Back & Spine Injuries

Question 1

What is acute low back sprain/strain

Answer 1

muscles surrounding spine are stretched too far or move in ways that cause small tears

Question 2

How txt acute low back sprain/strain

Answer 2

AP/lateral xray
NSAIDs
rest
weight loss
PT

Question 3

Where are most disc herniation

Answer 3

L4-S1

Question 4

What exam for disc herniation

Answer 4

deep tendon reflexes
motor group testing
sensory deficit testing
straight leg raise

Question 5

What clinical signs of disc herniation

Answer 5

sharp, shooting pain in back

30 - 40 yr old

Question 6

What is imaging gold standard for disc herniation

Answer 6

MRI
can get:
MRI myelogram
Ct
EMG

Question 7

How txt disc herniation

Answer 7

self-limiting
short term bed rest
PT
chiropractic
acupuncture
Surgery (last resort)

Question 8

What is spondylosis

Answer 8

arthritis of spine

Question 9

What is spondylolysis

Answer 9

fracture (defect) of pars intrarticularis (veterbral body)

Question 10

What is spondylolisthesis

Answer 10

spondylolysis with vertebrae slipping forward over another

cause narrowing of vertebral canal

Question 11

What are symptoms of spondylolysis

Answer 11

low back pain with activities that extend spine

Question 12

How image spondylolysis

Answer 12

oblique xray
MRI
CT
bone

Question 13

Txt for spondylolysis

Answer 13

rest
bracing ?
PT

Question 14

What is spondylolisthesis also known as

Answer 14

Scotty dog fracture

Question 15

What are causes of vertebral compression fractures

Answer 15

osteoporosis
trauma
infection
tumors

Question 16

How is most likely to get vertebral compression fractures

Answer 16

postmenopausal women

Question 17

dgx vertebral compression fractures

Answer 17

xray
MRI
Ct
bone scan

Question 18

txt vertebral compression fractures

Answer 18

immobilization 6-12 wks
surgery
- balloon kyphoplasty
- surgical stabilization

Question 19

What are types of spine tumors

Answer 19

multiple myeloma
chordoma
osteosarcoma
hemangioma

Question 20

What are the most common types of metastatic lesions in the spine

Answer 20

lung
breast
prostate

Question 21

dgx spine tumors

Answer 21

xray
radionuclide bone scan
MRI
CT biopsy

Question 22

What is spinal stenosis

Answer 22

spinal cord or roots are compressed

Question 23

clinical signs spinal stenosis

Answer 23

pain
tingling
weakness
radiate into butt and legs
worst with standing and walking
"grocery cart" sign

Question 24

spinal stenosis txt

Answer 24

avoid activities or motion
NSAIDs/analgesics
Epidural steroid injections
PT
surgery (last resort but best prognosis)

Question 25

What is a cervical fracture

Answer 25

broken neck of cervical vertibrae

involves muscle sprain, dislocate intervertebral disk, damage to spinal cord

Question 26

cervical fracture txt

Answer 26

medical emergency

• immobilize
• xray, MRI, TC
• soft collar or surgical stabilization w/ halo

Question 27

What is cauda equina syndrome

Answer 27

severe compression on cauda equina

medical emergency - need surgery

Question 28

What causes cauda equina syndrome

Answer 28

tumors/lesions
trauma
spinal stenosis (lumbar)
inflammatory conditions

Question 29

clinical signs cauda equina syndrome

Answer 29

weakness
saddle-anesthesia (numbness/changes groin)
incontinence

Question 30

txt cauda equina syndrome

Answer 30

emergent spinal decompression

Question 31

What is scoliosis

Answer 31

curvature of the spine

Question 32

scoliosis onset

Answer 32

10-15 yrs

Question 33

dgx scoliosis

Answer 33

full-spine xrays (PA/lateral)

Question 34

txt scoliosis

Answer 34

40 degrees = surgical correction