Cauda Equina

The "horses tail" and used to describe the nerve fibres at
the end of the spinal cord, below the level of the second
lumbar vertebra (L2).

Cerebrospinal Fluid

The clear fluid that bathes the brain and the spinal
chord. It is removed for testing through a lumbar
puncture. It is into this fluid that the radio-opaque fluid for a myelogram is injected.

Cervical

This term describes the neck which is made up of- 7 vertebrae.

Chemonucleolysis

A procedure whereby an enzyme derived from the
papaya fruit is injected into the inter vertebral disc to shrink it and try and alleviate pain caused from a
bulging disc.

Coccyx

The last bone of the spine that is made up of 4 tiny
fused vertebrae.

Coccygodynia

Pain in the coccyx region. It can occur following a fall or other trauma. It can also be secondary to low back pain. Muscle spasm can occur in the piriforms, levator and coccygeus muscle.

Computerised
Tomography (CT) Scan

An investigation that is performed as an outpatient in the scanning unit. It is a painless procedure taking an average of 20 minutes.

Cross-sectional images are produced from information received through beams and x-rays going through the body.

Congenital

Being present at birth.

Conservative Management

Any non surgical treatment of pain eg. Physical
therapies, painkillers, traction, exercise, massage.

Cortex

Solid bone - usually the rim of a bone.

Cysticmyelopathy

A spinal cyst.

Cystoplasty

An operation to enlarge the bladder by incorporating a
section of the bawl into it.

Cystoscopy-Cystogram

A visual examination of the bladder with a tiny
instrument inserted through the urethra.

Decubitus Ulcer

Pressure sore.

Degeneration

The process of change, usually with age, in bone or soft
tissue. Otherwise referred to as "wear and tear" .

Degenerative Disc Disease

The discs undergo a process of change from a supple,
flexible structure that allows movement and acts as a
cushion, to a stiff and rigid one that restricts the amount
of movement and is a less effective cushion. This
process can start as early as the 2Oth-3Oth year of life and by the 6Oth year it would be a universal finding on x-ray examination.

Dermatone

An area of skin that is known to be served by a specific
spinal nerve.

Disc

One of the 23 shock-absorbing pads that act as spacers of the vertebrae. Sometimes referred to as
intervertebral discs. See Annulas Fibrosis, Nucleus
Pulposus and Vertebral Enplate.

Discectomy

The surgical removal of part of the disc that has
prolapsed, bulged or ruptured causing pressure on spinal
nerves. This operation can be done by an open method,
microsurgical and minimally invasive through an
endoscope.

Discography

An investigation that is done as an aid to a surgeon prior to surgery. A contrast medium is injected into the disc nucleus and a series of x-rays taken that will show up the structure of a disc on the discogram. An individual's pain reaction can also help determine which disc is causing the pain.

Dorsal

A tough membrane on the outside of the araelmoid
extending from the top to the bottom of the spine
particularly sensitive on the anterior aspect.

DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

Blood clot in a vein.

Dysesthesias

Painful sensations experienced below the level of lesion
following spinal cord injury. Often described as
burning numbness, pins and needles or tingling.