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SsSacroiliac Joint: Referring to the area where the sacrum and ilium bones form a joint. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint due to trauma or degenerative changes. Sacral: See Sacrum. Sacrum: The base of the bone support for the spine. It is made up of the S1 through S5 vertebrae, which fuse to form a triangular shaped bone. Scalene: Three anterior neck muscles which attach between the back of the first six cervical vertebrae and the first and second ribs. This muscle group allows for bending and rotating the neck. Scapula: The large, flat, triangular bone which forms the backside part of the shoulder. Also referred to the shoulder blade. Schmorl’s Node: A bone defect in the upper or lower margin of the body of the vertebra. It may be traumatic, developmental, or degenerative in nature. Sciatica: A description of pain and/or numbness associated with inflammation of the sciatic nerve, usually due to compression of the spinal nerve between fifth lumbar (L5) and first sacral vertebrae(S1). It is often the result of a herniatednucleus pulposus at the L4-5 or L5-S1 levels. Sciatic Nerve: The major nerve supplying motor and sensory functions to the legs. This is the largest peripheral nerve in the body. This nerve later divides to form the tibial and peroneal nerve. It arises from the L4, L5, and S1-S3 spinal nerves. It emerges from the lumbar spine and sacrum into the gluteal region through the sciatic notch. It is the largest diameter nerve in the body. Sciatic Notch: A notch between the sacrum and the ilium. The sciatic nerve travels through this region. Scoliosis: An abnormal lateral curvature and/or rotation of the spine. May be idiopathic, anatomic (as with a short leg) or functional (as with muscle spasm) in etiology. SCM: An abbreviation for Sternocleidomastoid Muscle. Secondary Gain: An external benefit which arises from an illness such as monetary gain or attention. See Malingerer. Section 504 of the Reahbilitation Act: Requires the state and federal government to make their programs and buildings accessible to people with disabilities. Governments must also make sure that people with disabilities have equal access to government jobs. For example, governments must provide devices or extra assistance to help people with disabilities do their jobs or apply for a job. Section 508 of the Reahbilitation Act: Requires all federal agencies and agencies getting federal funds to make websites, telephone services, videos, and other electronic information accessible to people with disabilities. Section 8 Housing Program(HCVP): A federal housing program that helps poor families, elderly people, and people with disabilities rent decent, low-cost housing. The program gives people and families a voucher that can be used to help pay rent for housing that the state has approved as safe and low-cost. For more information go to: Section 8 Made Simple at: www.tacinc. org or www.hud.gov. Segmental Dysfunction: Refers to vertebral segments which are not moving normally in relation to one another. Segmental Instability: Motion of a spinal motion segment which significantly exceeds normal range of motion for that segment so that further over-stretching of the supporting soft tissue may occur. Seizure: An uncontrolled discharge of nerve cells which may spread to other cells nearby or throughout the entire brain. It usually lasts only a few minutes. It may be associated with loss of consciousness, loss of bowel and bladder control and tremors. May also cause aggressive or other behavioral change. Selective Nerve Root Block: Injection of an anti-inflammatory and local anesthetic onto the sleeve surrounding a spinal nerve. This can be done for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes to determine if a spinal nerve is causing pain. Also known as a Spinal NerveBlock. Self-mobilization: Exercises by a patient to help move restricted joints. Sensation: Feeling stimuli which activate sensory organs of the body, such as touch, temperature, pressure or pain. Also seeing, hearing, smelling and tasting. Sensory Deficit: A decrease in one or more types of sensation noted on physical exam. Sensory Stimulation: Arousing the brain through any of the senses. SEP: A diagnostic technique called Somatosensory Evoked Potentials used to detect a sensory radiculopathy or significant myelopathy. Sequencing: Reading, listening, expressing thoughts, describing events or contracting muscles in an orderly and meaningful manner. Service of Process: Refers to the rules of law prescribing the manner, and upon whom, a summons and complaint giving a defendant notice of a lawsuit must be served. The person giving notice must be someone other than a party to the lawsuit, who is eighteen (18) years or older, and competent to be a witness. Settlement: A final resolution of a claim by agreement between the parties. Shiatsu: A style of acupressure/massage therapy that stimulates points along meridians and focuses on balancing “chi”. See acupressure and acupuncture. Shoe Lift: An orthotic to correct a short leg or an abnormal or less than ideal postural position of a lower extremity part. See Orthotic. Short Leg Syndrome: Pain symptoms arising from a difference in length between the lower extremities. Short leg syndrome may cause musculoskeletal-type symptoms which can be corrected with a shoe lift. Shunt: A procedure to draw off excessive fluid in the brain. A surgically placed tube running from the ventricles which deposits fluid into the abdominal cavity, heart or large veins of the neck. SI Dysfunction: A mechanical abnormality of the sacroiliac joint which alters normal movement. SI Joint: See Sacroiliac Joint. Skilled Nursing Care: Daily nursing and rehabilitative care that can be performed only by or under the supervision of skilled health care providers. Skin Rolling: A physical examination technique in which the thumb and fingers are used to grasp the paravertebral skin and roll this tissue from inferior to superior. The ease of displacement of both skin and subcutaneous tissue is evaluated, as are the thickness of the skin and pain symptoms. Also a manual treatment technique used to break up scar tissue.
