Back and Neck Disorders Stowell Flashcards
What is the MC cause of work disability?
Low back pain
Cause of low back pain
Unable to determine in most cases
70-90% of low back pain cases are:
Nonspecific (aka mechanical)
Majority of low back pain cases resolve within:
4-12 wks
Various causes of low back pain
- Non specific (70%)
- Ortho pathology (25%)
Inflammatory arthritis causing low back pain is often a/w:
HLA-B27
What are examples of orthopedic pathology that can cause low back pain?
- Degenerative changes (OA)
- Disc herniation
- Compression fracture
- Spinal stenosis
- Trauma (fracture)
What clinical factors increase probability of neoplasm causing low back pain?
- Previous history of non-skin cancer
- Age over 50
- Unexplained wt loss
- Failure of conservative tx for LBP
Etiologies of infection causing low back pain?
- Post-traumatic
- Vascular insufficiency (DM)
- Hematogenous seeding (S aureus)
What clinical features suggest ankylosing spondylitis?
- Age less than 40
- Morning stiffness
- Duration more than 3 months
- Symptoms improve w/easy exercise
- Not relieved w/rest
What PE findings can be found with ankylosing spondylitis?
- Sacroiliac tenderness
- Limited chest expansion
- Limited lumbar ROM
Imaging findings of ankylosing spondylitis
- Grading of sacroilitis
- Bamboo sign (fusing of vertebral bodies)
Describe the HLA-B27 gene and its relation to AS
- Normal finding in 8% of Caucasians
- Only 2% of people w/the gene will develop AS
- So it is NOT diagnostic for AS
- Can be a finding though
What abnormal lab is found in 70% of patients with AS?
Elevated ESR
What is cauda equina syndrome (CES)?
- Compression of lower spinal nerve roots
- Impairs motor and sensory function to lower extremities and bladder
- MEDICAL EMERGENCY
What is the MC finding a/w CES?
Urinary retention
What is saddle anesthesia and what is it a/w?
- Unable to feel anything in body areas that sit on a saddle
- A/w CES
Define degenerative joint disease (DJD)
Term used interchangeably with osteoarthritis (OA)
Define degenerative disc disease
- Degenerative changes of disc
- Fissures develop
- Reduced ability to maintain fluid flow (loss of disc height)
- Can be a source of chronic LBP
Define ankylosis
- Joint stiffness d/t disease or surgery
- Union of proximal/distal bones of joint
Describe osteoarthritis
Gradual progression of disc degeneration and articular cartilage mechanical breakdown
What dynamic is altered in OA?
Cartilage/disc fluid (decreased ability to absorb/distribute mechanical stress)
What joint alterations occur with OA?
- Osteophytes (bone spurs)
- Spondylosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Stenosis
- Decreased disc height
Why/how do osteophytes (bone spurs) form in OA?
- Secondary to facet joint dysfunction
- Body’s way of trying to splint or limit use of joint
- Joints above and below will suffer additional/abnormal mechanical forces
Clinical features of OA
- Age over 50
- Gradual onset
- Worse in AM or after prolonged rest
- Relieved w/light activity
MOI for OA
- Prolonged postural activity (painting, gardening)
- Weekend warrior
- Grandparenting syndrome
- Usually not acute trauma
What is the common ROM pattern with OA?
- Extension (side bending) feels worse
- Flexion feels better
What imaging confirms OA?
Plain film x-ray (AP and lat)
How do labs present in OA?
Normal
What is a disc bulge?
- Herniated nucleus pulposa (HNP)
- May or may not compress/stretch a nerve root (asymp or symptomatic)
Define discogenic pain
Nociceptors in disc generate pain to back/LE
If a disc bulge compresses the nerve root, what is produced?
LE radiculopathy