3.5.2 Non-Surgical Approaches to Low Back Pain Flashcards
What are the different anatomical components of the back?
Joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, discs
How many thoracic vertabrae are there?
12
What are the primary joints of the spine?
Zygoaphophyseal/facet joints
Describe the type of joint, motion, and innervation of the zygoapophyseal/facet joints.
Synovial, gliding motion, medial branch of nerve
Forming by superior and inferior articular processes
What are the weight bearing joints of the spine?
Intervertebral joints
What are the two components of the vertebral disc?
Annulus fibrosis - innervated
Nucleus puplosis (what herniates in a disc hernation) - not invervated but can push on nerves
Id these ligaments
What type of motion is mediated by superficial spinal muscles? Deep spinal motions?
Superficial: Power muscles
Deep: segmental stability muscle
What is the gold standard for diagnosing low back pain?
Clinical exam (not imaging)
What is the term for the CNS amplifying pain due to spinal dysfunction/pain?
Central sensitization
What happens to the nucleus and the annulus during disc degeneration?
Nucleus dries out
Annulus becomes too mobile
What occurs in a disc herniation?
A break in the annulus fibrosis with subsequent migration of the nucleus puplosis
What is the term for pain and numbness due to the nucleus pushing on a spinal root?
Radiculopathy
What are the symptoms with radiculopathy?
Increase pain w/ forward flexion, sitting/driving, cough/sneeze
Decrease pain w/ lying supine, unloading spine, standing
What is the term for acute pain from entrapment of displaced intra-articular meniscoid?
acute facet lock
Spondylolis: fracture of pars interarticularis without slippage
Spondylothesis: fracture with anterior displacement
What is spinal stenosis?
What is the classic symptom of spinal stenosis?
Muscle spasms at night (especially the calf)
What is the classic symptom of cancer in the back?
Persistent night pain
What is the required treatment for cauda equina?
Surgical intervention within 24-48 hrs
What are the signs and symptoms of cauda equina?
What is the term for decreased pain with herniation?
Centralization
Fill in this chart
