3 - Radiculopathy & Pelexopathy Flashcards
(49 cards)
List 6 Muscles With Dual Innervation π
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg382
Describe the difference between the dorsal and ventral rami of the spinal cord.
Origin
Both (dorsal roots and ventral roots) exist from spinal cord
They join beyond the dorsal root ganglion.
Dorsal Rami
Innervate the paraspinal muscles
Carry sensory information from overlying skin
Ventral Rami
Innervate anterior horn motor neurons of muscles of the cervical, brachial, or lumbosacral plexus.
Contains axons originating from sensory and sympathetic ganglia
Neurology Secrets 6th Edition Chapter 7 Radiculopathy pg95
At which level do the lumbar nerve roots exit? Which root is most likely to be injured in a disc herniation? for i.e. L5/S1 ππ EXAM 2021
Lateral L3-L4 disc β L3 nerve root affected
- Pain and sensory changes in anterior thigh
- Weakness in hip flexors/knee extensors
- Decreased patellar tendon reflex
Central L5-S1 disc herniation β S1 nerve root affected
- Pain and sensory changes to posterior thigh/leg
- Weakness to plantar flexion, hamstrings
- Decreased ankle jerk reflex
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 4 MSK pg289
What is the distinction between spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, and spondylolysis? ππ EXAM
Spondylosis
Nonspecific degenerative process of the spine, often due to osteoarthritis with osteophyte formation
Spondylolisthesis
Anterior subluxation of one vertebral body on another
Spondylolysis
Defect in the pars interarticularis that allows the vertebra to slip upward
Neurology Secrets 6th Eiditon Chapter 7 Radiculopathy pg95
What is the difference between a disc bulge, protrusion, and herniation ππ
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 4 MSK pg288-289
Spinal Cord Abutment
Epidural extension without cord compression
https://radiopaedia.org/articles/epidural-spinal-cord-compression-escc-scale-2
What are the non-discogenic non-spondylitic causes of radiculopathy? ππ
- Tumors
- Abcess
- Hermorrhage
- Cysts
- Infection: TB, Syphilis, HIV infection
- Arachnoiditis
PMR Secrets 3rd Edition Chapter 17 pg142
List 8 causes of radiculogpthy.
What are the two most common?
π‘ Non-traumatic Cervical Myelopathy 1) Spondylosis 2) Stenosis.
Causes of radiculogpthy:
- Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) < 50 years
- Spinal stenosis > 50 years old
- Mass in the spine: lipoma
- Abscess
- Hematoma
- Metastasis
- Inflammation Tuberculosis (TB)
- Infection Arachnoiditis
- Diabetes mellitus
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg380
PMR Secrets 3rd Edition Chapter 17 Radiculopathy pg142 Q2
What condition can mimic cervical radiculopathy? π
π‘ C5-C6 radicular pain from shoulder to thumb passing elbow.
1- Fibromyalgia
Pain all over, female predominance, sleep problems, tender to palpation in multiple areas
2- Regional myofascial pain
Trigger point reproducing localized or radiating pain syndrome
3- Polymyalgia rheumatica
Age >50 yr; pain and stiffness in neck, shoulders, and hips; high ESR, responde to steroid
4- Acromioclavicular joint arthropathy
Pain in anterior chest with shoulder movement, tender on palpation & crossed adduction
5- Sternoclavicular joint arthropathy
Pain in anterior chest, pain with shoulder movement, pain on direct palpation
6- Shoulder bursitis, impingement syndrome, bicipital tendonitis
Pain with palpation, positive impingement signs, pain in C5 distribution
7- Lateral epicondylitis, Tennis elbow
Pain in lateral forearm, pain with palpation and resisted wrist extension
8- de Quervainβs tenosynovitis
Lateral wrist and forearm pain, tender at APL & EPB tendons; positive Finkelstein test
9- Trigger finger, stenosing, tenosynovitis of finger flexor tendons
Intermittent pain and locking of digit in flexion
PMR Secrets 3rd Edition Chapter 17 Radiculopathy pg145 Q7 Table 17-2
What condition can mimic lumbar radiculopathy? π
π‘ Think 3D from anterio-lateral-poaterior hip down to soles passing knees.
