Lumbar Spine & SI Injuries Flashcards
(52 cards)
What are the MOIs for low back pain?
Mechanical (i.e. posture, obesity, body mechanics, etc.)
Trauma
Recurrent/Chronic low back pain
True or false:
Mechanical back pain will remain in only the back. It won’t refer down past the butt.
True…it will only stay in the back region.
Where does mechanical low back pain come from?
Chronic overuse, posture, body mechanics, obesity, etc.
What are some signs and symptoms of low back pain? How should you treat this?
Antalgic gait, pain, weaknesss, etc.; correcting any malalignments or body mechanics, strengthening and stretching. Also focus on proper segmental mechanics
For lower cross syndrome, what muscles are tight? (x9)
Iliopsoas Rectus femoris Hamstrings Erector spinae Tensor Fascia Latae Thigh adductors Piriformis Quadratus lumborum Gastroc/Soleus
For lower cross syndrome, what muscles are weak? (x9)
Rectus abdominis Transverse abdominis Obliques Gluteus maximus Gluteus medius Gluteus minimis Vastus lateralis Vastus medialis Tibialis
What is the MOI for a low back muscle strain?
Sudden extension/contraction overload with some type of rotation
What are the signs and symptoms of a low back muscle strain?
Localized pain, no radiating pain distal to the butt, and no neurological involvement
What is myofascial pain syndrome? What is this often associated with?
Regional pain with referred pain to a specific area that occurs with pressure or palpation of a tender spot or trigger point within a muscle. Often associated with the thoracolumbar fascia
What is the MOI for a lumbar vertebrae fracture?
Compression fracture– trunk hyperflexion/falling from a height
Spinous/Transverse process fracture– direct blow
True or false:
Transverse and spinous process fractures are generally unstable fractures.
False–they are generally stable because of all the muscles and soft tissues that would surround the fracture.
True or false:
Vertebreal dislocations are rare.
True
What are some signs and swellings associated with a lumbar vertebrae fracture?
Point tenderness along the spinous/transverse processes, localized swelling, muscle guarding, palpable deformity of the spinous/transverse processes
What is the MOI for sciatica? (x6)
Nerve root compression IVD protrusion Tight piriformis Joint inflammation Structural irregularities within the intervertebrael foramen Bone spurs
What are the signs and symptoms of sciatica? Do they appear gradually or abruptly?
Sharp shooting radicular pain Tingling/numbness/burning Altered reflexes Weakness Symptoms can arise either gradually or abruptly
Why is it important to discover if sciatica is affecting a more general area or a specific (dermatome) area?
It can help pinpoint the cause of the sciatic..For example if it is general then the piriformis is probably tight because it is affecting the whole lower leg (after the nerves have converged to innervate that area). If it is more dermatome specific, then the problem is probably a nerve root or disc problem.
What is the most common discs to herniate?
L5 and S1
What is the management for sciatica?
Rest acutely and treat whatever is causing the sciatica
What is the MOI for a herniated disc?
Abnormal stress (i.e. forward bending and twisting) or degeneration of the discs
What are the signs and symptoms of a herniated disc? (x6) Is there a sudden or gradual onset?
Centrally localted pain
Unilateral radiculopathy pain in a dermatome pattern
Worse in the morning
Pain after sitting and then resuming activity (very painful)
Pain increase with bending and sitting
Pain decrease with back extension
These symptoms have a sudden or gradual onset
How do herniated discs present neurologically?
Unilaterally and dermatome specific
Where is the pain located with a herniated disc?
Centrally in the center of the spine
True or false:
There may be secondary muscle spasms associated with herniated discs.
True
What should initial treatment of a herniated disc be?
Pain-reducinng modalities (i.e. ice, heat, e-stim)
