Blue Boxes Flashcards
Jefferson’s Fracture
Damage to Atlas C1
Hangman’s Fracture
Damage to Axis C2; traumatic spondylolisthesis which causes displacement of the anterior segment of vertebra on to the inferior vertebra
Spina Bifida Occulta
caused by a failure of the vertebral lamina to close completely which results in the lack of closure of vertebral canal; tuft hair of the L5-S1 segments
Cervical Vertebrae Dislocation
The cervical vertebrae is the easiest sight for dislocation in the vertebral column. The GOOD NEWS is that the vertebral foramen is so LARGE that spinal cord damage is relatively UNLIKELY.
Spondylosis
Involves the calcification of the vertebral body which causes rigidity and pain
Spondylolysis
This is a fracture of the vertebral lamina of a vertebra; problem with the superior articulating facets and inferior articulating facets
Spondylolisthesis
Anterior displacement of the whole vertebral body onto the inferior vertebral segment
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the vertebral canal to the point that it causes compaction of important structures of the spinal cord like spinal nerves, rootlets, etc.
The weird part: parts of the spinal cord will begin to hypertrophy as you go down the spinal cord as well!!!
Age Related: ligamentum flavum will lose the collagen:elastin ratio which causes more rigidity and compression of spinal cord
Lumbar Puncture
Also called a spinal tap, but the trick is to insert between the L3/L4 and L4/L5 vertebrae to pass the chance of damaging spinal cord. The spinal cord ends at L1/L2 area so that is why. You will go through the ligamentum flavum and here a pop when there
Dislocation or Fracture of the Coccyx
from abrupt fall or childbirth; coccygodynia follows coccyx trauma
Abnormal Spine Curvature
Exaggerated Kyphosis= humback
Exaggerated Lordosis= lumbar vertebral column arch
Scoliosis= swaying of vertebrae to the left or the right
Whiplash
excessive tear of the anterior longitudinal ligament as a result of car crash.
Tx for vertebral column fracture
splinting of the anterior longitudinal ligaments EXCEPT when whiplash occurs because you damage this ligament!
**Always keep the patient in hyperextension. Forward pull of anterior longitudinal ligament will keep the vertebral column in place to heal
Disc Herniation
Disc Herniation occurs due to the anulus fibrosis losing the posterior/anterior longitudinal ligaments that keep it in place which causes it to slip out of place and push against spinal cord. Herniations most often occur at L4/L5 and L5/S1
Second Number Rule
The area of the vertebral column slip will effect the 2nd nerve of the vertebraes affected. For example, for L4/L5 it will be Nerve 5 and for C1/C2 will be nerve 2
Back Sprain
Injury caused by the damage of ligaments between the vertebral bones. This is called back sprain and is caused by not exercising before working out.
Back Strain
Excessive stretching of the muscle will cause micro-tears which will cause inflammation and redness at sight; possible muscle spasms
Spinal Cord Injury
The higher up the injury, the worse the disability becomes.
C1-C3= No function below head
C4-C5= no function of limbs, respiration still possible
C6-C8= variable upper limb loss of function
T1-T9= paralysis of both lower limbs
T10-L3= partial walking disabilities
Back Muscle Spasms
Can be caused by a variety of structures:
- fibroskeletal structures
- spinal nerves/spinal roots
- spinal meninges
- synoival joints
“Greenstick” Fracture
clavicle bone fracture; often caused by falling,
-like a glow stick that is half broken
Humerus Fracture
most common site of fracture is the surgical neck of the humerus
Groove of Ulnar Nerve
found on the humerus bone; the groove of the ulnar nerve can be expressed as hitting the “funny bone”
Medial Humeral Epicondyle Fracture
Severe abduction of the extended elbow because many of the flexor muscles attach to the medial epicondyle–> can cause severe abduction
Colle’s Fracture
fracture of the distal end of the radius from breaking a fall; styloid process of the ulna is also broken during this type of fall
Scaphoid Fracture
scaphoid bone is the most common broken carpal bone in the wrist; disconnected from the scaphoid blood supply–> necrosis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This is caused by the inflammation of the flexor retinaculum and this causes the compression of the median nerve which results in parasthesia, anesthesia, and pain
Guyon’s Canal Syndrome
Ulnar Nerve that passes through the pinky side where the pisiform and hamate bones are; pass through the Guyon’s Canal. Causes the Ulnar Nerve to be PINCHED–> loss of sensation and muscle weakness
Boxer’s Fracture
The head of the 5th metacarpal is vulnerable to fracture when an individual punches with a closed fist
Distal Phalange Fracture
Most of the time, this fracture occurs when the distal phalanges or pinky is closed by a door
Glenoid Labrum Tear
individuals repeatedly throwing a ball and the sudden contraction of the biceps brachii m. and occurs in the anterior superior portion
Shoulder Separation
separation by the acromioclavicular joint; it is capable of separating the shoulder with or without the coracoclavicular ligament
Glenohumeral Dislocation
susceptible to dislocation due to its mobility and relative instability; occurs anteriorly and inferiorly
Elbow Dislocation
Ulnar Collateral Ligament is usually torn causing the force to posteriorly dislocate
Students Elbow, Dart Throwers Elbow, miners elbow
Inflammation of the olecranon bursa (bursitis); resulting from excessive friction between the skin and olecranon
Dislocation of Radial Head out of Annular Ligament
“Nurse Maids Elbow”
Radial head of the radius being popped out of the annulus ligament which wraps around it
Bull Rider’s Thumb
a sprain of the lateral collateral ligament of the thumb, injury is common for those who ride bulls
Skier’s Thumb, Game Keeper’s Thumb
Laxity or rupture of BOTH medial and lateral collateral ligaments of the thumb (1st metacarpophalangeal joint)
Mallet “Baseball” Finger
sudden hyperflexion of the distal phalanges (pinky finger) an can cause avulsion of the finger
Synovial “Ganglion” Cyst
irritation of the synovial sheaths can cause accumulation of mucopolysaccharide fluid that can form a painless lump known as synnovial cyst or ganglion cyst.
