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LlLamina: The posterior part of a vertebra which forms the roof of the spinal canal. Laminectomy: A surgical technique in which the lamina and spinous process are removed to lessen the pressue on the spinal canal or the spinal nerves exiting an intervertebral foramen. Lasegue Test: A test of the low back used by spinal care health providers in which the hips are passively flexed with the knee in full extension. A positive test produces low back or sciatic pain prior to reaching 90 degrees of hip flexion and no pain when the hip is flexed with the knee bent. Synonymous with straight leg raise test. This test helps to distinguish low back disorders from disease of the hip joint. Lateral: X-rays views taken from the side. Also, the body or anatomical part from the side. Lateral Bending: Side to side bending. Lateral Flexion: Bending to one side. Lawsuit: A claim or cause of action instituted or pending between private persons or entities in a court of law. In order to properly commence a lawsuit, a complaint must be filed with the court and the defendant must be served or given a copy of the summons and complaint. Lay Witness: A person, with knowledge based on his/her first-hand observations, whose testimony is helpful to determine the facts at issue. Liability lay witnesses testify regarding the facts of the accident. Lay damage witnesses testify regarding the plaintiff’s injuries and the effects of those injuries on the plaintiff’s lifestyle. LBP: Abbreviation for Low Back Pain. Leading Question: A question which suggests an answer with which the witness is asked to agree. Form of questioning used during cross-examination and generally not permitted during direct examination. Leg Length Discrepancy: A difference in length between the lower extremities that, if anatomical, will usually result in lateral deviations of the sacral base, and can be a cause of low back pain. Many chiropractors and manual practitioners use leg length compared side to side to assess subluxation dysfunction and determine the effectiveness of their treatments. Lhermitte’s Sign: A physical finding in cervical myelopathy. The patient is usually seated with the head and neck in neutral position. The head and cervical spine are then flexed forward toward the patient’s chest. A positive test is reproductionof sharp, electric, radiating pain or paresthesia along the spine and into one or both arms/hands; seen mainly in multiple sclerosis but also in other disorders of the cervical cord. Lability: State of having notable shifts in emotional state (e.g., uncontrolled laughing or crying). Liability: Responsibility or fault for an incident resulting in injuries and damages to person and/or property. Lien: An encumbrance on property to secure payment of a debt. A health care provider has a right to place a lien on a claim to guarantee that his/her bills will be paid when the case concludes. Life Care Plan: A plan that looks at how a person will pay for medical and non-medical needs and goals in the future. The plan includes personal choices about where the person wants to live in the future, what healthcare he or she is willing to accept, and who the person wants to provide needed healthcare and other supports. Ligament: The strong tissue connecting the articular ends of bones which serves to bind the joint together and permits or limits motion. Ligamentous Laxity: An over-stretching or a lessening of tension of ligaments from chronic over-pressure or traumatic injury. In the spine, this may be a result of degenerative joint disease or acute trauma. It can be the cause of excess motion at vertebral segments, i.e., segmental instability. Ligamentum Flavum: Literally, yellow ligament. A ligament, which attaches on the laminae (the backside surface of the spinal canal) of the vertebrae. LMP: Abbreviation for Licensed Massage Practitioner. See Massage Therapy. Lipping: An overgrowth of bone in response to injury or chronic degenerative processes. See Osteophyte. Liquidated Damages: The amount of money agreed upon by the parties to a contract that must be paid by one or the other in the event that contract is breached. Litigation: The process of filing a lawsuit and then prosecuting it or defending against it. Discovery will begin after a lawsuit is filed. Locked-In Syndrome: A condition resulting from interruption of motor pathways in the ventral pons, usually by infarction. This disconnection of the motor cells in the spinal cord from controlling signals issued by the brain leaves the person completely paralyzed and mute, but able to receive and understand sensory stimuli; communication may be possible by code using blinking, or movements of the jaw or eyes, all of which are spared. Long Term Care: A range of health and personal assistance services provided either at home, in the community, or in skilled nursing facilities for individuals with long term disabilities. Lordosis: The spinal curve of the low back and neck. The term is used to refer abnormally increased curvature (hyperlordosis) or to the normal curvature (normal lordosis) Low-Velocity Thrust: A type of chiropracticadjustment in which a slow manipulation or mobilization is applied to a joint. LPN: Abbreviation for Licensed Practical Nurse. Lumbar: Relating to the low back. The lumbar spine has five vertebrae stacked on top of the sacrum (L1 - L5). Lumbar Lordosis: The normal curvature of the spine in the low back area. Lumbar Plexus: A grouping of nerves formed by the ventral branches of the second to fifth lumbar nerves. Lumbar Radiculopathy:Lumbarspinal nerve or sacralspinal nerve impingement caused by a herniated disc, resulting in pain and possibly numbness and tingling and/or weakness sensation into one or both legs. Lumbar Sprain: An acute injury to the ligaments of the low back. Lumbar Strain: An acute injury to the musculature and tendons of the low back. Lumbosacral Joint: The area of attachment where the last lumbarvertebra (L5) meets the sacrum (S1). Lumbosacral Sprain: An acute injury to the ligaments of the lumbar and sacral spine. It may be associated with an injury to muscles and tendons. Lumbosacral Strain: An acute or chronic injury to the muscles and tendons of the lumbar and sacral spine. |
