Back Blue Boxes Flashcards
Understanding disease/pathological states resulting from problems in back osteology, arthrology, angiology, neurology, or myology.
Jefferson Fracture
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)
Hangman’s Fracture
Fracture of the vertebral arch of the axis
Results from hyperextension of head and neck (not whiplash)
Fracture of Odontoid Process
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)
Spina Bifida Occulta
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
Fracturing of the cervical vertebra: why is it more common than other vertebrae?
Cervical vertebrae have a horizontal articular process
How do you name ribs?
Chicken, pork… nah
Named for the vertebrae above it?
Spondylosis
Calcification of edges of the vertebral bodies; causes joint pain and stiffness
Spondylolysis
Separation of vertebral arch from vertebral body
“Lying (lysis) away from you” Arch and body separate: This is the stupidest pneumonic ever.
Spondolisthesis
Anterior displacement of vertebral body on inferior vertebral segment
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
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
Lumbar puncture
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
Lumbarization
Separation of S1 from sacrum
Hemisacralization
Partial or complete incorporation of L5 into sacrum
Coccygodynia
Literally translates to pain in the coccyx (tailbone)-hard to treat -maybe throw in some OMM?
Primary Curvature of Spine
Thoracic and sacral kyphoses
Kyphoses
Humpback of thoracic vertebrae
Lordosis
Sway back of lumbar vertebrae
Scoliosis
Lateral curvature in spine (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar)
Joint of Luschka
Joint between unicate process of inferior vertebra and the inferior surface of the superior vertebra
Hyperextension/Whiplash
Overstretching of anterior longitudinal ligament (at front of vertebral body)
What do you do for a patient who has had a fracture of the vertebral column?
OMM? NO!
Keep them in hyperextension. Pull of the anterior longitudinal ligament.
Herniation
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
Second Number Rule
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
Back Sprain
Injury to ligamentous attachments between bone.
Involves excessive stretching of fibers from overly strong muscle contraction.
Spinal cord injuries
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)
What is the second most common reason people visit a physician?
BACK PAIN
Joint pain is the result of what?
Osteoarthritis or disease arthritis
Fibroskeletal pain is usually the result of what?
Fractures or dislocations of the ligamentous structures in the back
Muscular pain is usually the result of what?
Spasm in muscular tissues producing ischemia