Small Claims Court: Court of limited jurisdiction, available for resolution of disputes by the parties without attorneys. Original purpose was to “bring justice home to every man’s door.” Limited to claims not in excess of $2,500.00. Parties represent themselves at the hearing. Attorneys are restricted from participating. SOAP: An acronym for a standard record keeping method of patient visit: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. Social Security Disability Income (SSDI): A federal program for people who have worked for several years and who become severely disabled and unable to return to work for at least a year. In order to qualify, a person must have almost no resources or money saved. The program gives the person money every month to pay for food, clothing, and shelter. For more information go to: www.ssa.gov/disability Soft Cervical Collar: A soft neck collar made of foam rubber covered with fabric which provides support and limits movement of the neck. Soft Tissue: Muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, connective tissues and other non-bony structures of the musculoskeletal system. Somatosensory Evoked Potentials: An electrical test used to determine the integrity of the sensory pathways in the spinal cord. Also termed SSEP. Somatic Dysfunction: An osteopathic term meaning an alteration in the normal function of a joint. Soto Hall Test: A physical exam test in which the chin is brought to the chest, with the patient flat on their back. Pain will be felt at the site of the lesion in spine abnormalities. Classically used to screen for spinal meningitis and to clarify spinal related pain. Spasm: A painful involuntary, sustained contraction of a muscle, due to irritation. Spasticity: An involuntary increase in muscle tone (tension) that occurs following injury to the brain or spinal cord, causing the muscles to resist being moved. Characteristics may include increase in deep tendon reflexes, resistance to passive stretch, clasp knife phenomenon and clonus. Special Damages: Fixed costs or expenses attributable to any injury or loss, including past, present, and future income loss, treatment costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Spinal Cord: The extension of the central nervous system which extends from the brain stem to the cauda equina and is surrounded by the spinal canal. This acts as a conduit for information to and from the brain as it relates to the rest of the body. Spinal Fusion: A surgical procedure to form a bony bridge between two or more spinal vertebrae to eliminate movement over painful or unstable spinal segments. Spinal fusion can also occur at birth or as a result of the aging process. Spinal Instability: Abnormal or excessive motion in a vertebral segment with respect to the vertebrae above and/or below it. Spinal Motion Segment: A unit of the spine, including the two adjacent vertebrae, the intervertebral disc, the facet joints, all the interconnecting ligaments, two intervertebral foramen, and the nerves and vessels emerging there from the spinal canal. Spinal Nerve: One of 31 right and left paired peripheral nerves which connect with the spinal cord. Spinal Nerve Block: Injection of an anti-inflammatory and local anesthetic on to the sleeve surrounding a spinal nerve. This can be done for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes to determine if a spinal nerve is causing pain. Also known as Selective Nerve Root Block. Spinal Nerve Root: See Nerve Root. Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the central spinal canal that contains the spinal cord and/or cauda equina. This can be caused by congenital conditions, abnormal development or degenerative changes of the disc and/or facet joints or ligaments. Spinal Subluxation: A term used in chiropractic to describe the alteration of the normal dynamics between adjacent vertebrae, which may result in motion, muscular or neurological dysfunction. Spinous Process: A projection of bone which extends from the junction of the two laminae projecting off the back of the vertebra. Spondylitis: An inflammatory condition of the spine. Spondyloarthritis: An arthritic condition of the spine. It is related to spondylosis. Spondyloarthropathy: A form of inflammatory arthritis which typically involves the spine, especially the sacroiliac joints. Spondyloarthrosis: Arthrosis of the synovial joints of the spine.This usually refers to degenerative joint disease. Spondylolisthesis: Forward or backward displacement of one