clinical conditions of vertebrae

Question 1

clinical spondylosis

Answer 1

• chronic degenerative osteosrthritis affecting thr intervertebral discs = followed by formations of osteophytes and facet joint osteoarthritis
• narrowing of foramana causes pressure on spinal cord and can cause radiculopathy = dermatomal sensory weakness (pain and parasthesia) and motor function weakness
• if it worsens = degenration of the spinal canal and cause myelopathy = global muscle weakness

Question 2

Jefferson fracture

Answer 2

• fracture of the atlas (C1)
• fracture is between the anterior and posterior arches
• can damage arteries running through

Question 3

hangmans fracture

Answer 3

• fracture of the axial vertebrae (C2) through the pars interarticularis - between the superior and inferior articular processes
• caused by hyperextension of the head
• needs urgent treatment
  *

Question 4

fracture of odontoid process (peg)

Answer 4

• due to hyperhyperextension or flexion
• osteoperosis of elderly

Question 5

whiplash

Answer 5

• forceful hyper extension and hyperflexion injury
• cervicle spine has a high motility so is more unstable
• eg car crash when head goes back and forth
• tearing of cervical muscles and ligaments = odema, hemmorage and soft tissue inflammation
• upper back normally in pain
• arm pain and parasthesia
• can develop chronic myofascial pain syndrme

Question 6

cervicle intervertebral disc prolapse

Answer 6

• compression of nerve roots
• tear in annulous fibrosus = nucleus pulpous propagates and protrudes
• can be spontaneous or due to injury
• exiting nerve root will be compressed but still the higher number

Question 7

hoffmans test for cervicle myelopathy

Answer 7

hold patients middle finger and flick

negative sign (normal):

no movement in the index and thumb finger

positive (abnormal):

movement of the index and thumb

Question 8

cervical myelopathy

Answer 8

• spinal cord compression = dysfunction
• common cause can be do spondylosis and stenosis of the foramen
• devlop with age, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, osteophyte formation
• loss of balance and decreased dexterity (upper cervicle)
• lower cervicle - increase spacisity
  *

Question 9

Babinski sign

Answer 9

lateral side of the foot is stroked

normal:

flex

abnormal:

fan foot out

Question 10

thoracic cord compression

Answer 10

• vertebal fractures
• metastases

Question 11

vertebral osteomyelitis

Answer 11

pathogen reaches the bone either via:

• haematogenous
• through direct inoculation
• spread from adjacent soft tissues

spread of this infection can lead to:

• septic thrombosis =ischemia
• compression of neural elements via and abscess, tumour
• mechanical collapse of bone
• common organisms are staph aureus, gram - bacilli