Glossary

abrasion
Special endoscopic treatment - freshening up the bony endplate of a painful intervertebral disc

annulus fibrosis
The annulus fibrosus is the outer fibrous ring of the disc that wraps around the nucleus pulposus, the inner gelatinous core of the disc

disc surgery
also called intervertebral disc surgery. This means the removal of the leaked core material (nucleus) which presses on the nerves and thus causes leg pain or back pain

herniated disc
In the case of a herniated disc, the outer fibrous ring (anulus fibrosus) tears, so that the gelatinous core (nucleus pulposus) emerges from the disc.

intervertebral disc prosthesis
A disc prosthesis is an artificial replacement for a diseased disc. Usually consisting of two metal components (titanium) and a polyethylene core. It stabilizes the spine and maintains its flexibility.

disc protrusion
In the case of an intervertebral disc protrusion, the outer fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc (anulus fibrosus) bulges outwards, but does not tear as in the case of an intervertebral disc prolapse/herniation.

motion segment
consists of two vertebral bodies and an intervertebral disc in between (movement segment) see also segment

Black Disk
The so-called black disc is an intervertebral disc that appears black on an MRI image (T2) due to a large loss of fluid and can cause back pain. A black disc is normal in the course of life.

ESR
Blood lowering speed . Is a sensitive inflammatory parameter. Is detected in the blood, eg when an infection is suspected

cage
The cage is a stable implant. Nowadays, these implants are made of metal (titanium), PEEK and very rarely only of carbon. It acts as an intervertebral disc replacement and serves to maintain the natural intervertebral disc height and stabilize the spine. After implantation, it grows together with the adjacent vertebral bodies and thus forms a block vertebra

cervical
concerning the cervical spine

surgery
Craftsmanship, artisanship

CRP
C-reactive protein, it is a sensitive parameter of inflammation. Is detected in the blood, eg when an infection is suspected

CT
Good for showing bony changes, eg spinal canal stenosis. Computed tomography is a digital X-ray-based procedure that allows the creation of sectional images and their composition as 3D images of the human anatomy. The computer tomograph is also referred to as CT.

decompression
Reducing pressure or tightness. Decompression is a procedure used, among other things, to treat spinal stenosis. Tissue pressing on nerves and the spinal canal is surgically removed to eliminate pain and neurological symptoms.

deformity
A deformity is a major deviation in the shape of the body, in this case the body axis (lateral curvature) part of the body, from the usual appearance.

discography
During discography, a contrast medium is injected into an intervertebral disc under CT or X-ray control. In combination with a pressure test, it can be determined whether the intervertebral disc is pathologically changed and needs to be treated.

Endoscopic surgery
In endoscopic surgery, for example, a herniated disc is removed via a small skin incision through small cannulas with fine instruments. A very efficient and gentle procedure is used in the apex spine CENTER, which removes the prolapse via a lateral access.

epidural
Anatomical space between spine and dura (nerve root tube)

Facet joint = Vertebral joint
Facet joints are articulated connections between adjacent vertebrae, i.e. the bony elements of the spine.

fixator
A fixator is a rod-screw construction that is attached to the spine to stabilize the spine.

foramen
A foramen is a hole between the vertebrae through which nerve roots exit.

glide vortex
displacement of vertebral bodies. They arise from spondylolisthesis and pseudospondylolisthesis.

idiopathic
A deformity or disease acquired without a known cause

Sciatica, sciatica
Sciatica is caused by irritation or damage to the sciatic nerve, the largest human nerve that runs from the lumbar spine down into the lower legs. The sciatic nerve causes pain to radiate to one or both legs, and the lumboischialgia also causes back pain.

Magnetic resonance tomography, nuclear spin tomograph
see MRI

congenital
by birth, or congenital

kyphoplasty
In kyphoplasty, the vertebral body is drilled for stabilization, straightened with a balloon and filled with cement (see also vertebroplasty).

leukocytes
Are the white blood cells. Elevated in the event of an infection, for example.

ligamentum flavum
The ligamentum flavum is a band between the vertebral arches, which among other things helps to straighten the spine.

liquor
brain water. CSF is a cerebrospinal fluid that is primarily used to cushion the brain and spinal cord.

listhesis = olisthesis
see Sliding vertebrae, spondylolisthesis and pseudospondylolisthesis

lumbar
concerning the lumbar spine

magnetic resonance imaging
see MRI

Maxmore
Special endoscopic instruments to safely reach every area and herniated disc in the area of the thoracic and lumbar spine in a minimally invasive manner

microsurgery
Microsurgical interventions are carried out using a surgical microscope, which enables very precise work.

microtherapy
In microtherapy, minimally invasive interventions are carried out through tiny cannulas using medication and lasers, which are monitored with millimeter precision using CT or X-ray machines.

Minimally invasive
Procedures and interventions are minimally invasive if they cause only the smallest of injuries and thus injure and stress the body to a small extent.

MRI
Very good when it comes to displaying soft tissue, e.g. herniated disc going. With the help of magnetic resonance tomography, high-resolution cross-sectional images of the human anatomy can be created using magnetic fields and radio pulses, which are combined to form 3D images. Magnetic resonance tomography is also known as MRT.

myelography
During myelography, a contrast agent is injected into the cerebrospinal fluid sac in the spinal canal to examine the spinal canal and nerve pathways.

nucleus pulposus
The nucleus pulposus is the inner gelatinous core of the intervertebral disc, which is surrounded by the anulus fibrosus, the outer fibrous ring.

osteoporosis
Osteoporosis refers to the deterioration of bone substance and structure, which can often occur with age.

paresis
A paresis is a muscular weakness of a part or area of the body, eg leg or arm.

periradicular
Periradicular means “around the nerve root”.

percutaneously
Percutaneous means “through/through the skin”. In surgery, percutaneous means that interventions are carried out without incisions, eg through previously inserted cannulas (see endoscopy).

plegia
A paralysis of a part or area of the body.

Pseudo
fake, similar

pseudoradicular
does not mean that it follows the course of a nerve root (dermatome), but that it runs in a similar way

pseudospondylolisthesis
Pseudospondylolisthesis is the term used for slipping vertebrae (see gliding vertebrae), which occurs as a result of wear and tear (see also spondylolisthesis).

retrolisthesis
Retrolisthesis is a slight backward sliding of a vertebral body.

segment
consists of two vertebral bodies and an intervertebral disc in between (movement segment)

sequestration
Sequestrum refers to disc tissue that has leaked into the spinal canal.

spacers
The spacer is a metal implant used to treat spinal stenosis.

scoliosis
Lateral bending of the spine, usually with a rotational component

spinal canal
The spinal canal, also known as the vertebral canal, is the canal through which the spinal cord runs from the occiput of the head to the sacrum.

spinal fusion
Spinal fusion is a spinal fusion surgery that uses screws, plates, cages, and bone grafts to stabilize the spine.

spondylodiscitis
Spondyloliscitis is a bacterial infection that can affect intervertebral discs and adjacent vertebral bodies.

spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis refers to the sliding of a vertebral body forward. Mostly congenital.

stenosis
A stenosis is a narrowing of eg veins, arteries or the spinal canal.

TESSYS
Transforational Endoscopic Spine System

traumatology
Surgical - operative therapy of injuries and wounds (soft tissue and bones)

vertebroplasty
In vertebroplasty, the vertebral body is drilled for stabilization and the natural, spongy cavities are filled with cement (see also kyphoplasty).

whirl
A vertebra is the bony part of the spine, which includes the vertebral bodies, vertebral arches, transverse processes, spinous process, and articular processes.