vertebra in the relation to the adjacent vertebra below. Depending on the amount of the displacement, spondylolisthesis may require surgical intervention to fuse the spine. Spondylolysis: A defect or fracture of the pars interarticularis, on one or both sides. This condition is often associated with spondylolisthesis. Spondylopathy: Any disease process or disorder of the vertebrae. Spontaneous Recovery: The recovery that occurs as damage to body tissue heals. This type of recovery occurs with or without rehabilitation and it is very difficult to know how much improvement is spontaneous and how much is due to rehabilitative interventions. However, when the recovery is guided by an experienced rehabilitation team, complications can be anticipated and minimized, the return of function can be channeled in useful directions and in progressive steps so that the eventual outcome is the best possible. Sprain: Trauma to the joint capsule or ligaments, causing pain and impairment of joint movement, depending upon the degree of severity of injury to the ligaments. Spray and Stretch: A manual technique for the treatment of trigger points and tender points within muscle. Spurling’s Sign: A physical examination procedure test in which the patient’s head is rotated sideways and extended backwards, while gentle compression is applied to the top of the head. The test is used to determine if neural foraminal narrowing is compressing the exiting spinal nerve. A positive test involves pain, numbness, or paresthesia extending into the arm below the elbow. Also called ForaminalCompression Test. SSEP: Somatosensory Evoked Potentials. This is a neurodiagnostic test to evaluate sensory nerves. Static Intersegmental Subluxation: A chiropractic describing term a malposition of vertebrae detected on static palpation testing. Statute: Written law enacted by the legislature. Statute of Limitations: Laws enacted by every state which govern the time frame when a lawsuit must be filed, and beyond which the claim can no longer be made. Statutes of limitation differ from state to state and according to the nature of the claim. In Washington, the limitation period applicable to most claims for personal injuries and damages caused by negligence, including motor vehicle accidents, is three years. Stenosis: In the spine, this can refer to a narrowing of the vertebral canal (central spinal stenosis), the bony foramen through which a spinal nerve passes (foraminal stenosis), or the lateral passage where a nerve descends to prepare to exit the spine (lateral recess or sub-articular stenosis). Step Defect: A spinal fracture noted at the front side of the vertebral body. Sternal Compression Test: A physical examination maneuver which attempts to identify rib fractures by applying front to back pressure over the sternum with inhaling. May also identify injury to the costal cartilage. Sternoclavicular Joint: The joint between the upper portion of the sternum and the clavicle. Sternocleidomastoid Muscle: An anterior neck muscle which attaches at the sternum and collarbone and then at the mastoid process of the skull. It is often injured in whiplash injuries. Sternum: The breast bone. It articulates with the clavicle and the cartilage of the first through the seventh ribs. Steroid: A potent anti-inflammatory drug which can be given orally in tablet form, intravenously, intramuscularly, or into a joint, a tendon sheath or other tissues. Stimulus: That which causes sensation (i.e., light for vision, salt for taste, sound for hearing, etc.). When a person begins to emerge from coma, an organized program of controlled stimulation is sometimes used to begin “exercising” the brain. However, when a person becomes agitated, the amount and intensity of stimulation should be limited (e.g., only one task for one sense at a time). Straight-Leg Raise: A physical examination maneuver typically used to determine if a low back spinal nerve is under tension. The patient is lying on his/her back or in a sitting position, and the leg is raised. Strain: Trauma to the muscle or tendons as a result of violent contraction or excessive stretching. Subacute: Between acute and chronic. Further defined by some to mean the time period six to twelve weeks into the healing process. Defined by others by the level of inflammation and symptoms. Subarachnoid Space: The space below the arachnoid membrane which is filled with spinal fluid. The arachnoid membrane is a layer enclosing the brain and spinal cord, just below the dura.
