Spinal fratcures or DD

Question 1

Spondylosis

Answer 1

Degenerative changes to IVDs
“Shortest of all forms, so it’s degenerating, just like an IVD”

Question 2

Spondylolysis

Answer 2

Defect in pars interarticularis or posterior arch of the vertebra (fracture)

Question 3

Spondylolisthesis

Answer 3

Anterior displacement of one vertebra over another (bilateral fracture)

Retrolisthesis: posterior displacement of one vertebra on the vertebra just beneath it
Avoid flexion
Retrolisthesis is rarer (NPTE is normally referring to anterior displacement)
Examine lateral view of X-ray
No extension exercises!

Question 4

Scheuermann disease

Answer 4

Thoracic kyphosis
Anterior wedging of ≥ 5° in 3 adjacent vertebrae

Commonly found in mid- and lower thoracic areas

Often affects young gymnasts

Schmorl nodes present
Congenital or degenerative weakening of vertebral end plates
Normally no radicular signs and symptoms (S/S) because nerve root is not involved
Do extension exercises

Question 5

Pott disease

Answer 5

● Tuberculosis (TB) of the spine; lower TS and upper LS are most affected
● Tuberculous arthritis of intervertebral joints

Question 6

■ Spinal stenosis

Answer 6

Narrowing of spinal canal
● Pain with extension; feels better walking uphill or holding onto cart
● Do flexion exercises

Question 7

Ankylosing spondylitis

Answer 7

Progressive inflammatory (rheumatic) disease that affects axial skeleton
● “Bamboo spine”
● Do extension exercises
● Diagnosis criteria
➤ Night pain
➤ Back pain for ≥ 3 months
➤ More common in men
➤ Ages 20–50 years
➤ Rigid spine
➤ Human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) level and erythrocyte sedimentation
rate (ESR) increase