Exam 4 Flashcards
What is paresthesia?
The sensation of numbness, prickling, or tinglng experienced in central and peripheral nerve lesions
What are the potential causes of paresthesias?
anatomical or mechanical peripheral nerve injuries; more common to occur at sites that undergo increased pressure or mechanical forces (wrist)
What is the difference between paresthesia and paresis?
Paresthesia- change in sensation
Paresis- change in movement
Where is the associated location of paresthesia for a patient with cervical injury?
arms and hands
Where is the associated location of paresthesia for a patient with a lumbar injury?
buttocks, legs, and feet
Spurling’s sign
radicular pain reproduced when the examiner exerts downward pressure on the vertex while tilting the head toward the symptomatic side
Differentiate between acute and chronic back pain- how will presentations differ?
Acute- presents with localized discomfort that occurs after mechanical stress; may have trouble standing erect; pain may radiate to buttox and thigh
Chronic- hallmark symptom is radiation to one or both buttocks, pain aggravated by activity
What is the straight leg test?
With the patient supine and relaxed, elevate the leg until it begins to bend or the patient reports severe pain in buttock or back; considered positive when the pain is elicited below the level of the knee when the leg is raised less than 60 degrees; would be positive if herniated disc
S&S of epicondylitis
S: stiffness at the elbow, especially at night; difficulty extending the arm in the morning; pain that is worse with gripping or shaking hands
O: inability to fully extend arm at elbow
Describe the Phalen’s test
Test for carpal tunnel: Patient engages in full flexion of wrists by placing back of hands touching in front of them; positive if tingling sensation of the median nerve
Describe Tinel’s sign
Test for carpal tunnel: Examiner taps anterior wrist briskly; positive if this illicits pins and needles sensation of the median nerve over the hand
Describe Finkelstein’s test
Test for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: patient should flex thumb toward the palm and make a fist (holding thumb under fingers) and deviate wrist towards the ulna; positive if pain on the wrist on the thumb side
Describe McMurray’s test
Test for medial meniscus injury: positive if there is a click sound upon manipulation of the knee
What is the standard diagnostic test for osteoporosis?
Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
Treatment/Management for osteoporosis
Non-pharm: gait training, activity, eliminate hazards in home, prevent fractures
Pharm: Calcium & Vitamin D, estrogen, biphosphonates, testosterone supplements, fluoride
Hormone replacement with estrogen for osteoporosis causes increased risk for what?
breast CA, CAD, stroke, DVT
What is the most common entrapment neuropathy?
carpal tunnel syndrome
What is the clinical presentation for carpal tunnel syndrome?
S: aching sensation that radiates to thenar area; pain at night and in the morning with numbness/paresthesia at thumb & 4th metatarsal, frequently drops objects and can’t open jars
O: Possible swelling, redness, nodules, deformity, muscle atrophy; tests are Allen’s sign, PHalen’s maneuver, Tinel’s sign
Management for carpal tunnel syndrome
Non-Pharm: prevent flection/extension by using a splint
Pharm: NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, Vitamin B6
What are the red flags when assessing a patient with low back pain?
Hx of trauma, fever, incontinence, unexplained weight loss, a cancer history, long term steroids, parenteral drug use, intense localized pain and an inability to get into a comfortable position
What are the special tests for assessing lower back pain?
-Straight-leg raise: places the L5 & S1 nerve roots and the sciatic nerve under tension
-Reverse straight-leg raise: Places the L1-L4 nerve roots under tension
-Prone rectus femoris test: places the L1-L4 nerve roots under tension
Treatment for low back pain (non-radiating)
Non-pharm: exercise, CBT, electromyography, Tai chi/yoga, relaxation, heat, massage, acupuncture, spinal manipulations
Pharm: NSAIDs, tylenol, muscle relaxers
Clinical presentation of Cauda Equina Syndrome
S: acute or insidious onset, pain in both legs that may be more severe in one, numbness in lower extremities, difficulty voiding, loss of bowel/bladder control
O: Stumbling gait, quadricep or hip extensor weakness, difficulty rising from chair, unable to walk on heels or toes, bilateral footdrop
Why is it so important to recognize cauda Equina?
