5-839.b0:

You have had an operation to insert a placeholder between the spinous processes of two adjacent vertebrae.

The spine is made up of the individual vertebrae. Between every 2 vertebrae there is a vertebral disc. Most vertebrae consist of a vertebral body and a vertebral arch. The vertebral body bears the weight of the body. The vertebral arches lie on top of one another to form the spinal canal. The spinal cord lies in the vertebral canal.

Most vertebrae have a bony projection at the vertebral arch that points backwards. This bony projection is called a spinous process. The spinous processes can be felt from the outside. To the right and left of the spine, at the level of each vertebra, a spinal nerve comes out. The spinal nerves come out of the spine through openings between the vertebrae. The spinal nerves transmit information between the spine and the body.

The aim of the placeholder is to enlarge the space between the two spinous processes. The aim of the placeholder is to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves or on the spinal column in the spinal canal.