Cervical Spine Flashcards
Can spondylosis occur in cervical vertebra and if so where would the pain radiate?
Yes.
Pain can radiate locally to shoulder and back of the head.
What is the mainstay of treatment for cervical spondylosis?
Physiotherapy and analgesics
When is surgery indicated in spondylosis?
If there are osteophytes impinging exiting nerve routes resulting in severe symptoms.
decompression surgery may be required.
What are the symptoms of a cervical disk prolapse?
Shooting neuralgic pain down a dermatome.
Weakness and loss of reflex.
Which disks are generally involved?
Generally the lower nerve roots.
What root would be affected in a C6/7 disc prolapse?
C7 root
What surgery may be considered if symptoms are unremitting and severe?
Discectomy
Why should MRI finding be correlated to clinical findings?
As many older patients have asymptomatic prolapses.
What are people with down syndrome at an increased risk of?
Atlanto axial C1/C2 instability resulting in spinal chord compression?
In minor cervical spine instability what is advised?
Remove high impacts and contact sports from life.
What is required in severe cervical spine instability?
Surgical stabilisation.
Why does Atlanta-axial subluxation occur in patients with RA?
Destruction of synovial joint and ruptured transverse ligament.
What method is used to take measurements in cervical spine instability?
flexion-extension X-ray
