Glossary
Anterior Fusion: Fusion performed on the front of the spine, usually by replacing intervertebral discs with bone chips.
Bone Age: An X-ray of the left hand and wrist is compared to the average appearance of the bones at different ages. An estimate of remaining growth is obtained.
Bone Bank Bone: Bone graft obtained from donors.
Bone Graft: Pieces of bone used to create a fusion, obtained from the patient's iliac crest, rib, or from the bone bank.
Boston Brace: A type of spinal orthosis (brace) developed at the Children's Hospital, Boston. The Boston Brace System starts with prefabricated, symmetric spinal orthotic modules of different sizes. Individual braces are customized to fit a particular patient's body shape and spinal curvature. The brace or orthosis is designed according to a 'brace blueprint' drawn from the spinal X-ray. The Boston Bracing System is commonly used throughout the United States and Europe.
Brace: A semi-rigid plastic (and sometimes metal and leather) device which pushes on the muscles and ribs adjacent to the spinal column. The brace (also called an orthosis) is designed to lessen the abnormal spinal curvature while worn.
C-D Rods: Drs. Cotrel and Dubousset designed this popular form of spinal instrumentation, which was the first type of rod system to use multiple hooks on one rod which could be turned in either direction. C-D, TSRH, and other similar systems are popular because they offer more strength of fixation, more points of attachment to the spine and can help preserve or restore normal spinal contours of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis.
Disc: The intervertebral disc is a strong, rubbery and gelatin - like structure which normally separates the individual vertebral bodies and allows movement between them. Discs are usually removed from the portion of the spine undergoing anterior fusion and replaced with bone chips to create a fusion.
Fusion: A continuous mass of bone which solidifies and immobilizes the desired part of the spine. A fusion is created by adding bone graft to the surfaces of vertebra and then immobilizing that part of the spine with instrumentation or with a cast. A solid fusion cannot bend or curve more as time passes.
Harrington Rod: Designed by Dr. Harrington, the Harrington rod was the first modern means of spinal instrumentation which reliably produced correction and immobilization.
Hook: A hook is that portion of the spinal instrumentation which grasps the vertebra.
Incision: The cut made through the skin for the purposes of operation.
Instrumentation: The metal rods, hooks, screws, etc. which are attached to the spine to change spinal shape and immobilize the spine while fusion occurs.
ISIS, Quantec, or Ortelius: A computerized system used to document the three-dimensional contour of the spine using light beams and a scanning device.
Inclinometer or Scoliometer: A simple device using a level to measure the 'rib hump'. Useful for detecting and screening for scoliosis.
Kyphosis: Curvature of the spine with the convexity pointing toward the back. It is normal to have some kyphosis in the thoracic (chest area) spinal column. Sometimes there is too much kyphosis in the thoracic spine, called "hyperkyphosis," Scheurmann's kyphosis, or "round back." When there is not enough kyphosis in the thoracic spine (as is usually the case with idiopathic scoliosis), it is called thoracic hypokyphosis.
Lenke Classification: A commonly used descriptive classification for scoliosis patients.
Lordosis: Curvature of the spine with the convexity toward the front. It is normal to have lordosis in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (waist area) portions of the spine.
Luqué Rods, Wires: Named for Dr. Luqué, these spinal rods use sublaminar wires (wires looped around the back part or each vertebra) for attachment. Luqué type instrumentation is commonly used in paralytic scoliosis such as that seen in cerebral palsy.
Milwaukee Brace: The Milwaukee Brace was the first modern spinal orthosis used for scoliosis, and in its modified form, is still used for Scheurmann's kyphosis and some spinal curves.
Moiré Photograph: Moiré photography uses light projected through a grid and then photographed to record the three-dimensional shape of the back.
Orthosis: A spinal brace.
Posterior Fusion: A fusion performed on the posterior or back surface of the spine.
Rib Rise: The prominence formed by ribs on the convexity of a curve, caused by rotation of the spine and attached ribs.
Risser Sign: The top of the pelvis bone matures in predictable stages referred to as Risser stages. These give some indication of growth remaining in the spine.
Scoliosis: Lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine greater than 15 degrees. (Fifteen degrees or less of sideways curvature in adults is probably normal and should probably not be called scoliosis.)
Skeletal Maturity: When the bones (and spine) are finished growing, skeletal maturity has been reached.
Spinal Column: The spinal column is composed of individual vertebral bones, ligaments, and discs. It surrounds the spinal cord.
Spinal Cord: The spinal cord travels through the spinal column and consists of nerves which carry and receive signals to and from the arms, legs, and many internal organs.
Sub-laminar Wires: See Luque' Instrumentation
TLSO (Thoraco-Lumbar-Sacral-Orthosis): A brace or spinal orthosis which does not extend above the shoulders.
TSRH Rods: Similar to C-D rods, named after the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.
Vertebra: Individual bones which comprise the spinal column.
Vertebral Body: The front portion of the individual vertebra.
