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Discogenic Pain

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:44 -0800

Definition

Discogenic pain is pain originating from a damaged vertebral disc, particularly due to degenerative disc disease. However, not all degenerated discs cause pain. Disc degeneration occurs naturally with age.

Once a fully degenerated disc no longer has any inflammatory proteins that can cause pain, the disc enters into a stable position. Hence, discogenic pain rarely occurs after 60 years of age.

Discogram

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:44 -0800

Definition

Discogram is a procedure used to determine the anatomical source of a patient’s low back pain. The discographer inserts a needle in the patient’s back into the center of the disc. Radiographic dye is then injected into the disc. If injecting the dye recreates the patient’s normal pain (concordant), it is then inferred that the specific disc is the source of pain for the patient.

This procedure is most frequently used to determine if degenerative disc disease is the cause of a patient’s pain (discogenic low back pain).

Discectomy

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:43 -0800

Definition

Discectomy is the surgical removal of part or all of a vertebral disc that has herniated. The disc is removed by first cutting the outer annulus fibrosis and removing the nucleus pulposus to relieve pressure on the nerve root.

A dissection is then performed to remove a ligament that runs from front to back in order to access the spinal canal and remove any bone spurs or disc material protruding through the ligament.

Disc Definition

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:42 -0800

Definition

A disc is the soft pad positioned in between each of the vertebrae of the spine. The vertebral disc acts as a spacer, shock absorber, and part of the cartilaginous joints that allow movement in the spine.

The disc can withstand compression and other stresses, while allowing a great deal of movement and flexibility. Intervertebral (meaning between the vertebrae) discs are composed of two parts: a tough outer portion (annulus fibrosus) and a softer inner core (nucleus pulposus).

Diagnostic Test or Diagnostic Study

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:42 -0800

Definition

A diagnostic procedure is an examination to identify an individual’s specific areas of weakness and strength in order determine a condition, disease or illness. For example, in order to diagnose a herniated disc, physicians may employ Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computer Assisted Tomography (CAT scan), and/or Electromyography (EMG) to determine if the herniated disc is impinging on a nerve root.

Synonyms and relevant terms

Depression

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:41 -0800

Definition

Clinical depression refers to a long-term mental state characterized by feelings of sadness, inadequacy and in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. Clinical depression is diagnosed when an individual experiences a depressed mood for more than two weeks and the depression begins to interfere with daily living.

Depression is caused by an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain and is most often treated with one or a combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy.

Dermatome

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:41 -0800

Definition

A dermatome is the area of sensory nerves near the skin that are supplied by a specific spinal nerve root.

The body can be divided into regions that are mainly supplied by a single spinal nerve.

Degenerative Disc Disease

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:40 -0800

Definition

Degenerative Disc Disease is a general term for the condition in which a damaged vertebral disc causes chronic pain – either low back pain (and/or leg pain, sciatica) in the lumbar spine or neck pain (and/or arm pain) in the cervical spine.

Damage to the disc occurs naturally or through a twisting injury where the inner and/or outer portions of the disc may tear, exposing or irritating the nerves on the outer edge of the annulus.

Demineralized Bone

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:40 -0800

Definition

Demineralized bone is bone that has had the calcium removed and is used to make bone tissue more conducive to spinal fusion. Bone morphogenic proteins from demineralized bone are added to a polymer or glycerol substrate to form a product that enhances bone growth.

The product lacks enough osteoinductive property that it cannot be used on its own. Instead, demineralized bone is added to enhance a bone graft increasing the rate of fusion.

Decompression Surgery

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:39 -0800

Definition

Decompression is most commonly used to refer to a surgical procedure to alleviate pain caused by a pinched nerve (neural impingement, compressed nerve) in the spine. A pinched nerve can be caused by conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated disc and spondylolisthesis.

Degenerative Arthritis

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:39 -0800

Definition

Degenerative arthritis is a condition that involves the chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints leading to painful joint inflammation. In the spine, facet joint osteoarthritis, sometimes called degenerative arthritis or spinal arthritis, causes a breakdown of cartilage between the facet joints in the back of the spine.

When the joints articulate, the lack of cartilage causes pain as well as limits on motion. The condition is more common in adults over the age of 60.

Degeneration

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:39 -0800

Definition

Degeneration refers to the process by which tissue deteriorates and loses its functional ability due to traumatic injury, aging and wear and tear.

While degeneration affects all tissues of the body, the natural degenerative process can particularly affect the vertebral discs and joints of the spine, resulting in chronic back pain.

Synonyms and relevant terms

Degenerative Disc Disease
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