1- Fibromyalgia
Pain all over, female predominance, sleep problems, tender to palpation in multiple areas
2- Myofascial pain syndrome
Trigger point reproducing localized or radiating pain syndrome
3- Polymyalgia rheumatica
Age >50 yr; pain and stiffness in neck, shoulders, and hips; high ESR, response to steroid
4- Hip arthritis
Pain in groin, anterior thigh and weight-bearing, positive Patrickβs test
5- Trochanteric bursitis
Lateral hip pain, pain with palpation over lateral and posterior hip
6- Knee arthritis
7- Patellofemoral Pain
Anterior knee pain, worse with prolonged sitting, positive patellar compression test
8- Pes anserinus bursitis
Medial proximal tibia pain, tender to palpation
9- Hamstring tendinitis, chronic strain
Posterior knee and thigh pain, can mimic positive straight-leg raise, common in runners
10- Bakerβs cyst
Posterior knee pain and swelling
11- Plantar fasciitis
Pain in sole of foot, worse with weight-bearing activities, tender to palpation
12- Gastrocnemius-soleus tendonitis, chronic strain
Calf pain, worse with sports activities, usually limited range of motion
PMR Secrets 3rd Edition Chapter 17 Radiculopathy pg146 Q8 Table 17-3
Clinical Findings of Radiculopathies 3 marks ππ
LMN Syndrome:
- Sensory loss
- Radicular pain
- Muscle weakness
- Reduced reflexes
- Retention or Incontinence
PMR Secrets 3rd Edition Chapter 17 Radiculopathy pg143 Q4
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg380
60 yo man with neck pain, fasciculation on right deltoid and biceps. Mention the nerve root.
You evaluated a 60 year old man who has recurrent neck pain. On examination he has fasiculations of the right deltoid and biceps. What root represents the abnormalities seen in this man? (one mark)
C5 Motor root
MRI L4-L5 Disc, mention the root affected ππ
Motor Examination for Lumbar Radiculopathy (from L3 to S1) ππ
L3 Root
Power: hip adduction & knee extension weakness
L4 Root
Power: ankle dorsiflexion weakness (L4 > L5) test by having patient walk on heels
Reflex: decreased patellar reflex
L5 Root
Power: EHL weakness (L5), ankle inversion weakness
Trendelenburg gait & Abduction : gluteus medius weakness (L5)
Reflex: decreased Hamstring reflex
S1 Root
Ankle plantar flexion weakness (S1) have patient do 10 single leg toes stands
Reflex: decreased Achilles tendon reflex
What are the signs of an L4 radiculopathy?
- Sensory: Pain and paresthesias radiating to the hip, anterior thigh, and medial aspects of the knee and calf. Sensation is impaired over the medial calf. (L4 dermatome)
- Motor: Weakness occurs in the quadriceps and hip adductors.
- Reflex: Knee jerk is diminished
Neurology Secrets 6th Edition Chapter 7 Radiculopathy pg95
What are signs of an L5 radiculopathy? ππ
π‘ It is most easily identified by weakness in the extensor hallucis longus (EHL)
- Sensory: Pain radiating to the posterolateral buttock, lateral posterior thigh, and lateral leg.
- Motor: Weakness in gluteus medius, tibialis anterior and posterior, peronei, and extensor hallucis longus. Result in difficulty in ankle dorsiflexion, eversion, inversion, and hip abduction.
- Reflex: Ankle reflex is usually normal
Neurology Secrets 6th Edition Chapter 7 Radiculopathy pg95
What are the signs of an S1 radiculopathy?
