Cortex Spine and Paediatric Orthopaedics Flashcards
describe an acute disc tear, its symptoms and management
a tear in the outer annulus fibrosis of an intervertebral disc
classically happens after lifting heavy object
periphery of disc highly innervated so pain can be severe- characteristically worse on coughing
symptoms last for 2-3 months, analgesia and physio treatment
where is the most common site for a disc tear with disc material impinging on exiting nerve root to occur
L4,5 and S1- sciatica
describe sciatic pain
neuralgic burning or severe tinging, radiating down the back of the thigh to below the knee
what tests can you do to prove sciatica
sciatic nerve stretch test
cross over sign- sciatic test on other side produces pain on affected side
what pattern of symptoms will an L3/4 prolapse produce
L4 root entrapment, pain down to medial ankle, loss of quadriceps power, reduced knee jerk
what pattern of symptoms will an L4/5 prolapse produce
L5 root entrapment, pain down dorsum of foot, reduced power to the extensor hallucis longus and tibialis anterior
what pattern of symptoms will an L5/S1 prolapse produce
S1 root entrapment, pain to the sole of the foot, reduced power plantarflexion, reduced ankle jerks
what is a radiculpathy
impinged nerve
what is the management for a disc prolapse
analgesia, maintain mobility, physio
mane a drug that can be used for severe neuropathic pain
gabapentin
what surgery might be indicated in severe or non improving cases of a disc prolapse
discectomy
in OA of the facet joints what can impinge on nerve roots- what is a possible surgical management
osteophytes- surgical depression, trimming of the osteophytes
what is ligamentum flavum
ligament that connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae from C2 to S1
what spinal stenosis
narrowing of the spinal canal cause root ischaemia and neurogenic claudication
what can cause spinal stenosis of the cauda equina
bulging discs, bulging ligamentum flavum, osteophytosis
who gets spinal stenosis
usually over 60s
how is neurogenic claudication different from vascular
claudication distance more inconsistant
pain is burning rather than cramps
pain in less walking uphill
pedal pulses are preserved
what surgery can be done if conservative treatment for spinal stenosis (physio and weight loss) doesnt help
decompression
what cause cauda equina syndrome
a very large central disc prolapse that compresses all nerve roots of the cauda equina
why is cauda equina syndrome a surgical emergency
as sacra nerves affected (S4 and 5) controlling defaecation and urination- prolonged compression can cause permanent nerve damage= colostomy, urinary diversion
what is the treatment for cauda equina syndrome
urgent MRI to determine the level of the prolapse
urgent discectomy
what are the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome
bilateral leg pain, paraesthesia/ numbness, saddle anaesthesia, altered urinary function (urinary retention/ incontinence) or faecal incontinence and constipation
what is considered negligence in cauda equina syndrome
not doing a rectal exam
despite surgery, many patients with CA syndrome still have what
residual nerve injury with permanent bladder and bowel dysfunction