00 Glossary
- radhikahillier
- Jul 9, 2024
- 4 min read
In this blog I have used a number of medical terms. I have added an explanation of them in this blog. I am not medically trained, so I have done my best to explain them using using various websites. I have attached links to these websites for your reference.
ACDF
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a type of neck surgery that involves removing a damaged disc to relieve spinal cord or nerve root pressure and alleviate corresponding pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling. A discectomy is a form of surgical decompression, so the procedure may also be called an anterior cervical decompression.
Bulging discs
Between each vertebrae is a gel-filled disc that acts as a shock absorber and helps the spine move. A damaged disc, may bulge, pushing backwards into the spinal canal. The disc usually bulges toward one side of the canal (either right or left), which is why people with a bulging disc are likely to have pain and tingling on just one side of the body.
A bulging disc in your neck may be relatively painless. Or it can cause severe pain in your neck, as well as your shoulders, chest, and arms. It may also cause numbness or weakness in your arms or fingers.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is pressure on a nerve in your wrist. It causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand and fingers.
Corpectomy
A cervical corpectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove one or more vertebrae (bones) in the cervical spine (neck).
ESSL
Eastgate School of Spiritual Life
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.
Fusion surgery
Spinal fusion is surgery to permanently connect two or more vertebrae in your spine, eliminating motion between them.
Lhermitte’s sign
Lhermitte's sign (pronounced Ler-meets) is a sudden sensation resembling an electric shock that passes down the back of your neck and into your spine and may then radiate out into your arms and legs. It is usually triggered by bending your head forward towards your chest.
It is also known as Lhermitte's syndrome or barber’s chair syndrome. It can be a symptom of multiple sclerosis but also occurs in other conditions.
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.
Myelopathy
Myelopathy is an injury to the spinal cord due to severe compression that may result from trauma, congenital stenosis, degenerative disease or disc herniation. The spinal cord is a group of nerves housed inside the spine that runs almost its entire length. When any portion of the spinal cord becomes compressed or constricted, the resulting symptoms are known as myelopathy.
Osteophytes
Osteophytes are bony lumps (bone spurs) that grow on the bones of the spine or around the joints.
Paraesthesia
Paresthesia refers to a burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, but can also occur in other parts of the body. The sensation, which happens without warning, is usually painless and described as tingling or numbness, skin crawling, or itching.
Peripheral nervous system
The peripheral nervous system is the network of nerves that lie outside the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).
It includes different types of nerves with their own specific functions, including:
sensory nerves – responsible for transmitting sensations, such as pain and touch
motor nerves – responsible for controlling muscles
autonomic nerves – responsible for regulating automatic functions of the body, such as blood pressure and bladder function
Peripheral Neuropathy
The main symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can include:
numbness and tingling in the feet or hands
burning, stabbing or shooting pain in affected areas
loss of balance and co-ordination
muscle weakness, especially in the feet
These symptoms are usually constant, but may come and go.
Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy describes a range of symptoms produced by the pinching of a nerve root in the spinal column. The pinched nerve can occur at different areas along the spine (cervical, thoracic or lumbar). Symptoms of radiculopathy vary by location but frequently include pain, weakness, numbness and tingling.
Spasms
Spasms are the involuntary movement of one or more muscles
Spasticity
Spasticity is a condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle, which might interfere with movement, speech, or be associated with discomfort or pain. Spasticity is usually caused by damage to nerve pathways within the brain or spinal cord that control muscle movement.
Spinal cord
A spinal cord injury — damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal (cauda equina) — often causes permanent changes in strength, sensation and other body functions below the site of the injury.
Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the lower back and the neck.
Some people with spinal stenosis may not have symptoms. Others may experience pain, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness. Symptoms can worsen over time.
Ulna nerve
The ulnar nerve branches off the brachial plexus nerve system and travels down the back and inside of the arm to the hand. The ulnar nerve transmits electrical signals to muscles in the forearm and hand. The ulnar nerve is also responsible for sensation in the fourth and fifth fingers (ring and little fingers) of the hand, part of the palm and the underside of the forearm.
Ulnar nerve entrapment can cause pain, numbness and tingling in the forearm and the fourth and fifth fingers. In severe cases, ulnar nerve entrapment can cause weakness in the hand and loss of muscle mass.
Vertigo
Vertigo is a symptom, rather than a condition itself. It's the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning.
This feeling may be barely noticeable, or it may be so severe that you find it difficult to keep your balance and do everyday tasks.
Comments