Duypuytren Contracture
disease resulting in shortening, thickening and fibrosis of palmar aponeurosis and palmar fascia–> results in palmar fasica
thoracic outlet syndrome
abnormality in the cervical rib, asymmetry that can cause ischemia and compression of the arteries. Manifests from a disorder called pectus carnitum which is called “pigeons chest.”
Pectus Excavatum
Sternum depression or “funnel chest” which can compress the heart and cause the heart to shift over
Poland Syndrome
lack of migration of cells in hypomere in the breast region; associated with syndactily,. Absense of pectoralis major and pectoralis minor
Prune Belly Syndrome
lack of migration of cells in hypomere into the interior abdominal wall; partial of complete absence of abdominal musculature
Winging of the Scapula
Serratus Anterior Muscle paralysis usually do to long thoracic nerve paralysis. This makes abducting the upper limb beyond the horizontal position difficult.
Rotator Cuff
Rotator Cuff Muscles: Infraspinatus, Supraspinatus, subscapularis, and the teres minor
Biceps Brachii Tendon Reflex
Biceps Myotactic Reflex is used to test for the musculocutaneous nerve or c5/c6 Anterior Rami Functions
Biceps Tendonitis
repetitive movement of the biceps brachii longhead via the intertubercular groove can cause major inflammation of the tendon
Elbow Tendonitis “ Tennis Elbow”
repetitive use of the extensor forearm muscles will cause “tennis elbow” where the lateral humeral epicondyle gets irritated
Golfer’s Elbow
medial epicondyle of humerus is strained or inflammed
Injury to the Recurrent Branch of the Median Nerve
Recurrent branch of the median nerve is damaged which causes the opponens pollicis which opposed the adduction of the thumb to be closed off
Axillary Artery Aneurysm
Results from the constant throwing with the arm that causes the 1st part of the axillary artery to pool with blood; can cause the compression of the brachial plexus
Scapular Anastomosis
Ligation must be distal to the Subscapular Artery if you want to cut of the blood circulation to the arm.
Anything above the subscapular artery will cause the blood to reach down to the axillary artery another way.
Venipuncture
The median cubital vein is the site for the venipuncture which is in the cubital fossa
Axillary Lymph Nodes
Can be frequently invaded by cancers; so its a good place to check for cancer
Erb-Duchenne Palsy or “Waiter’s Tip Syndrome”
Upper plexus injury; typically affects C5 and C6 Anterior Rami which is caused by dramatically increasing the angle between the neck and the shoulder
“Claw Hand” or Klumpke Paralysis
Injury to the inferior part of the Brachial Plexus which results from dramatic increase in the angle lower trunk and the upper extremity. Can result from pulling the baby by hand up or from the grabbing of a tree branch before falling down. ULNAR NERVE DAMAGE
Compression of Brachial Plexus Cords
Occurs from long periods with the upper trunk above the head of the individual; this can lead to major loss of sensation, tingling of arms, and weakness of the hands
musculocutaneous nerve injury
It will render the anterior brachial muscles paralyzed; usually resulting from the blunt force trauma to the biceps regions
axillary nerve injury
injury results in the atrophy of the deltoid muscle and loss of sensation over the superolateral arm which is given sensation by the superior lateral brachial cutaneous N. exists
Ape’s Hand/ Hand of Bennediction
Loss of 2' LOAFS: 1st 2 Lumbricals Opponens Pollicis M. Abductor Pollicis Brevis M. Flexor Pollicis Brevis M.
***the WHOLE thenar eminence
Ulnar Nerve Injury
Can occur in 3 spots:
1.) posterior to the medial epicondyle
- ) between the ulnar and humeral heads
- ) at the wrist or in the hand
- ) gives Claw Hand symptoms
Ulnar Nerve Compression in Hand
results in “handle bar neuropathy” looks similar to damage at the guyon’s tunnel
injury to the radial nerve
results in wrist drop; impairment of elbow extension and thumb abduction and extension
Osteoporosis
Usually caused by demineralization of the bones
Affects: The vertebral body the metacarpals The radius atrophy of musculature
Herniation of the IV disc (posterolaterally)
Usually caused by the gelatinous nucleus of nucleus polposus that goes out of the spinal cord and causes lower back pain.
This can be caused by either:
- Damage to the lower back via accident causing damage to the anulus fibrosus
-degeneration of the anulus fibrosus because of age
***natural protection is the posterior longitudinal ligament
Laminectomy
The removal of the spinous process and the supporting vertebral lamina around it
