Back Pain and ergonomics

Question 1

Symptoms of back pain

Answer 1

Incontinence
Impaired balance
Leg weakness and /or numbness
Back pain affects 12-33% of adults
11% report limitations with daily routine

Question 2

Chronic back pain

Answer 2

3 months or longer in pain. not acute

Question 3

recurrent pain

Answer 3

recurrent episodes of back pain. not sure what the difference is between chronic pain but some doctors will use these words.

Question 4

Radiculopathy

Answer 4

when the nerve root is impinged. like sciatica

Nerve compression as nerve leaves the spine
Cervical or lumbar regions
Repetitive strain, contact sports, sedentary habits and routines
Pain, numbness or tingling

Question 5

Spinal stenosis

Answer 5

narrowing of the spinal farima typically related to arthritis. sometimes bone calicifations can occur and rub on the nerves and cause pain and numbness.

Question 6

Facet arthropathy

Answer 6

inflammation or arthritis in the structures of the facets

Question 7

Spondylosis

Answer 7

age related degenerative, can include compression of the disc (especially lumbar) related to arthritis and osteophyte formation. can impinge nerves, artery, veins and soft tissue structrues

Question 8

Spondylolisthesis

Answer 8

when one of the lumbar vertibrae slips and slides over another. More pain with extension.

Question 9

Herniated disc

Answer 9

nucleaus pulpusis or outer layer of disc between the vertebrae the disc fluid starts to seep out. buldge can be small or big.

Question 10

Compression FX

Answer 10

can happen from impact. The person may not even know they had it.

Question 11

non specific low back pain

Answer 11

it is a symptom not a diagnosis. sometimes the team has to do a bunch of tests to figure out what’s going on.

Question 12

The medical management of low back pain

Answer 12

often narcotics or anti-inflammatory drugs to lessen inflammation so the patient can keep moving.

Question 13

lumbar laminectomy

Answer 13

fairly common surgery. they remove part of the lamina of 1-3 vertibrae. that will allow access to the spine so they can clean out arthritis and then they fuse the spine back together

Question 14

spinal fusion

Answer 14

put in rods to keep things in place. it minimizes ROM in that section. Bone will grow into the hardware

Question 15

disectomy

Answer 15

where the disc is removed

Question 17

4-12 weeks post surgery depending on surgeon and procedure

Answer 17

Log roll
take pain meds as required/
Avoid same position for more than 30 minutes
Walk daily
No bending or picking up > 10 lb
No lifing about shoulders (cervical surgery)
No vacuuming, sweeping , housework for at least 3 weeks
No driving until medically cleared
No strenuous activity for 10 weeks

Question 18

OT Assessment of Low back pain

Answer 18

ADL - AmPac or Barthel

Motor function - strength, ROM, fine motor (pinch, dyno, 9 hole peg, box and blocks)

Sensation - not with trunk, just UE

functional mobility - can they roll in bed, scoot up, scoot down. sit to stand. on and off toilet in and out of shower.

pain - how much pain, when it occurs. is it constant? what relieves it? ice? tens?

endurance -

Environment - look at home and see if there are any barriers.

explore habits, routines and life roles - What do they want to get back to doing?

Question 19

Work station assessment - Rapid office strain assessment ROSA

Answer 19

Score of 5 or > is high risk and requires intervention
Assesses workstations
Office chairs
Monitor placement
Mouse position phone use
Upper limb movement back support

Question 20

intervention for back pain and post op back pain - acute care hospital.

Answer 20

bed mobility, ADLs - eating and toileting. showering is not top priority.