Because it is a medical emergency and the patient would need an immediate surgical nerve decompression to prevent further injury
What are the complementary therapies for osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal problems?
acupuncture, massage, yoga/tai chi, supplements, aromatherapy
Clinical presentation of plantar fasciitis
subcalcaneal pain that sometimes radiates to the arch of the foot while the person is running or walking; pain is worse in the morning
What is the treatment for plantar fasciitis?
-Heel lifts, padded heel cups, orthotic devices
-For acute phase: rest, ice, NSAIDs, local corticosteroid injections
-Heel-cord stretching exercises and a nighttime splint
-Surgery decompression of the plantar fascia are a last resort
Which musculoskeletal diagnosis are more common in the elderly?
Osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, fractures, falls
What diagnosis would X-ray confirm?
-OA
-Erosions
-Calcifications/cysts
-Osteopenia
-Narrowing of joint spaces
-deformity of bones (fractures, dislocation)
When is a CT ordered for a musculoskeletal complaint?
for axial skeletion evalution because of the ability of the CT to visualize the axial plane; examples are for herniated disc, spinal trauma; also bone fractures that may not show on Xray, blood clots, and organ damage
When is an MRI indicated for a musculoskeletal complaint?
When suspecting soft-tissue disorders such as muscle and tendon tears and intra-articular disorders such as labrum tears and meniscus tears, as well as spine disorders; also nerve compression, rotator cuff tears, achilles tendon rupture
What is an EMG and when is it indicated?
A nerve conduction study, is indicated when neurologic abnormalities or paresthesia are present in disorders such as carpal tunnel
How do you define an acute musculoskeletal injury?
acute pain less than 6 weeks’ duration; damage to muscle, tendons, ligaments, nerves & bursae
Strain vs. Sprain
Strain- muscle injury caused by excessive tensile stress placed on a muscle resulting in stiffness & decreased function; affect muscles or tendons that connect muscle-bone
Sprain- stretching or tearing of ligaments that occurs when a joint is forced beyond its normal anatomical range
Describe the degree of sprains
1st degree: stretching of ligamentous fibers
2nd degree: tear or part of the ligament with pain & swelling
3rd degree: complete ligamentous separation
Management for acute musculoskeletal injury
-PRICE: Protect, Rest, Ice, compression, elevation
-Pharm: NSAIDS
-Referral to orthopedic if no relief with conventional methods after 6 weeks
Differential diagnosis for knee pain
Acute: Fracture, meniscal injury, ligamentous injury, musculotendinous strain, extensor mechanism injury, contusions
Chronic: arthritis, tumors, sepsis, overuse
S&S of cervical muscle sprain/strain
S- pain, mid to lower posterior neck; dull/aching exacerbated by movement; occipital headache
O- Decreased ROM w/ poor quality of movement; negative Spurling’s sign; reproducible tenderness
Management of cervical muscle sprain/strain
-Reassurance and time
-NSAIDs & Non-narcotics
-Short-term muscle relaxants
-Physiotherapy: Ice, heat, therapies, cervical traction
What should patients be aware of when taking muscle relaxants?
Cause drowsiness; don’t drink alcohol, don’t drive or operate heavy machinery
S&S of cervical spondylosis
S: Recurring neck stiffness with mild aching, limited ROM with lateral rotation/flexion toward affected side
O: Shoulder abduction weakness, Biceps/Triceps weakness
How does treatment of cervical sprains differ from cervical spondylosis?
-For cervical spondylosis, all of the interventions for a sprain in addition to these:
-Steroids might be indicated if there is radicular pain (pain that radiates down back and into legs or arms)
-Surgery may be indicated if myelopathy/intractable pain/severe disabilities
Is cervical spondylosis acute or chronic?
