class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) that targets the COX-2 enzyme specifically. These COX-2 inhibitors work by limiting the formation of inflammation, which is a common component of many forms of back pain and types of chronic pain.

Craniosacral Therapy

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:37 -0800

Definition

Craniosacral therapy is a pain management technique focusing on the manipulation of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain.

The technique combines alternative healing practices with traditional cranial osteopathy by applying massage to the head and spine with the goal of unblocking points of tension.