Flashcards in Spine Deck (57):
1
What are some diagnostic studies for the spine?
X-ray, CT scan, MRI, myelography, EMG, discogram
2
Prognosis of pain imaging studies
c. Used to evaluate discogenic pain ofter underestimated by mri esp in c spine
d. A provocative study
e. Discs that are anatomically normal with saline or contrast injection should not be painful
f. Painless tears common in c and t spine but not in lumbar
g. Pain with injection that mimics clinical syndrome are asscociated with annular tears
h. Indications are disc and end plate abnormalities on other imaging studies clinically significant
i. Pressure sensitive injection
j. Experienced person doing study
3
What are some inflammatory conditions of the spine?
RA, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis –autoimmune disease – collagen
4
Radiculopathy?
Radicular pain is usually sciatica
5
Myelopathy?
Thoracic herniations are not common
Myelopathy- happens higher in spine such as compression of SC
6
Stenosis?
Spinal claudication- signs of lumbar stenosis
Narrowing of bone channel occupied by spinal nerves or spinal cord. Degenerative
7
What is double crush syndrome?
Problems in 2 different areas
8
What is spondylolisthesis?
Vertebrae bulges anteriorly
9
What is Batzins plexus?
Group of veins
10
What are some other issues with the spine?
Ankylosis spondylitis RA
xvi. Facet arthropathy
xvii. Annular tears
xviii. Discitis
xix. Vertebral osteomyelitis
xx. Epidural Abscess
xxi. Tuberculosis
xxii. Primary vs metastatic
xxiii. Osteopenia
xxiv. Parathyroid disease
11
What do you want to note when asking about the history of a spinal injury?
Timing of onset
Trauma?
Change in activities
Patterns of pain (temporal, geographic)
12
Pain with injection that mimics clinical syndrome are associated with
Annular tears
13
Painless tears are most common in
C and t spine
14
Does myelopathy happen higher or lower in spine?
Higher- compression of SC
15
Do steroids cause osteoporosis?
Yes
16
Where is DDD most commonly found?
Lumbar
17
Age of onset?
20 and above.
18
What is the predictable pattern of DDD?
Dehydration
Increased thiccckness
Fibrosis
Cant absorb shock
Tears A.F.
Disc collapse
Compression of vert
19
What are the risk factors of DDD?
Age
BMI
Genetics
Obesity, smoking
Psychosocial factors
Arthrosclerosis
High impact sports, trauma, work/environment puts ppl at greater risk
20
What is bulbcavernosus reflex?
Bulbocavernosus reflex is used to test for integrity of sacral sensory and motor fibers as well as sacral cord segments - s2-s4
“Spinal shock”
When this returns, spinal shock over.
Usually lasts 48 hours
21
What is anterior cord syndrome?
Loss of motor pain and temp sensations
Proprioception intact
Poor prognosis
22
Posterior cord syndrome?
Decreased sensation and proprioception
Motor intact
23
Central cord?
usually in CS
Sacral sparing
Weakness in UE
24
Brown-Sequard
Ipsil motor and proprioception loss
Contralateral sensory loss
Good prog
25
What is cauda equine syndrome?
Compression of spinal nerve roots
26
What are some symptoms of cauda equina?
Pain in upper sacrum, parenthesia buttock, genitals, B&B incontinence, sexual dysfunction
RED FLAG- surgical emergency
27
Lumbar disc herniation can present with
Pain with spinal ROM, radicular pain, weakness, numbness paresthesias in distribution of compressed nerve
28
What position would be more painful for someone with a hearniation?
Flexion
29
What are some meds to help with herniations?
Non steroidal, steroid, epidural, muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory
30
What are some other factors to help with back pain?
Lifestyle management, ID other risk factors
31
What is a discectomy?
Surgical removal or herniated disc
32
Who decides if pt needs a discectomy?
PT and doc except in presence of cauda equina syn
33
Cauda equina syndrome presents as
Profound weakness, BB incontinence, urinary retention
34
What are indications for ALIF?
Painful degenerative lumbar disc disease
Often combined with post approach for better stabilization
35
What’s a good conservative tx for a pt with cervical disc herniation?
PT would emphasize cervical traction
Meds
36
Surgical tx for cervical herniation?
Ant cervical discectomy
Ant cervical fusion with instrumentation
37
Post op care after cervical discectomy/fusion?
Low load for 3 mo
UE strengthening 4 wks post op
38
What are the goals of vertebral compression fx?
Pain reduction, reduce deformity
39
How does vertebroplasty differ from kyphoplasty?
Vertebroplasty- cement insertion with no reduction in fx
Kyphoplasty- attempts reduction with balloon
40
What are indications for vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty?
Trauma, tumor, osteoporosis, complications, allergic rxn, nerve damage, PE, cement leakage into epidural space, DO WITHIN 8 WKS of fx
41
What are some indications of PLIF?
Spondlyolisthesis, discogenic low back pain, radicular pain
42
What are the advantages of PLIF?
Ant fusion without 2 incisions, decompression
43
Does ALIF or PLIF have a better stabilization approach?
ALIF
44
What percentage of the adult population will experience back pain?
80%
45
What is a major red flag?
Loss of bowel/bladder control
46
What is associated with disc degeneration?
Spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, LE SandS predominates
47
What is spinal stenosis? What population is most affected?
Narrowing of canal, >65 y.o
Accumulation of material, bony overgrowth, fragmentation of disc
48
LE S&S can be
Neurogenic and vascular
49
Spondylolisthesis is most commonly found
L4-5, ant slippage, (+) association with F gender and greater facet jt angle.
50
What are the psychosocial considerations for a poor surgical outcome?
3+ of the 5 Waddell signs
1. Discrepancy b/w seated and lying SLR
2. Superficial widespread nonanatomical tenderness
3. Pain w axial loadingof head or rotation of shoulders and pelvis together
4. No dermatology snesory deficits “my whole leg is numb”
5. Overreaction on exam
Use cautiously- doesnt exclude organic causes of pain.
51
What conclusions can be made about Waddell signs?
WS doesnt correlate with psychological distress, does not discriminate organic from nonorganic problems, WS may rep an organic phenomenon, WS are associated with poorer tx outcome, WS associate w greater pain levels, WX not associated with 2ndary pain, WS demonstrate some methodological problems
52
What are the special considerations for women and men?
Women- cyclic pain, abn menstruation, fibroids, ectopic pregnancy
Men— >50 yo with LBP or suprapubis pain,
dysuria- initiating/stopping flow, change in freq, nocturnal (ask about color smell) incontinece, hematuria, sex dysfunction
53
RED FLAGS screen!!
Systemic S&S, associated S&S, B&B, saddle anesthesia, decreased DTR (can be decreased in extremities, ok if sym), progressive sx, pain out of proportion, no MOI, unable to alleviate sx (constant pain), should not have acute lvl pain at chronic stage (6 wks)
Trauma
54
Yellow flags screen
Decreased MMT, difficulty describing pain, sx beyond expected timeframe, take thorough hx
55
Vascular screen?
Throbbing, absent pulse, increased w activity, relieved w rest, spinal pos, tropic changes (color texture temp) arterial in origin
56
Neurogenic
Burning, pulse intact (spinal stenosis pulse should be intact), may respond to prolonged rest, INCREASED WITH EXT, DECREASED W FLEX, no tropic, subtle ms weakness, accumulation of space occupying degenerative material
57