Back pain Flashcards
What is vertebral osteomyelitis
Infection of the vertebra
Risk factors of vertebral osteomyelitis
People who inject drugs
Diabetes
GI infections
Infective endocarditis
UTi
Post operative
Cause of vertebral osteomyelitis
Haematogenous spread of infection from distant infections
Most common causative pathogen of vertebral osteomyelitis
S aureus
Complications of vertebral osteomyelitis
Vertebrae collapse -> kyphosis or flat vertebra
Symptoms of vertebral osteomyelitis
Insidious onset of Constant lumbar pain
Signs of vertebral osteomyelitis
Spinal tenderness
Paraspinal muscle spasm
Neuropathy (in severe case)
Investigations for vertebral osteomyelitis
Bloods - CRP
MRI
Blood cultures
Management of vertebral osteomyelitis
- CT guided biopsy
- High dose IV antibiotics
- Surgery if indicated
The response of vertebral osteomyelitis to IV antibiotics is assessed by
Clinical
CRP level
When is surgery indicated
No response to antibiotic therapy
Vertebral collapse
Neurological deficit
Surgical management for vertebral osteomyelitis
Debridement
Stabilization
Fusion of adjacent vertebrae
What is Pott disease
Vertebral osteomyelitis + intervertebral disci tis from TB
Risk factors
Immunosuppression
Skin and soft tissue infection
pulmonary TB
Symptoms of Pott disease
- Often no systemic symptoms
- Back pain
- Lower limb weakness/paraplegia
- Kyphotic deformity
Onset of symptoms of Pott disease
Insidious, slow
Investigations for Pott disease
Xray / MRI
check for immunosuppression / HIV
Management for Pott disease
TB treatment
Analgesia
Surgery
Describe TB treatment
isoniazid + rifampicin + ethambutol + pyrazinamide for 2 months
Isoniazid + rifampicin for another 4 months
What is mechanical back pain
Recurrent relapsing and remitting back pain with no neurological symptoms
Risk factors for mechanical back pain
20-55
Obese
Poor posture
Poor lifting technique
Lack of physical activity
Depression
Spondylosis
Degenerative disc prolapse
What is spondylosis
intervertebral discs lose water with age causing less cushioning and increased pressure on the facet joints
Spondylosis can cause
secondary facet joint OA
Symptoms of mechanical back pain
Pain in lumbosacral region, buttocks and thighs
Mechanical pain - worse at activity, at night
No red flag symptoms
Flare ups
Where is the pain in mechanical back pain felt at
Lumbosacral region
buttocks
thighs
(rarely below knee)