Back And Neck Pain Flashcards
Back symptoms are the most common cause of disability in those ____ years old
___% of persons will have back pain at some point in their lives
70%
Tough cartilaginous ring that surrounds central gelatinous nucleus pulposus which composes the intervertebral disks
Annulus fibrosis
Intervertebral Disk are responsible for ___% of spinal length and allow the bony vertebrae to move easily upon each other
25%
Intervertebral disk are made of
Nucleus pulposus surrounded by a tough cartilaginous ring , the annulus fibrosis
Where the disks are largest and movement is greatest
Cervical and lumbar regions
Absorbs the shock of the bodily movements such as walking and running
Anterior spine
- Protects the spinal cord and nerve roots in the spinal canal
- consists of vertebral arches and processes
Posterior spine
Pain sensitive structure of the spine
- Periosteum of the vertebrae
- Dura
- Facet joints
- annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disks
- Epidural veins and arteries
- Longitudinal ligaments
Most frequent causes of back pain
RADICULOPATHY Fracture Tumor Infection Referred pain from visceral structures
Is a common cause of neck, arm, low back, buttocks and leg pain
Nerve root injury (RADICULOPATHY )
Caused by injury to pain sensitive structures that compress or irritate sensory nerve endings
The site of pain is near the affected part of the back
Local pain
Pain that may arise from the abdominal or pelvis visceral primarily accompanied by back pain and usually
UNAFFECTED BY POSTURE
Pain referred to the back
Pain may be located in the back or referred to the buttocks or legs
Pain of spine origin
Pain tend to refer pain to the lumbar region, groin or anterior thighs
Diseases affecting the upper lumbar spine
Diseases that tend to produce pain referred to the buttocks, posterior thighs, calves or feet.
Diseases affecting the lower lumbar region
Pain that is typically sharp and radiates from the low back to a leg within the territory of a nerve root
RADICULAR PAIN
In radicular pain, pain may increase in postures that stretch out nerves and nerve roots. Sitting with the legs outstretched places traction on the _____ and ____ because the nerve passes to the _____
- Sciatic nerve, L5 and S1 roots
2. Posterior to the hip
Burning or electric quality of pain favors:
Referred pain or Radiculopathy
RADICULOPATHY
Diseases that have referred back pain upon palpating of the abdomen
Pancreatitis and abdominal aorta aneurysm
An electrical shock down the spine with neck flexion, suggesting involvement of the spinal cord
LHERMITTE’S SIGN
Motor vehicle accidents, violent crimes or falls account for ___% of cervical spinal cord injuries
87%
Canadian C spine rule recommends imaging following neck trauma to patients who are
> 65 years old
Limb paresthesia
Dangerous mechanism for injury ( diving accident, bicycle collision with tree or parked car, fall from height >3ft or five stairs)
Diagnostic procedure of choice for detection of acute fractures following severe trauma in cervical spine
CT SCAN
Preferred diagnostics when traumatic injury to the vertebral arteries or cervical spinal cord is suspected
MRI with magnetic resonance angiography
Rapid flexion and extension of the neck usually during automobile accidents
Whiplash injury
___% of persons reporting whiplash injury acutely have persistent neck pain 1 year later
50%
Imaging of the cervical spine is useful when symptoms persist for
> 6 weeks following the injury
Extension and lateral rotation of the neck narrow the ipsilateral intervertebral foramen and may produce radicular symptoms
SPURLING’S Sign
Herniated cervical disks are responsible for __% of cervical radiculopaties
25%
May produce neck pain that radiates into the back of the head, shoulders or arms or maybe source of headaches in the posterior occipital region supplied by C2-C4 nerve roots
Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine / cervical spondylosis
In cervical spondylosis, _____ is the study of choice to define anatomical abnormalities of soft tissues in the cervical regions including the spinal cord.
MRI
But CT SCAN is adequate to assess bony Spurs, foraminal narrowing, lateral recess stenosis or OPLL.
Synovitis of the atlantoaxial joint c1 and c2, may damage the transverse ligaments of the atlas, producing forward displacement of the atlas on the axis
Atlantoaxial subluxation
Radiological evidence of atlantoaxial subluxation occurs in ___% of RA patients
30%
Rheumatoid arthritis in atlantoaxial subluxation
imaging modality of choice
MRI
Neck pain and less commonly atlantoaxial subluxation
Ankylosing spondylosis
Presents as acute posterior occipital or neck pain prior to outbreak of vesicles
Acute herpes zoster
Neck pain referred from the heart with coronary artery ischemia
CERVICAL ANGINA SYNDROME
Thoracic outlet contains:
Fist rib The subclavian artery and vein Brachial plexus The clavicle Lung apex
Is an uncommon disorder resulting from compression of the lower trunk of the brachial plexus or ventral rami of them C8 or T1 nerve roots
True neurogenic thoracic outlet syndromes ( TOS)
Cause most often by an anomalous band of tissue connecting an elongate transverse process at c7 with the first rib
True neurogenic thoracic outlet syndromes ( TOS)
Signs include weakness and wasting of the intrinsic muscle of the hand and diminished sensation on the palmar aspect of the fifth digit
True neurogenic thoracic outlet syndromes ( TOS)
Absence of ankle reflexes can be a normal finding in persons older than age ___ years
60 years or a sign of bilateral S1 radiculopathy