Back and Lower Extremity Exam Flashcards
Stance of the Gait cycle
foot on the ground- weight bearing
Swing of the gait cycle
foot moves forward- non weight bearing
Lumbar Spine Major ROM
Flexion
Extension
Side Bending
Rotation
Muscle Strength Scale : 0
no movement
Muscle Strength Scale : 1
muscle twitch without joint movement
Muscle Strength Scale : 2
movement only with gravity eliminated
Muscle Strength Scale : 3
movement against gravity only
Muscle Strength Scale : 4
movement against gravity + some resistance
Muscle Strength Scale : 5
movement against gravity + full resistance
L4 dermatome
medial side of foot to big toe
L5 dermatome
top of foot and plantar surface
S1 dermatome
lateral foot to little toe
L4 reflex
patellar tendon
S1 reflex
achilles
L4 major motor
anterior tibialis (dorsiflexion)
L5 major motor
extensor hallucis longus (big toe up)
S1 major motor
Gastroc-soleus ( toe raises)
Most common area of injury and source of pain in the low back?
L5
Small Intestine Viscerosomatic Reflex Levels
T10-11
Colon and Rectum Viscerosomatic Reflex Levels
T12-L2
Bladder Viscerosomatic Reflex Levels
T12-L2
Uterus Viscerosomatic Reflex Levels
T12-L2
Prostate Viscerosomatic Reflex Levels
T12-L2
Ovaries/ Testes Viscerosomatic Reflex Levels
T10-11
Why is a disc herniation most common L5-S1?
The posterior longitudinal ligament narrows as it descends- makes herniation easier. Usually one sided- rarely bilateral
Scoliosis
Lateral curvature of the spine
Evaluate the extent and level of curvature
Measure leg lengths in conjunction with scoliosis
(distance from ASIS to medial malleolus)
Spondyloarthritis: axial
Source of chronic low back pain in young people
Associates with uveitis (eye infection), psoriasis, and IBS
Ankylosing Spondylitis
chronic inflammatory disease of spine with progressive stiffening, often involves hips and peripheral inflammatory signs. +HLA-B27
Osteoarthritis
“Degenerative Disc Disease”
Common in lumbar spine, especially at L5-S1 Worse due to being a postural transition point
Deterioration and loss of cartilage and normal bone
Low grade inflammatory issue
Osteoporosis
Thinning of bone
Affects lumbar spine and hips commonly (Dexa Scan)
1:2 women and 1:4 men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis related fracture. Steroids increase risk
Loss of height, Dowager’s hump
Compression fractures cause the pain
Sciatica- causes
Lumbar radiculopathy or peripheral nerve compression
Sciatic nerve roots
L4, L5, S1, S2, S3
Sciatica- symptoms
Pain unilateral from L5, through buttock, down lateral leg to the lateral foot.
Often shooting; worse with sitting or Valsalva
Sciatica Straight Leg Raise Test
Raise leg- if this reproduces the pain, lower leg just to the point of no pain and then dorsiflex the foot. If pain is reproduced = sciatic nerve pain.
Most commonly positive if found between angles 40-60 degrees
What motion provides the most sensitive exam for pathology of the hip?
internal and external rotation
Complaint of lateral hip pain?
Check trochanteric bursa
Trendelenberg Test- what does it evaluate?
Gluteus Medius- keeps the hips stable during the gait cycle
Trendelenberg Test- procedure
Observe PSIS dimples standing on both legs
Next have patient stand on one leg
Gluteus medius on the standing leg should contract keeping the pelvis level (negative test = normal)
If the pelvis cannot remain level, the gluteus medius is weak on the standing leg side.
Thomas Test- what does it evaluate?
Psoas muscle dysfuntion.
(For flexion contractures of the hip due to tight Psoas (Iliopsoas))
“Thomas has a tight illiopsoas: