Diseases in the back

Question 1

What is a jefferson’s fracture?

Answer 1

A fracture to the vertebral arches of C1 vertebra (Atlas) that usually is a result of a blow to the top of the head. This is also known as a burst fracture.

Question 2

Will a jefferson fracture result in spinal cord injury? why or why not?

Answer 2

It usually will not since the canal is very wide in that area but if there is a rupture to the transverse L with the odontoid process there could be injury

Question 3

What is a hangman’s fracture?

Answer 3

A fracture to the vertebra arch of the C2 vertebra (axis)- usually as a result of a hyperextension of the head on the neck

Question 4

What can occur if there is a horizontal blow to the head?

Answer 4

There can a fracture to the base of the odontoid process of c2.

Question 5

What is spina bifida occulta?

Answer 5

When the vertebral lamina fails to fuse and close off the vertebral canal. Occurs generally at L5 and S1 but can go undetected. There will occasionally be a tuft of hair seen at the base of the spine.

Question 6

What is spondylosis?

Answer 6

A degenerative joint disease that involves the calcification of the edges of the vertebral body that can cause pain and stiffness.

Question 7

What is spondylolysis?

Answer 7

A separation of the vertebral arch from the vertebral body

Question 8

What is spondylolisthesis?

Answer 8

It is the anterior displacement of the vertebral body from the inferior vertebral segment

Question 9

What is lumbar spinal stenosis?

Answer 9

Narrowing of the lumbar vertebral foramen which can compress the spinal nerve roots

Question 10

What is a lumbar puncture?

Answer 10

It is a diagnostic procedure where a needle is placed between L3/L4 or L4/L5 to collect cerebral spinal fluid.

Question 11

Why is a lumbar puncture more frequently performed at the l4/l5 region?

Answer 11

Because the spinal cord fans out into the caudal equina around the area of L2 in grown adults. By doing it at this level you avoid puncturing the spinal cord.

Question 12

What is hemisacrilization?

Answer 12

the partial or complete incorporation of the L5 vertebra segment to the sacrum. This puts more pressure on the L4 and L5 segment and will result in back pain

Question 13

What is lumbarization?

Answer 13

The separation of the s1 vertebral segment from the sacrum

Question 14

What is coccgodynia?

Answer 14

A fracture or dislocation of the coccyx which results in pain. This fracture usually occurs from a fall or after difficult child birth

Question 15

What is kyphosis?

Answer 15

A exaggerated curvature of the thoracic vertebral column usually resulting in a humpback

Question 16

What is lordosis?

Answer 16

an exaggeration of the curvature to the lumbar thoracic region that results in a sway back

Question 17

What is scoliosis?

Answer 17

A lateral curvature to the spine

Question 18

What is whiplash?

Answer 18

It is a hyperextension of the neck that will result in the excessive stretching or tearing of the anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 19

How is a suspected fracture to the vertebral column treated?

Answer 19

the pt will be kept in hyperextension and the pull of the anterior longitudinal ligament will help align the fragments

Question 20

What is herniation of the interverberal disc?

Answer 20

When the nucleus pulposus will leave the annulus fibrosis

Question 21

What can result of intervertebral disc herniation?

Answer 21

It can compress the spinal nerve roots, cauda equina or spinal nerves.

Question 22

What is a back sprain?

Answer 22

A ligamentous injury between bones that usually occurs when there has been inadequate stretching before activity

Question 23

What is a back strain?

Answer 23

The excessive stretching and sometimes tearing of the muscle fibers produced by overly strong muscular contractor.

Question 24

What will occur with a spinal cord injury at the level of c1-c3?

Answer 24

There will be no function below the head, respirator will be needed for life

Question 25

What will occur with a spinal cord injury at the level of c4-5?

Answer 25

No function of the limbs, respiration is capable

Question 26

What will occur with a spinal cord injury at the level of c6-c8?

Answer 26

Loss of hand and variable upper limb function, could propel a wheelchair

Question 27

What will occur with a spinal cord injury at the level of t1-t9?

Answer 27

Paralysis of the lower limbs

Question 28

What will occur with a spinal cord injury at the level of t10-l1?

Answer 28

Some thigh muscle function could walk with walking braces

Question 29

What will occur with a spinal cord injury to l2-l3?

Answer 29

Most lower limb function present but might need short leg braces.