Degenerative Disc Module Updated

Question 1

Contains collagen fibers and proteoglycans

Answer 1

Nucleus pulposus

Question 2

What is the role of the annulus?

Answer 2

To contain the nucleus

Question 3

True or false: intervertebral discs are avascular

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Three major functions of disc

Answer 4

Spacer
Distribute Load
Accommodate movement

Question 5

Phases of degenerative cascade

Answer 5

Dysfunction
Instability
Stabilization

Question 6

Can result in general laxity in annulus

Answer 6

Bulging disc

Question 7

Nucleus begins to protrude through a year in annulus in one area

Answer 7

Herniated disc

Question 8

The type of herniation in which a portion of disc that has protruded through the annulus remains attached to remain material

Answer 8

Extruded disc herniation

Question 9

Protruding portion of disc detached from remainder of disc

Answer 9

Sequestration disc herniation

Question 10

Herniation towards midline putting pressure on spinal cord or cauda equina

Answer 10

Central herniation

Question 11

May experience localized numbness, weakness, and tingling

Answer 11

Far lateral herniation

Question 12

Generally affects spinal nerve

Answer 12

Far lateral herniation

Question 13

When a herniation affect both spinal cord and spinal nerve

Answer 13

Paracentral herniation

Question 14

Condition that develops when the ligaments and posterior elements hypertrophy, enlarge, and the vertebral foramen narrows

Answer 14

Spinal stenosis

Question 15

Numbness and tingling

Answer 15

Paresthesia

Question 16

What is spondylolysis

Answer 16

When the pars fractures completely

Question 17

What are radicular symptoms

Answer 17

Numbness, tingling, weakness, and/or paresthesia

Question 18

Radicular symptoms typically correspond to what?

Answer 18

A dermatome

Question 19

What do myelopathic symptoms typically indicate?

Answer 19

Impingement of spinal cord

Question 20

What are myelopathic symptoms?

Answer 20

Gait disturbances, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and or/generalized weakness

Question 21

What are some conservative treatment options available to patients prior to considering spinal surgery?

Answer 21

Rest, weight management, anti-inflammatory drugs, chiropractic care, physical therapy, pain management

Question 22

Success rate for treating severe lumbar radiculopathy with conservative therapy

Answer 22

50%

Question 23

Removal of bone or soft tissue putting pressure on neural elements

Answer 23

Decompression

Question 24

Physically removing the pieces of tissue that are exerting pressure onto a neural element

Answer 24

Direct decompression

Question 25

Increasing the amount of room for the neural structures by increasing or restoring the height of the disc space

Answer 25

Indirect decompression

Question 26

A procedure in which sections of the lamina and the facet are removed

Answer 26

Foraminotomy

Question 27

Removal of part of the lamina to relieve compression on a neural element or to gain access to other anatomical structures

Answer 27

Laminotomy

Question 28

A procedure that involves the removal of the herniated portion of a disc, performed through a small incision, usually with the assistance of a microscope to enhance visualization

Answer 28

Microdiscectomy

Question 29

A procedure in which the lamina is removed

Answer 29

Laminectomy

Question 30

A procedure that involves reshaping the lamina to increase the volume of the vertebral foramen and decompress the spinal cord without removing the protective function of the lamina

Answer 30

Laminoplasty

Question 31

Removal of the disc

Answer 31

Discectomy

Question 32

Inducing the body to grow a bridge of bone from one vertebra to another

Answer 32

Fusion

Question 33

Five basic steps of discectomy and fusion

Answer 33

Removal of disc
Placement of spacer in disc space
Graft Augmentation
Stabilization
Fusion