Spinal Flashcards
(9 cards)
What happens with Spondylosis
Vertebrae move closer
Spurs or Osteophytes form at disc edges, Luschka
Foramen Narrows
Nerve root is compressed
Results in mild root inflammation and Swelling
Chronic disorder in older patients
Spondylosis symptoms?
Degenerative Disk pain
Worse with spine flexion such as sitting
Facet pain
Worse with spine extension such as standing or walking
Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
II. Pathophysiology
Hard disc lesion: Cervical Spondylosis (chronic)
Pressure of posterior osteophytes at anterior cord
Results in combined nerve root and cord symptoms
III. Symptoms
Cervical Nerve root related symptoms (upper extremity)
Cervical Disc Herniation symptoms in arms
Cord related symptoms (lower extremity)
Gait difficulty
Leg weakness and spasticity
IV. Course
Gradual onset at age 50 with slow progression
Spinal Stenosis signs
These symptoms include pain, weakness, and tingling of the legs,[4] which may radiate down the legs to the feet.[5] Additional symptoms in the legs may be fatigue, heaviness, weakness, a sensation of tingling, pricking, or numbness, and leg cramps, as well as bladder symptoms.[5] Symptoms are most commonly bilateral and symmetrical, but they may be unilateral; leg pain is usually more troubling than back pain.[5]
It improves with trunk flexion, sitting, stooping or lying, and aggravates with prolonged standing or lumbar extension. As the condition becomes more advanced, sitting or lying down are less helpful in relieving the pain.
In patients with central stenosis, symptoms usually involve both the buttocks and both the posterior thighs in a non-dermatomal distribution. With lateral recess stenosis, symptoms are usually found dermatomal because specific nerves are compressed. Patients with lateral recess stenosis may have more pain during rest and at night, but more walking tolerance than patients with central stenosis.
What is Claudication?
Claudication is a medical term usually referring to impairment in walking, or pain, discomfort, numbness, or tiredness in the legs that occurs during walking or standing and is relieved by rest.[1][2] The perceived level of pain from claudication can be mild to extremely severe. Claudication is most common in the calves but it can also affect the feet, thighs, hips, buttocks, or arms.[1] The word claudication comes from the Latin claudicare meaning ‘to limp’
Causes of Back pain (referred?)
Kidneys stones - kidney diease - When you have kidney stones you may notice blood in your urine (called hematuria.) Other symptoms to be on the lookout for include pain while urinating, severe pain and/or in your abdominal area, your side and/or in your groin.
Metastatising Prostate Cancer
In this case, symptoms include (but are not limited to) difficulty walking and weakness in your legs, as well as difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels. This condition is known as cauda equina syndrome.
Abdominal aneurism - While most enlargements present few, if any, symptoms, when they rupture suddenly, two of the most obvious symptoms are sudden onset of severe abdominal pain and sudden onset of severe back pain. The pain may spread to your groin and buttocks, and may radiate down your leg, as well
It can be hard to get rid of this kind of pain, even with adequate rest.
According to the NIH, other symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm include.
Passing out Clammy skin Dizziness Nausea and vomiting Rapid heart rate Shock
Gallstones - Gallstones are often asymptomatic. But when symptoms do make themselves known, they will likely include severe pain in your upper abdomen on the right side that starts suddenly and lasts for at least a half hour. And, as mentioned above, you may also have pain under your right shoulder blade.
If you get indigestion after eating a high fat or high protein meal (which includes desserts and/or fried foods, of course) this may be a sign of a gallstone, as well.
Diff between Myelopathy and Radiculopathy /PN?
Myelopathy = Hyporeflexia
Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as writing or buttoning a shirt
Increased reflexes in extremities or the development of abnormal reflexes
Difficulty walking
Loss of urinary or bowel control
Issues with balance and coordination
Tests for CSM?
Babinskis sign - (POSITIVIE - hittind plantar surface dorsiflexes big toe
Hoffmans sign - If lesion above c5 ( - Will cause index finger and thumb to adduct when flicking middle finger
Testing for lesion above c2-4 - Pectoralis muscle reflex
Causes of numbness on legs?
Peripheral artery disease
Tumors or other abnormal growths
Tumors, cysts, abscesses, and benign (non-cancerous) growths can put pressure on the brain, spinal cord, or any part of the legs and feet. This pressure can restrict blood flow to the legs and feet, causing numbness.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic or long-lasting condition that causes widespread body pain, aching, and tenderness. Some people with fibromyalgia also experience numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
Most people with fibromyalgia experience a variety of symptoms including:
stiffness and soreness for no apparent reason, especially in the morning or after sleeping
chronic exhaustion
memory problems and difficulty thinking clearly, sometimes called fibro-fog
restless leg syndrome
Multiple sclerosis
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience sensory nerve damage that can cause numbness in a small region of their body or whole limbs. Although numbness associated with MS often only lasts for a short period, it can last long enough to become disabling.
Stokes and mini-strokes
Strokes or mini-strokes can cause brain damage that may affect how the mind interprets and processes nerve signals. A stroke or mini-stroke can sometimes cause temporary or long-term numbness in parts of the body
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when a nerve that runs down the back of the leg and along the inside of the ankle and into the foot is compressed, squeezed, or damaged.
The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space on the inside of the ankle. People with tarsal tunnel syndrome tend to feel numbness, burning, tingling, and shooting pain in their ankles, heels, and feet.
