Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Common Pain Terms    
 
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Acute and chronic pain - Acute pain is pain caused by an injury and usually lasts between 3-6 months, the usual time it takes for tissues to heal themselves.  Chronic pain is pain that continues to persist despite normal healing, for at least 6 months after an injury.

Botox - In the media lately for cosmetic reasons, this neurotoxic protein can be used in small doses to treat painful muscle spasms.

Bursa - Fluid filled sac that cushions between bones and ligaments or tendons.

Celiac plexus - Nerve supply to pancreas, intestines, gall bladder, spleen and portions of the stomach and liver.

Corticosteroid - A type of anti-inflammatory.

Coccydinia - A condition in which the patient has pain in and around the tailbone, most commonly present when the patient sits and most intense when the patient goes from sitting to standing.

Disc - Discs fit between the bones of the spine and protect the spine from forces caused by bending, twisting, turning, sitting and standing, and allow motion in the spine.

Disc herniation - Bulging of the disc resulting from a weakening of the outer ring of the disc.  The bulging disc pushed on nerves, causing pain in the back or neck that can radiate down the legs or arms.

Discogenic pain - Pain caused by a tear in the disc.  Usually a dull, aching pain when the patient sits or stands.

Discogram - A diagnostic test done to view and assess the internal structure of the disc(s) and to determine which disc is a source of pain.

Epidural space - Space around the spinal cord; the outermost part of the spinal canal.

Facet joints - Joints of the backbone that allow the neck to twist and rotate and the chest area to bend back and forward.  They also support the back and weight of the body and create limiting range in the back for lateral twisting.  There are four facet joints per back bone.

Fluoroscopy - X-Ray

Intercostal nerve - Nerve that supplies sensation to the skin of the chest wall.

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Local anesthesia - Numbs a specific part of the body without affecting consciousness so patients can undergo procedure with reduced pain.

Lumbar region - There are 5 regions of the spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccyx (tailbone), the tailbone is at the bottom and the cervical at the top.  The lumbar region of the spine lies between the thoracic and sacral, in the lower back.

Musculoskeletal pain - Pain that affects bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and bursae, which can be caused by trauma, disease, or over use.  Common symptoms include pain, fatigue and decreased range of motion.

Myofascial pain - Chronic muscle pain.  This type of pain affects the connective tissue that covers the muscles and is often caused by trigger point pain.

Occipital nerve - Nerves carrying pain signals that run from the upper part of the neck to the back of the scalp.

Percutaneous Discectomy - A procedure that reduces pressure on bulging discs by removing some of the disc material without a surgical incision.

Post herpatic neuralgia - This type of pain is a complication of shingles, and affects the nerve fibers and skin.  Often appears as a rash and/or blister when it reaches the skin.

Radiculitis - Pain radiated along a nerve due to inflammation of the nerve root.

Radiculopathy - Damage caused by compressed nerve roots near the cervical vertebrae.  Can cause pain and loss of sensation in the upper extremities and cause difficulty in muscle control.

Sacroiliac joint - Joint of the pelvis located in the buttock region. Also called the SI joint.

Shingles - A viral infection causing a painful rash that often wraps from the back to the chest region.  Shingles is caused by the same virus as chicken pox.

Spinal cord stimulator - An electrical device used to cover up pain.

Stellate ganglion - A group of nerves in the neck that are responsible for a variety of autonomic functions, including temperature, circulation, sweating, etc.  Are sometimes involved in nerve pain disorders.

Thoracic region - There are 5 regions of the spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccyx (tailbone), the tailbone is at the bottom and the cervical is at the top.  The thoracic region of the spine lies between the cervical and lumbar, in the middle region of the back.

Trigger point - An area of muscle tissue that is irritable and can be a source of pain.

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