Clinical Notes of the Back Flashcards
What is a Jefferson/burst fracture?
a blow to the top of the head from a falling object or accident can fracture both arches of the Atlas. will not typically injure spinal cord unless Transverse L of Atlas is ruptured
What is a Hangman’s fracture?
a fracture of Axis usually by hyperextension of the head on the neck.
A horizontal blow to the head can cause a fracture where in the Axis?
Odontoid process
What is spina bifida occulta?
a developmental abnormality in which the vertebral lamina fail to fuse and close off the vertebral canal. usually occurs at L5 and SI.
What is spina bifida cystica?
if spina bifida occulta incorporates into neural tissue and meninges
Why is it easier to dislocate cervical vertebrae?
Because the articulating facets of cervical vertebrae are more horizontal than the other vertibrae. but because of the large vertebral foramen, this does not usually lead to spinal cord injury.
What is spondylosis?
a degenerative joint disease which involves calcification of the edges of the vertebral body and can cause localized pain and stiffness.
what is spondylolysis?
separation of the vertebral arch from the vertebral body
what is spondylolisthesis?
anterior displacement of the vertebral body on the inferior vertebral segment. can occur secondarily to spondylolysis
What is lumbar spinal stenosis?
a narrowing of the lumbar vertebral foramen. it can compress spinal nerve roots
What is a lumbar puncture and where is the needle inserted?
it is a diagnostic procedure for evaluating a variety of central nervous system disorders. a needle is inserted between either L3/L4 or L4/L5 at the level of the iliac crests
What is sacrilization/hemisacrilization?
the complete or partial incorporation of the L5 vertebral segment into the sacrum
What is Lumbarization?
the separation of the S1 vertebra from the sacrum. S1 becomes L6
What is Coccygodynia?
a condition that causes pain in the tailbone usually follows coccygeal trauma (dislocation or fracture)
What is a back sprain?
an injury to the ligamentous attachments between bone because of inadequate stretching
What is a back strain?
tearing of muscle fibers produced by an overly strong muscle contraction
Why should a patient be kept in hyperextension after a fracture of the vertebral column?
because the anterior longitudinal ligament can help realign fragments of bone and keep further injury of the spinal cord from occurring
What is herniation?
a bulging of the nucleus pulposes and annulus fibrosis posterolaterally (the annulus fibrosis receives no support from the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments)
Where is herniation most common?
L4/L5 and L5/S1
What is the second number rule?
for the cervical and lumbar regions, the vertebral level at which the prolapse occurs will affect the spinal nerve with the second number designation (a prolapse at c5/c6 will affect spinal nerve 6)
What are the three most common back pain causes?
muscular, joint and fibroskeletal pain
