3 - Traumatic & Non-Truamiatic SCI Flashcards
Name the major ligaments of the spine and the spine motions they resist ππ MOCK
- Anterior longitudinal ligament β Extension
- Posterior longitudinal ligament β Flexion
- Ligamentum flavum and facet joint β Flexion
- Interspinous and supraspinous ligaments β Flexion
PMR Secrets β 3rd edition β page 16
Patient with history of RTA or fall and you requested spinal xray. When do consider spine is unstable? Why itβs important? ππ Dr. Jamal Question
Denis Three Column of Spine Stability ππ MOCK & EXAM Question
ANTERIOR COLUMN
- Anterior portion of the vertebral body
- Anterior portion of the annulus fibrosus
- Anterior longitudinal ligament
MIDDLE COLUMN
- Posterior portion of the vertebral body
- Posterior portion of the annulus fibrosus
- Posterior longitudinal ligament.
POSTERIO COLUMN
- Pedicles
- Facet joints
- Laminae
- Supraspinous ligament
- Interspinous ligament
- Facet joint capsule
- Ligamentum flavum
Spine is considered unstable if
- The integrity of the middle and either the anterior or posterior column is affected
AOSpine subaxial cervical spine injury classification.
π‘ ABCFBL
- Compression (A)
- Tension like band (B)
- Translation (C)
- Facet (F)
- Bilateral (BL)
Braddom 6th Edition Chapter 49 SCI
41 yo M with stable L1 compression fracture. How long should he be on bed rest and analgesics. What type of bracing would you use? List 4 goals of bracing in this situation. ππ
1-3 weeks analgesia and bed rest for comfort.
Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Orthosis (TLSO) x 12 weeks
- Decrease pain.
- Provide stability/limit spinal motion.
- Prevent further injury/fractures.
- Prevent progressive deformity.
Mention 4 most restrictive braces
Removable: Minerva, Four poster & SOMI
Non-Removable: Halo
Most common vertebral level of Cervical Flexion/Extension Injuries ππ EXAM
Most common neurological level of injury in SCI
Most common neurological level of injury in paraoplegia π
- C5 is overall the most common level of injury
- T12 is the most common level of injury of paraplegia
- Most are incomplete tetraplegia > incomplete paraplegia
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 7 SCI pg7
List 4 most common causes of SCI ππ
List 4 causes of traumatic SCI.
- Motor vehicle crashes (Kids)
- Falls (Eldarly)
- Violance (Adult)
- Sports, Diving (Teens)
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 7 SCI pg535
Types of Odontoid (dens) fracture. Which is the most common type? ππ
Type I
- Fracture through the tip of dens.
- No treatment usually required.
Type II (most common)
- Fracture through the base of odontoid at junction with the C2 vertebra.
- Treatment: Halo vest, but surgery if unstable.
Type III
- Fracture extends from base of odontoid into the body of the C2 vertebra proper.
- Treatement: Halo vest
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 7 SCI pg548
List four types of flexion-extension injury seen in cervical SCI π
π‘ Flexion w/ loading or rotation vs Extension
1- Flexion/axial loading or Brust compression fracture
Anterior wedge-shaped-appearing vertebra
2- Flexion/rotation injury (Unilateral facet dislocation)
Incomplete SCI & Unstable with disruption of the PLL
3- Flexion (Bilateral facet dislocation)
Complete SCI & Unstable with disruption of the PLL
4- Hyperextension
Stable; anterior longitudinal ligament may be disrupted
Result in Central cord syndrome (UE weaker than LE +/- bowel)
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 7 SCI pg541 Table 7.1
30yo Athlete with Hx football spearing or swimming. Now presented with neck pain.
Jefferson fracture of C1
Burst fracture of the C1 ring
Management
- Stable fracture, no neurological findings: Rigid orthosis (i.e., Halo vest)
- Unstable fractures will require surgery.
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 7 SCI pg547
History of car accident with head hitting windshield.
Hangman fracture (C2 burst fracture)
- Usually bilateral from an abrupt deceleration injury
- Most often stable with only transient neurological findings
Management
- External orthosis (Halo is first-line treatment).
- Unstable fracture will require surgery
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 7 SCI pg548
Patient with car accident, was hit from the back leading to hyperextension of neck. Now he complains of neck pain only. What is the resulting injury? is he stable?π
Hyperextension Injury
- Acceleration-deceleration injuries.
- C4βC5 is the most commonly affected level
Result
- Central cord syndrome
Management
- Stable; anterior longitudinal ligament may be disrupted
27yo swimmer with headache and neck pain after jumping practice. What would be the type of fracture? Mechanism of injury?
BURST/COMPRESSION FRACTURES
- Cervical flexion with axial loading
- C5 is the most common compression fracture of the C-spine.
- Stable if ligaments remain intact
- Potential Injury in case of retropulsion of bony fragments
XRAY
- Anterior wedge-shaped-appearing vertebra
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 7 SCI pg541
Hx Car accident came with abdominal pain and weak legs. Spot Diagnosis. Stable or unstable? Treatment?
Chance Fracture
- Transverse fracture of the thoracic or lumbar spine (T12, L1, and L2 levels) from posterior to anterior through the spinous process, pedicles, and vertebral body.
Mechanism
- Acute hyperflexion of the thorax
Management
- Stable fractures and are rarely associated with neurological compromise unless a significant amount of translation occurs.
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 7 SCI pg548
Anterior wedge compression fracture
- Vertebral body compression fracture
- May cause thoracic kyphosis
Mechanism
- Axial compression with or without flexion
Managment
- Spontaneous vertebral compression fractures are stable injuriesβligaments remain intact
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 7 SCI pg548