Blue Boxes 1: Deep Back Flashcards
What are the most common areas affected by Osteoporosis?
Vertebral bodies, neck of the femur, metacarpals, and the radius
What does a radiograph of vertebral bodies with osteoporosis look like?
In early stage the vertebral bodies will appear to have striations.
As it progresses the inner spongy bone of the bodies appears more translucent than normal due to demineralization.
Late osteoporosis results in what type of back shape deformity?
Kyphosis of the thoracic vertebra.
What is a Laminectomy?
Surgical excision of spinous processes and the adjacent supporting Laminae.
ie –> removing the vertebral arch by cutting the pedicles
What surgical procedure is often used to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots cause by a tumor, herniated IV disc, or bony hypertrophy.
Laminectomy
Which type of vertebrae can be dislocated more easily than fractured?
Cervical
They may dislocate and then come back into place so its easy to miss soft tissue damage, without an MRI
What specific vertabrae is easily fractured by vertical forces to the neck? like a diving accident
atlas C1
What is a Jefferson’s or burst fracture?
Fracture of the atlas anterior and/or posterior arches
A traumatic spondylolysis of C2 usually occurs as a result of what injury? What part of the bone usually fractures?
Hyperextension of the head on the neck
Pars Interarticularis
What is a nickname for a fracture of the pars interarticularis of C2?
Hangman’s fracture
What is a lumbar spinal stinosis?
Narrowing of the vertebral foramen in one or more lumbar vertebrae
What is thoracic outlet syndrome and what is a common cause?
It is a narrowing of the superior thoracic aperture that is often caused by a cervical rib. This can put pressure on the subclavian artery or inferior truck of the brachial plexus.
Where would you place an epidural anesthetic?
Into the fat of the sacral canal that lies beneath the sacrococcygeal ligament. Acts on the nerves of the cauda equina
What are the bony landmarks for finding the location of the sacral hiatus to place and epidural?
Between the sacral cornua and inferior to the S$ spinous process.
Coccygodynia is a painful syndrome that results from trauma to what bone?
Coccyx
When L5 is sacralized, what often happens to the L4 - L5 level?
It degenerates, often producing painful symptoms
What happens to vertebrae as they age?
There is an overall decrease in bone density and strength, particularly centrally withing the vertebral body. The articular surfaces start to bow inward and look concave.
Why do osteophytes (bone spurs) commonly develop around the periphery margins of the vertebral body?
Because there is more pressure on the body periphery due to aging of the IV discs combined with the changing shape of the vertebrae.
What is spina bifida?
The neural arches of L5 and/or S1 fail to develop normally and fuse posterior to the vertebral canal.
What often indicates the location of spina bifida?
A patch of hair
What is a meningomyelocele?
Severe spina bifida associated with a meningeal cyst and/or a herniation of the spinal cord.
Severe forms of spina bifida result from what?
Neural tube defects during development
What happens to IV discs as they age?
The nuclei pulposi dehydrate and lose elastin and proteoglycans while gaining collagen. This causes them to lose their turgor, becoming stiffer and more resistant to deformation.
Why do people lose height as they age?
Bodies of vertebrae break down and become concave
Do IV discs increase or decrease in size as you age?
Increase
What does herniation mean?
Protrusion
What is the nuclei pulposi primarily comprised of?
Water 90%
A herniated IV disc is inappropriately called a _____ by some people?
Slipped disc
Where do herniations of the nucleus pulposus usually happen?
Extend posterolaterally where the anulus fibrosus is relatively thin and does not recieve support from either the posterior or anterior longitudinal ligaments.
What causes the referred pain of a herniated disc?
compression of the spinal nerves
What usually causes the localized pain of a herniated disc?
Pressure on the longitudinal ligaments
Where do about 95% of lumbar disc protrusions occur?
L4 - L5 or L5 - S1