Back Blue Boxes

Question 1

Jefferson Fracture

Answer 1

Fracture of both arches of the atlas
Usually from diving accident or large object falling onto the head
Does not typically injure spinal cord (Larger vertebral foramen)

Question 2

Hangman’s Fracture

Answer 2

Fracture of the vertebral arch of the axis

Results from hyperextension of head and neck (not whiplash)

Question 3

Fracture of Odontoid Process

Answer 3

Caused by horizontal blow to the head. Will occur because the transverse ligament is stronger than the odontoid process.

These breaks are typically harder to heal b/c of the lack of blood supply to the odontoid process (transverse ligament limits its blood supply)

Question 4

Spina Bifida Occulta

Answer 4

Vertebral lamina fail to fuse and close off the vertebral canal. Most common in L5-S1

Commonly see tuft of hair over this area as well

Question 5

Fracturing of the cervical vertebra: why is it more common than other vertebrae?

Answer 5

Cervical vertebrae have a horizontal articular process

Question 6

How do you name ribs?

Answer 6

Chicken, pork… nah

Named for the vertebrae above it?

Question 7

Spondylosis

Answer 7

Calcification of edges of the vertebral bodies; causes joint pain and stiffness

Question 8

Spondylolysis

Answer 8

Separation of vertebral arch from vertebral body

“Lying (lysis) away from you” Arch and body separate: This is the stupidest pneumonic ever.

Question 9

Spondolisthesis

Answer 9

Anterior displacement of vertebral body on inferior vertebral segment

Question 10

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Answer 10

Narrowing of the Lumbar vertebral foramen

When this condition is further
compounded with Intervertebral Disc bulging, Arthritic Proliferation and Ligamentous
Degeneration the Vertebral Canal is considerably more compromised

Question 11

Lumbar puncture

Answer 11

L3/L4 or L4/L5- perform here to avoid puncturing spinal cord

Pop-occurs when needle passes thru ligamentum flavum

CSF drawn from the arachnoid space

Question 12

Lumbarization

Answer 12

Separation of S1 from sacrum

Question 13

Hemisacralization

Answer 13

Partial or complete incorporation of L5 into sacrum

Question 14

Coccygodynia

Answer 14

Literally translates to pain in the coccyx (tailbone)-hard to treat -maybe throw in some OMM?

Question 15

Primary Curvature of Spine

Answer 15

Thoracic and sacral kyphoses

Question 16

Kyphoses

Answer 16

Humpback of thoracic vertebrae

Question 17

Lordosis

Answer 17

Sway back of lumbar vertebrae

Question 18

Scoliosis

Answer 18

Lateral curvature in spine (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar)

Question 19

Joint of Luschka

Answer 19

Joint between unicate process of inferior vertebra and the inferior surface of the superior vertebra

Question 20

Hyperextension/Whiplash

Answer 20

Overstretching of anterior longitudinal ligament (at front of vertebral body)

Question 21

What do you do for a patient who has had a fracture of the vertebral column?

Answer 21

OMM? NO!

Keep them in hyperextension. Pull of the anterior longitudinal ligament.

Question 22

Herniation

Answer 22

Commonly of the nucleus pulposis through the annular fibrosis

Most common in L4/L5 and L5/S1

Typically occurs posterolaterally where anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments do not support the annular fibrosis

Question 23

Second Number Rule

Answer 23

For the cervical and lumbar regions, the vertebral level at which the
prolapse occurs will affect the spinal nerve with the second number designation.

EX; Injure L4/L5 will affect spinal nerve 5.
EX: Injure C5/6 will affect spinal nerve 6

Question 24

Back Sprain

Answer 24

Injury to ligamentous attachments between bone.

Involves excessive stretching of fibers from overly strong muscle contraction.

Question 25

Spinal cord injuries

Answer 25

C1-C3 (no function below head, respirator needed for life)
C4-C5 (no function of ribs, can breath on their own (quadraplegia)
C6-C8 (Loss of function in hands and upper limbs)
T1-9 (Paralysis of both lower limbs)
T10-L1 (Some thigh muscle function; walking with long leg braces)
L2-L3 (most lower limb function present; can walk with short leg braces)

Question 26

What is the second most common reason people visit a physician?

Answer 26

BACK PAIN

Question 27

Joint pain is the result of what?

Answer 27

Osteoarthritis or disease arthritis

Question 28

Fibroskeletal pain is usually the result of what?

Answer 28

Fractures or dislocations of the ligamentous structures in the back

Question 29

Muscular pain is usually the result of what?

Answer 29

Spasm in muscular tissues producing ischemia