A

analgesic

a medication that relieves pain without causing numbness

ankylosing spondylitis

an autoimmune condiion that causes progressive natural fusion of the vertebral bodies

annular tear

a disrupion in the outer ring (annulus fibrosis) of the disc

annulus fibrosis

a complex outer ring of dense fibres that encases the nucleus pulposus of the disc

anterior

towards the front of the body

AP X-Ray

An anterior-posterior X-ray producing an image as if the body is viewed from the front

anticonvulsants

medication to prevent seizures

antiemetics

medication to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting

aquatherapy

physical therapy or exercise therapy carried out in a pool

arthritis

inflammation affecting the joints

arthropathy

any degeneative abnormality affecting the joints

articular process

a part of a vertebra that extends from the lamina and supports a surface of a facet joint

artificial disc

totally synthetic device implanted to replace a spinal disc

autograft

any graft taken from the patients own body