- Sensory: Pain radiating to posterior buttock, posterior calf, and lateral foot (classic sciatica). Sensory loss in the third, fourth, and fifth toes.
- Motor: Weakness may occur in the gluteus maximus (hip flexor) and plantar flexors.
- Reflex: Ankle jerk is usually diminished
Neurology Secrets 6th Edition Chapter 7 Radiculopathy pg95
What are the clinical features of lumbar stenosis?
- Neurogenic intermittent claudication or pseudoclaudication
- Pain is provoked by walking and standing, due increase in lordotic posture.
Neurology Secrets 6th Edition Chapter 7 Radiculopathy pg96
List 4 Indications to refer LBP for surgical assessment. ππ
- Cauda Equina Syndrom
- Cervical Myelopathy (Compression)
- Progressive motor deficits
- Pain not responsive to treatment
Which categories of medication may be of help during acute phases of pain?
1- NSAIDS
musculoskeletal inflammation or inflammation or nerve root swelling
2- Muscle relaxants
Muscle spasms and improve sleep
3- Antidepressant drugs (e.g., tricyclics) and antiepileptic drugs (e.g., gabapentin)
For neuropathic pain
Neurology Secrets 6th Edition Chapter 7 Radiculopathy pg101
EDX findings in radiculoapthy
List 4 conditions where EMG is normal in radiculopathy
Positive EDX Study for Radiculopathy
FIBs or PSWs should be found in two different muscles innervated by two different peripheral nerves originating from the same root
Normal EMG in Radiculopathy (Remember 1st two common causes)
- Acute Lesion: maybe decreased recruitment of MUAPs in weak muscles.
- Pure sensory: proximal to DRG
- Pure demyelinating: unless conduction block β weakness β low MUAP recruitment
- Spinal Stenosis
- Proximal Muscles
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 pg381
Findings of EDX study in Radiculopathy? ππ
Abnormal
- Only motor weakness with axonal lesion will show reduced CMAP
Normal
- Sensory symptoms
- Purely demyelinating
- Incomplete
- Chronic reinnervation
NCS
- SNAP: Normal since lesion is located proximal to the DRG (pre-ganglionic)
- CMAP: Normal or reduced amplitude if axonal degeneration occurs
- H-reflex: Abnormal in an S1 radiculopathy (not pathognomonic)
- F-waves: Muscles have more than one root innervation, which can result in a normal latency
EMG (mixed picture)
- Large MUAP at reduced recruitment pattern.
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg380
Needle EMG criteria for diagnosing a radiculopathy? π What is the positive findings indicating present of radiculopathy in EMG study?
EMG criteria for Radiculopathy
- FIBs or PSWs should be found in two different muscles innervated by same root but two different peripheral nerves
- Six muscles (five peripheral muscles + paraspinals)
Normal in
- Demyelinating neuropathies
- Pure sensory nerve injuries
- Chronic nerve injuries
- Missed by random sampling
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg381
Muscles for sampling
Upper Limb: deltoid, triceps, pronator teres, abductor pollicis brevis, extensor digitorum communis, and cervical paraspinal muscles. (pointing forward)
Lower Limb: vasts medialis, anterior tibialis, posterior tibialis, short head of biceps femoris, medial gastrocnemius, and lumbar paraspinal muscles.
PMR Secrets 3rd Edition Chapter 17 Radiculopathy pg147 Q16
Why is the EMG normal for many people with radiculopathy? π
1- Sensory radiculopathy:
Affects sensory nerve roots and causes radicular pain and numbness will demonstrate a normal EMG.
2- Motor radiculopathy (motor neurapraxia)
Demyelination lesion will result in normal study
3- Chronic Radiculopathies
Slow axonal loss that is balanced with reinnervation may show polyphasic motor units or large motor units firing in a reduced recruitment pattern.
PMR Secrets 3rd Edition Chapter 17 Radiculopathy pg147 Q15
4- Some muscles are dual innervated, resulting in normal study