39 - Radiculopathy Flashcards
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
31 (8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar/sacral, 1 cocygeal)
What level does the spinal cord end?
ends at L1/L2 so do LP at L3/L4
What is the flow of structures after a neuron leaves the spinal cord?
rootlets > roots > MSN > anterior/posterior rami
Where are the roots and trunks of the brachial plexus with respect to teh clavicle?
supraclavitcular
Where are divisions of brachial plexus with respect to the clavicle?
divisions are retroclavicular
Where are cords and branches of the brachial plexus wrt clavicle?
infraclavicular
What are two most common etiologies of radiculopathies?
disk herniations and degenerations
Cervical: = herniated nucleus pulposus (C7>C6) OR spondylosis of C5+C6.
Lumbosacral = HNP at L5/S1
Patient hurts back and has radiculopathy affecting leg. Mother tells him to stay in bed and rest. You say?
momma don’t know shit. quit being a bitch. Avoid bed rest and be as routine as possible.
What is Spurling’s Maneuver?
??
What pattern of motor or sensory loss will you have with radiculopathies?
motor loss along myotomes
sensory loss along dermatomes
What will happen to muscle stretch reflexes in LMN disease?
decreased
What nerve levels are responsible for the anal wink? ;)
S2-S4
What is EDX testing? What is it good for?
asseses sensory nerves + muscle mfibers + myelination status + location + severity.
confirms clinical diagnosis from history and physical.
Not much good by itself though
What is a plexopathy?
LMN lesion in plexus of LMN and peripheral nerves
Ex: median N, ulnar N, radial n entrapment syndromes.
Patient complains of numbness and weakness of thumb, pointer finger, and half of the ring finger. What nerve?
Median nerve loss. Carpal tunnel