Mini Symposium: Spine (Degeneration, Low Back Pain, Disc Prolapse) Flashcards
(38 cards)
What type of disc protrusion causes cauda equina syndrome?
Central disc protrusion
What type of joints are intervertebral discs?
Secondary cartilagenous
What are the components of the intervertebral discs?
Annulus fibrosus iis the though outer layer
Nucleus pulposus is the gelatinous core
•Annulus may tear and nucleus prolapse
–Can cause cord / nerve root compression
What connects the discs with the vertebral bodies?
The ALL and the PLL
- The fibres of the annulus fibrosis (collagen) run obliquely and alternately between layers
- They resist rotational movements
- Discs fail with twisting movements
What is the nucleus pulposus made up of?
Mainly of water
and collagen and proteoglycans (very hydrophilic)
The disc is kidney bean shaped - what dircetion are disc prolapses usually?
Usually posterolateral

What is the normal ageing process of the intervertebral discs?
Water content decreases, disc space is narrowed. This process is usually increased by smoking
What are the possible courses of pathology after the annulus fibrosis has been torn and the nucleus pulposus starts to protrude outwards?
Nerve root compression by osteophytes
Central spinal stenosis
Abnormal movement: spondylolysis - (this is a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis of the vertebral arch)
Spondylolisthesis - The displacement of one vertebra in relation to another
What are the key features of radiculopathy?
Limb pain is worse than back pain
Pain in a nerve root distribution
What is the therapy for nerve root pain?
- Most will settle, about 90% in 3 months
- Physiotherapy
- Strong analgesia
- Referral after 12 weeks
- Imaging
–MRI
What are the different classification of slipped disc?
Bulge
Protrusion - annulus is weakened but still intact
Extrusion Through annulus but in continuity
Sequestration - dessicated disc material free in canal

What is the most ocmmonly affected disc prolapse in the cervical spine?
Most commonly the C5/C6 disc
What percentage of slipped discs are thoracic slippled discs?
Less than 1%
They are mid to lower levels (most are at the T11 - T 12 part)
Herniations are central, posterolateral and lateral
Where are the common places for lumbar herniations?
•Usually L4/5 (45%), followed by L5/S1 (40%), then L3/4 (10%)
Most prolapses are posterolateral (posterior longitudinal ligament is the weakest)
Central dis may give pain in both legs, or may be back pain only
Which nerve root and disc are associated with the following clinical picture?
Sensory loss: Little toe and sole of foot
Motor weakness: Plantar flexion of foot
Reflex change: Ankle jerk
Disc - L5/S1
Nerve root - S1
Which nerve root and disc are associated with the following clinical picture?
Sensory loss - great toe and first dorsal web space
Motor weakness - EHL
Reflex change - none
Disc - L4/L5
Nerve root - L5
Which nerve root and disc are associated with the following clinical picture?
Sensory loss - medial aspect of lower leg
Motor weakness - quads
Reflex change - knee jerk
Disc - L3/L4
Nerve root - L4
What is the management of suspected cauda equina?
Urgent MRI
Emergency surgery within 48 hours - delay results in permanent dysfunction
•sacral nerve roots compressed – can result in permanent bladder and anal sphincter dysfunction and incontinence
What are the common causes of cauda equina syndrome?
–central lumbar disc prolapse (commonest)
–tumours
–trauma (burst or Chance #, disc) or spinal stenosis
–infection (epidural abscess)
–iatrogenic (spinal surgery or manipulation, spinal epidural injection)
Chance fracture results from excessive flexion of the spine and is frequently unstable
What are the clinical features of cauda equina syndrome?
–Injury or precipitating event
–Location of symptoms (bilat buttock & leg pain + varying dysaethesiae + weakness – beware)
–Bowel or bladder dysfunction (urinary retention +/- incontinence overflow)
–PR exam - saddle anaesthesia (perianal loss of sensation), loss of anal tone & anal reflex
–High index of suspicion in spinal post-op patients with increasing leg pain in presence of urinary retention
What is the investigation for cauda equina if MRI is contraindicated?
Lumbar CT myelogram
What are the potential outcomes for cauda equina syndrome?
After discoectomy still cases of:
Abnormal urinary function
Motor deficits
Sensory deficits
Perianal parasthesiae
Persistent sexual dysfunction
Where does the degeneration of cervical and lumbar spondylosis occur?
Facet joints
Discs
Ligaments
Spondylosis is referred to as arthritis of the spine