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Spinal Glossary: M

  • MD: Medical Doctor.
  • methylprednisolone: A drug (steroid) that reduces inflammation of the joints or commonly used to mitigate the damage of a spinal cord injury.
  • microdiscectomy: A surgical procedure performed with an endoscope, used to remove herniated disc material.
  • minimally invasive surgery (MIS): Surgery done through multiple small incisions rather than a large, open procedure.
  • M & M: Morbidity and mortality.
  • MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging. A diagnostic imaging test. MRI clearly images soft tissues such as the intervertebral disc and neural structures, as well as bones. A very sensitive and specific spinal imaging test.
  • myelitis: Spinal cord inflammation.
  • myelopathy: Spinal cord disorder which commonly causes weakness in the lower extremities and spasticity in the upper extremities. This may be the consequence of spinal stenosis, particularly in the cervical spine, or an injury to the spinal cord.
  • muscular back pain: Dull, sharp, acute or chronic pain in the muscles of the back. Pain can be caused by injury or a spinal condition such as a herniated disc.
  • microdecompression: The surgical excision of a small amount of bone or disc material to alleviate nerve compression in the spinal column
  • muscles of the spine: The muscles in the back and neck are tasked with taking pressure off the spinal cord, protecting the spinal column, and supporting the back and neck.
  • McKenzie method: A world-renowned philosophy based on active patient involvement during the treatment and prevention of back, neck, and extremity pain.
  • muscle spasms: The involuntary contraction of a muscle, which often results in sharp, temporary pain.
  • muscle cramping: Often known as muscle spasms, cramping refers to the spontaneous and involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscle group leading to acute pain.
  • mechanical pain: Acute pain that may result from excessive or abnormal pressure or strain being placed on the muscles and other supporting structures of the spinal canal.

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