Clinical Boxes Flashcards
fractures, injuries, conditions
Spondylosis
- degeneration of jt, involves calcification
- local pain and stiffness
Spondylolysis
- involves fracture (lamina of pedicle, part of arch)
- seperation of vertebral arch from body
Spondylolesthesis
fracture w/ spondylolysis and now vertebrae is displaced
Jefferson Fracture:
Where does it occur?
Causes?
- fracture on posterior or anterior arch
1. vertical compressive force on occipital condyles (blow to head, diving)
2. C1 squeezes laterally
*fracture alone won’t hurt spinal cord, only if transverse ligament has been ruptured, the Odontoid process could injure spinal cord
-
Hangmans Fracture
Where does it occur?
Causes?
- fracture of pars interarticularis
- hyperextension of head
Dens fracture Type 1
superficial dens
*in dens fractures, transverse ligament breaks. if dens breaks at base, it won’t heal bc transverse ligament cuts off blood. if dens breaks inferior to bone (type 1), more likely to heal
Dens Fracture Type 2
fracture of the base of the dens
Dens Fracture Type 3
fracture includes the dens and part of the AXIS body
Spinda bifida occulta
Causes ?
Symptoms?
- developmental abnormality in which verterbral lamina L5-S1 FAIL to fuse
- may occur without any apparent clinical features or presence of hair tuft over defect
Spina bifida cystica
Causes?
What are the types?
- failure of one or more vertebrae to close completely AND neural tissue and meninges problem
(meningocele): meninges bulges out
(myelomeningocele): spinal cord and meninges bulge
(could cause motor or sensory defecits
myelocele: spinal cord exposed to environment
Where do you perform a lumbar puncture?
L3/L4
or
L4/L5
Whiplash:
What is the injury?
Causes?
- tearing of the anterior longitudinal ligament
- Hyperextension from car accident or excessive stretch
Herniation
What is it?
Where does it commonly occur?
- protrusion of nucleus pulposis due to herniation of annulus fibrosis, ruptures posterolaterally
- common at L4/5 or L5/S1 (b/c discs are larger and more mobile)
*seconday rule
Why is cervical dislocation less likely to happen?
presence of large vertebral foramen decreases likelihood of dislocation
Where does lumbar puncture take place?
Why?
What structures must the needle pass?
- L3-4 or L4-5
- spinal cord stops at L2
ORDER:
skin,
fat
thoracolumbar aponeurosis
supraspinous ligament
interspinous ligament
ligamentum flavuum
epidural space (has internal vertebral venous plexus),
dura,
arachnoid,
subarachnoic space (CSF here)
Describe a back spain
- injury to ligaments
- usually bc of inadequate stretching
Describe a back strain
- involves muscle
- tearing of muscle fibers produced by an overly strong muscular contraction, excessive stretching
Name the spinal cord injury:
no function below the head
C-1-C3
Name the spinal cord injury?
no fxn of limbs, respiration capable
C4-5
Name the spinal cord injury?
loss of hand and upper limb fxn
C6-C8
Name the spinal cord injury?
paralysis of both lower limbs
T1-T9
name the spinal cord injury?
some thigh function, may walk with LONG leg brace
T10-T11
name the spinal cord injury?
limb fxn present, may walk with SHORT leg brace
L2-3
Common cause of muscular pain?
spasm of muscular tissue producing ischemia