1- back pain, spinal deformity & red flags Flashcards
what length of back pain is it then called chronic?
more than 3 months
what are areas where back pain is felt?
- neck (cervical pain)
- middle back
- lower back (most common)
- tailbone
what are intrinsic causes of back pain?
- spinal MSK system (most common cause)
- neurological system
- haematopoietic system
what are extrinsic causes of back pain?
- extrinsic MSK system
- neighbouring viscera
- neurological system (not local)
what are common causes of back pain?
- degenerative (sprain, disc disease, spinal stenosis)
- vascular (aortic dissection, spinal SAH)
- neoplasm
- infection
- inflammation (ankylosing spondylitis)
- trauma
- metabolic disorder (crystal deposition diseases like gout)
- neighbouring viscera
what are back pain red flags?
- neurological deficit (numbness or weakness)
- history of cancer
- systemic features like fever, chills, night sweats
- IV drug use
- immunosuppression
- trauma
- osteoporosis
- thoracic back pain
- pain at rest & night
- age <50yrs or <16yrs
what type of back pain might indicate neoplasm?
severe unrelenting pain, nocturnal pain, unrelieved by bed rest
what is low back pain examination?
LOOK, FEEL, MOVE
Look = deformity, curvature
Feel = spine, paraspinal musculature, SIJ
Move = flex, extend & lateral bend spine & hip
Tests - SLR, FABER (test for hip arthritis), neurological exam (power, tone, reflexes), vascular exam
what are causes of degenerative neck pain?
cervical spondylosis, cervical radiculopathy, cervical myelopathy
what are causes of infection causing neck pain?
discitis, osteomyelitis, epidural abscess
what are causes of inflammation causing neck pain?
rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis
what viscera problem can cause neck pain?
carotid dissection
what symptoms can be meningitis?
headache, fever, stiffness, neck pain = red flag
what are provocative neck pain tests?
spurlings arm compression, overhead abduction relief
what are red flag emergencies for back pain diagnosis?
- Traumatic fracture or dislocation
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Acute foot drop
- Acute cord compression
- Spinal infection
what are some common risk factors for spinal fracture?
- elderly patients
- osteoporosis
- long term steroid use
what is assessed during an upper limb and lower limb neurology exam in spinal injury?
- motor function
- sensory function
- reflexes
= this helps identify any nerve damage
what are upper motor neuron signs that should prompt further assessment in back pain?
- Hyperreflexia = exaggerated reflexes
- Spasticity= increased muscle tone leading to stiffness
- Positive Babinski sign = big toe extends upwards when sole foot stroked
- Clonus = involuntary, rhythmic muscle contractions following a sudden stretch of muscle
what is cauda equina syndrome?
“Dysfunction of multiple lumbar & sacral nerve roots”
caused by - cauda equina compression from large central herniated lumbar disc prolapse, tumour, etc. and non-compressive aetiology – polyradiculopathy, post RT, vascular, AS etc.
what are typical features of cauda equina syndrome?
urinary retention, urinary or faecal incontinence, saddle anaesthesia
what is acute foot drop?
red flag of back pain where weakness of ankle dorsiflexion - you grade muscle weakness out of 5
what is acute cord compression?
sudden & severe compression of spinal cord resulting in rapid onset of neurological symptoms like severe weakness/numbness of extremities
= it’s a red flag