Ch. 9 Lumbar Spine, Sacrum, and Coccyx Pathology Flashcards
the systemic illness of unknown origin involves the spine and larger joints. it predominantly affects men from ages 20-40 years and results in pain and stiffness that result from inflammation of the SI, intervertebral, and costovertebral joints, in addition to paraspinal calcification, with ossification and ankylosis (union of bone) of the spinal joints. may cause complete rigidity of the spine and thorax, which usually is seen first in the SI joints
ankylosing spondylitis
this fx may be due to trauma, osteoporosis, or metastatic disease, the superior and inferior surfaces of the vertebral body are driven together, producing a wedge-shaped vertebra. for patients with osteoporosis or other vertebral pathology, the force needed to cause this fx type may be minor. This type of fx rarely causes a neurologic deficit
compression fracture
fx results from hyperflexion force that causes fracture through the vertebral body and posterior elements. Patients wearing lap type seat belts are at risk because these belts act as a fulcrum during sudden deceleration
chance fracture
usually due to trauma or improper lifting. The soft inner part of the intervertebral disk (nucleus pulposus) protrudes through the fibrous outer layer, pressing on the spinal cord or nerves. It occurs most frequently at the L4-L5 level causing sciatica
herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP)
an irritation of the sciatic nerve that passes down the posterior leg
sciatica
describes the normal concave curvature of eh lumbar spine and an abnormal or exaggerated concave lumbar curvature. may result from pregnancy, obesity, poor posture, rickets, or tuberculosis of the spine
lordosis
a congenital condition in which the posterior aspects of the vertebrae fail to develop, thus exposing part of the spinal cord. This condition varies greatly in severity and occurs most often at L5
spina bifida
involves the forward movement of one vertebra in relation to another. It is commonly due to a developmental defect in the pars interarticularis or may result from spondylolysis or severe osteoarthritis. It is common at L5-S1 but also occurs at L4-L5. severe cases require a spinal fusion
spondylolisthesis
is the dissolution of a vertebra, such as from aplasia (lack of development) of the vertebral arch and separation of the pars interarticularis of the vertebra. On the oblique projection, neck of scottie dog appears broken. most common at L4-L5
spondylolysis
developmental anomaly characterized by incomplete closure of the vertebral canal
spinal bifida
a defect in the pars interarticularis that gives the scottie dog the appearance of a fracture through the neck in the oblique projection. it most commonly involves L5 and predisposes it to the forward displacement of one vertebra on the other
spondylolysis
the forward displacement of one vertebra on the other
spondylolisthesis
metabolic disorder of unknown etiology - one of the most common chronic diseases of the skeleton. destruction of bone followed by a reparative process results in weakened, deformed and thickened bony structures that tend to fracture easily. Often involving multiple bones, it particularly affects the pelvis, femurs, skull, tibias, vertebrae, clavicles, and ribs
paget disease
an inflammatory reaction in the SI joints which proceeds to complete bony fusion of these joints. if the spine is involved, the vertebral bodies are fused to each other. advanced cases have a fixed gross kyphosis
ankylosing spondylitis
soft inner part of the vertebral disk (nucleus pulposus) protrudes through fibrous outer layer of the disk. occurs often between L4 to L5, often causes sciatica. myelograms used to be the way to visualize this, now CT and MRI are modalities of choice
herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP)
