Back Anatomy and Management of a Slipped Disc Flashcards
What is non-specific low back pain?
pain not due to any specific or underlying disease that can be found
What is mechanical low back pain?
pain after abnormal stress and strain on the vertebral column
What is nerve root pain (sciatica)?
pain radiating to the lower limbs with or without neuralgic symptoms
What are the most common cause of low back pain?
- mechanical (90%)
- tumour including myeloma
- infection
- spondyloarthropathy
- pars interarticularis injury
- compression fracture
- visceral
What is the current NICE guidance for imaging low back pain?
- don’t routinely offer imaging at GP level
-
What is the current NICE guidance for managing low back pain?
- injections
- exercise
- manipulation
- psychological therapy
- NSAIDs
- weak opioids
- radiofrequency denervation
- epidural
What are the conservative treatment options of low back pain?
- analgesia
- anti-infloammatory drugs
- manipulation
- acupuncture
- massage
- time
What are the red flag symptoms associated with low back pain?
- weight loss
- fever
- night pain
- under 19yo
What are the red flag symptoms associated with leg pain?
- bowel or bladder dysfunction
- saddle anaesthesia
- profound neurological deficit
What is the impact metastases on the spinal cord?
risk of catastrophic fractura and paralysis
How do metastases look on an MRI?
darkening/blackening of the spinal cord
How does inflammatory arthropathy look on an MRI?
lightening/whitening of the spinal cord
How can you manage inflammatory arthropathy?
biologics with early diagnosis
what is inflammatory arthropathy?
an inflammatory disease occuring in the enthesis
What should be done in someone Under 35 and 3 months of pain?
whole spine MRI
