Spinal Fractures Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 3 columns of the spine used for describing spinal fractures?

A

Anterior column
Middle column
Posterior column

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2
Q

What is included in the anterior column?

A

Anterior longitudinal ligament
Anterior half of thee vertebral body
Anterior disc

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3
Q

What is in the middle column?

A

Posterior half of the vertebral body
Posterior disc
Posterior longitudinal ligament

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4
Q

What is in the posterior column?

A

Spinous process
Lamina, pedicles, superior and inferior articulating processes
Ligamentum flavum
Interspinous and supraspinous ligaments

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5
Q

How is a stable spinal fracture classified?

A

If only one column is involved - they dont cause spinal deformity or neurological problems

Except - when both pedicles are fractured (these are unstable)

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6
Q

How is an unstable spinal fracture classified?

A

When 2 or more columns are affected. - it will cause spinal deformity and lead to neurological problems

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7
Q

What are 3 types of spinal fractures?

A
  • Compression/ wedge fracture - loss of height of the vertebral due to trauma or pathological fracture.
  • Burst fracture - fractures of the vertebra in multiple locations
  • Fracture- dislocations - fractured vertebra and disrupted ligaments - instability Amy cause spinal cord compression
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8
Q

What is Spondylolistheis?

A

A condition where one vertebra slides forward over the veterans below it

Spondyl = vertebra
O = connector
Listhesis = slipping

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9
Q

How is Spondylolisthesis classified?

A

There are 4 grades - determined by % slippage anteriorly

1 = <25%
2 = 25-50%
3 = 50-75%
4 = >75%

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10
Q

What ligament may be damaged due to whiplash?

A

Anterior longitudinal ligament

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11
Q

What ligament in the spine may be damaged due to hyper flexion?

A

Nuchal ligament

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