Spine Surgery Glossary

Inadvertent perforation of the dura mater during spinal surgery, requiring immediate repair.

A dynamic posterior stabilization system using flexible rods and spacers to provide motion preservation while offering s...

A surgical technique that removes a spinal tumor and surrounding tissue as one intact piece to achieve wide margins.

Surgical technique of removing cartilaginous endplate while preserving subchondral bone to optimize fusion in interbody...

Increased bone density and hardening of vertebral endplates seen on imaging studies.

Excessive scar tissue formation in the epidural space following spinal surgery, potentially causing persistent symptoms.

Degenerative joint disease affecting the facet joints of the spine.

Surgical division or incision of the joint capsule surrounding facet joints to achieve spinal decompression or facilitat...

Minimally invasive procedure using radiofrequency energy to ablate sensory nerves supplying facet joints for pain relief...

Asymmetric orientation of facet joints between left and right sides at the same spinal level, potentially contributing t...

Inadvertent penetration or damage to facet joint capsule during spinal surgery.

Surgical stabilization technique using wire loops around facet joints for fusion.

Surgical removal of facet joints to decompress neural structures and access the spinal canal.

Persistent or recurrent symptoms following spine surgery, representing unsuccessful surgical outcomes.

Surgical enlargement of the neural foramen to decompress exiting nerve roots.

Percentage of patients achieving solid bony union following spinal fusion surgery.

Classification system measuring the degree of vertebral displacement in spondylolisthesis.

Complete anterior displacement of one vertebra over another, representing the most severe form of spondylolisthesis.

A historical spinal instrumentation system using distraction rods for scoliosis correction, largely superseded by modern...

Autologous bone harvested from the patient's iliac crest, considered the gold standard for spinal fusion procedures.

Metallic hardware system used to stabilize the spine during fusion procedures.

Structural implant placed in the disc space to maintain height and facilitate fusion.

Surgical goal of restoring normal disc space height through interbody cage placement.

Motion-preserving implant placed between adjacent spinous processes to limit extension while maintaining flexion.