Back Pain Flashcards
What are the differen types of back pain?
Viscerogenic (abdomen) Spondylogenic (joints and muscles) Discogenic (IV disc) Neurogenic (nerve root) Psychoenic
What can cause viscerogenic pain?
Peptic ulcer disease Gallbladder Pancreas Renal Uterine/ ovarian Colonic AAA
What needs to be assessed in back pain?
SOCRATES
What type of pain is nerve root leg pain?
SCIATICA Dermatomal Sharp, shooting pain Goes below the knee to the foot and ankle Anatomical sensory/motor symptoms
What type of leg pain does referred leg pain from facet joints cause?
Non specific Dull pain Common in buttocks and thigh Never below knee Ill-defined sensory symptoms
What neurological symptoms will back pain cause?
Bowel and urinary incontinence Bilateral or unilateral leg symptoms Paraesthesia Numbness Weakness
What features are red flags in back pain?
Non-mechanical pain Thoracic pain PH - carcionoma, steroids, HIV Systemic upset Major, new neurological deficit Saddle anaesthesia +/- bladder or bowel upset
What spinal pathologies can cause back pain?
OA can cause wedge fractures
Tumours - primary myeloma or mets
Infection - destruction of vertebrae and pus
Ankylosing spondylitis
What cancers commonly metastasise to the spine?
Bad Boys Pee Through Kidneys
Breast, Bronchus, Prostate, Thyroid, Kidney
What are the different types of disc prolapse?
Prolapsed (still contained within the posterior ligament)
Extruded
Sequestrated
How can large vertebral canal cause back pain?
Stretched annulus/ posteiror long ligament
How can small vertebral canals cause back pain?
Root compression causes release of inflammatory mediators
Root pain and tension signs
Where will sacroiliac joint pain refer to?
Buttock, back of thighs and facet joints in spine
What is spondylolisthesis?
Spondylolisthesis is a slipping of vertebra that occurs, in most cases, at the base of the spine
What is spondylolysis?
Defect or stress fracture in the pars interarticularis of the vertebral arch. The vast majority of cases occur in the lower lumbar vertebrae (L5)
What should be examined in a back pain exam?
Observation Range of movement Neruological assessment Nerve root irritation Distraction testing
What nerves allow for hip flexion?
L1/2
What nerves allow for knee extenion?
L3/4