Subjective: A finding on any exam that is reported by the patient and is dependent on patient report for its reliability. Subluxation: In chiropractic terms, subluxation refers to an abnormal joint movement beyond normal range of motion, producing neurological effects. In medical terms, an incomplete or partial dislocation of a joint. Subluxation Complex: A chiropractic term relating to the various components of a spinal subluxation. These components include spinal kinesiopathology (abnormal spinal position or movement), myopathology (abnormal muscle function), neuropathology (abnormal nerve function), histopathology (abnormal soft tissue function), and pathophysiology (resultant degenerative processes. Subpoena: A written command requiring a person to appear at a certain time and place to give testimony at a deposition or other proceeding. A subpoena need only give the person five (5) court days notice to be valid. Subpoena Duces Tecum: A written command requiring a witness to produce documentary or other tangible evidence he/she possesses or controls and which is relevant to matters at issue in the case. Subrogation: When an insurance company pays the claim of a policy holder, the policy holder then gives the insurance company the right to seek money back from the person or manufacturer who caused the accident or damage. This is called subrogating the claim. Summary Judgment: A procedure by which one party seeks to persuade the court that there is no genuine issue or controversy regarding material facts, and accordingly, that the party filing the motion is entitled to prevail as a matter of law. Summons: Notice to all defendants that a lawsuit has been commenced, that they have been named as a defendant, and that they must answer the complaint within twenty (20) days or a default judgment may be taken against them. Superior: Position of an anatomical part which is above or higher than another anatomical part. Superior Court: In the state of Washington, this is the court of general jurisdiction over all personal injury type claims and cases involving probate, family law, real estate and criminal felonies. Also, it has jurisdiction over appeal from District Court. Superior Ilium: One of the bones of each half of the pelvis. It is the top and widest part of the pelvis. See Ilium. Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A federal program that provides money to people with low incomes who are age 65 and older and to people with low incomes and who have severe disabilities. The money helps pay for food, clothing, and shelter. For more information go to: http://www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/ Supreme Court of Washington: Highest appellate court in Washington State. Has discretion to accept or reject any appeal from the Court of Appeals. Supported Employment: Competitive work in integrated work settings for individuals for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred, or for whom competitive employment has been interrupted as a result of a severe disability, and whom, because of the disability, need ongoing support services to perform that work. Supraspinous Ligament: A ligament which attaches to and continues over the spinous processes. Supraspinatus Tendinitis: Inflammation of the supraspinatus tendon, found at the top of shoulder blade/lower neck region. Supraspinatus Tendon: The tendon attaching the supraspinatus muscle to the anatomy of the shoulder joint. Surface EMG: A graphic record of micro-voltage present in muscles in static or active contraction as measured by sensors placed upon the skin. Swayback: Excessive forward curve of the spine, including excessive lumbarlordosis and traumatic kyphosis. See lumbar lordosis. Sx: Abbreviation for “symptoms” or “subjective” pain complaints. Sympathetic Dystrophy: See Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Sympathetic Nervous System: One of the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system which effects heart rate, blood pressure, and blood flow to the skeletal muscles, perspiration, dilation of the pupils, and depression of gastrointestinal activity. Symptom Magnification: The reporting of symptoms by a patient which are greater than would be expected. See Malingerer, Secondary Gain. Synovial Fluid: The lubricating fluid within the joints. Synovial Membrane: The normal lining of a joint, which becomes inflamed when traumatized or arthritic. Synovitis: Inflammation of the synovial membrane. |
Skull Fracture: The
breaking of bones surrounding the brain. A depressed skull fracture is one
in which the broken bone exerts pressure on the brain.
SPECT: An acronym for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography,
a nuclear-radiographic technique. Often used to detect presence of fractures
or other bone abnormalities.
Subdural: Beneath
the dura (tough membrane) covering the brain and spinal cord.