Chronic: caused by cumulative stress over time but is exacerbated by trauma, poor body mechanics, postural changes, or a disc injury
F/U for cervical spondylosis
6 weeks; if no improvement can refer to an orthopedic surgeon
How long would acute low back pain persist?
less than 6 weeks
Chronic low back pain duration
Lasts longer than 3 months
Causes of low back pain
-Lumbar strain/sprain
-Spinal stenosis
-Osteoarthritis
-scoliosis
-spondylosis
-Lesion or fracture
S&S of low back pain
S: Pain radiates to buttocks, muscle spasms, history of lifting/twisting with heavy object, prolonged sitting, trauma
O: Diffuse tenderness to lower back; ROM elicits pain, Negative straight-leg to rule out disc herniation
Differential diagnosis for chronic low back pain
Depression
Arthritis
Infection
Mets/tumors
Osteoporosis
What is the most common cause of radicular pain to the lower extremities?
A herniated lumbar disc
S&S of herniated lumbar disc
S: Onset most likely insidious; exaggerated by sitting, walking, standing, coughing, sneezing; radiates from buttock to posterior leg, ankle, foot, paresthesias, weakness
O: Positive straight leg raise; pain & spinal extension when sitting with leg raised (flip sign), possible loss of DTRs
Non-pharmacological management for herniated disc
-Pain relief/improve mobility
-Limit sitting, prolonged standing, or walking; take frequent rest breaks when resuming activity
-Surgery if symptoms persist for > 3 months or significant neurological compromise
Pharmacological management for herniated disc
-NSAIDS
-Short course of muscle relaxants/opioids
-Short course of steroids or epidural steroid injection
Follow up and referral for herniated disc
F/U 7-10 days and every 2 weeks to monitor progress
-Referral for neuro deficits: ankle jerk, bladder/rectal sphincter weakness (incontinence), foot drop
Pharmacological management for lumbar spinal stenosis
-NSAIDS
-Folic acid and Vitamin B12 supplements
S&S of lumbar spinal stenosis
S: Sx progress from proximal to distal; sitting/walking causes pain and weakness in legs
O: Impaired proprioception, possible + romberg, diminished reflexes, lumbar scoliosis
Which part of the spine is the most common injured?
C-spine
S&S of vertebral fracture
S: C/O pain after injury; pain is at a specific pinpoint and described as aching or stabbing
O: possible ecchymosis or swelling
Patient education for vertebral fracture
-Avoid bending, stooping, twisting, or lifting anything over 10 pounds; exercise, fall-prevention
S&S of bursitis
S: pain or swelling of bursal sacs; warmth, possible fever, chills, arthalgias if due to RA or gout
O: Pain may be referred to other structures, induration, erythema, and effusion
When to make a referral for bursitis
Refer to ortho if no improvement w/ conservative therapy after 6 weeks
What is the most common cause of tendinitis or tenosynovitis?
Overuse
S&S of De quervain’s tenosynovitis
S: Pain at radial side of wrist especially with lifting
O: Possible creptis over radial styloid; Allen’s, Phalen’s, Tinel’s are negative; Finkelstein’s test is +
What is Dupuytren’s contracture?
palmar fibromatosis most often in the 4th and 5th fingers
S&S: thumb-index finger web space, difficulty grasping objects, normal sensation
Management: injections/surgery
S&S of rotator cuff syndrome
S: gradual onset, A/L shoulder pain exacerbated by overhead activity, pain radiates to elbow
O: Pain/crepitus with shoulder motion/palpation; Positive Neer & Hawkins signs
When to refer to an orthopedic surgeon for ankle sprain
-If no improvement in 6-8 weeks; would need MRI
Diagnostics for ankle sprain
Anterior drawer test
X-ray ankle & foot
What is the most common articular disease in adults greater than 45 years of age?
Osteoarthritis
Principle sites for osteoarthritis
-Distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)- Herberden’s nodes
-Proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)- Bouchard’s nodes
-Carpometacarpal joint (CMC)
-Great toe, hips, knees, C/L spines
S&S of osteoarthritis
S: slowly developing localized pain in affected joint, subtle onset, weight-bearing joints with early morning stiffness or stiffness after inactivity that subsides after 30 minutes
O: minimal or no swelling in affected joints; tenderness on direct palpation, crepitus, reduces passive and active ROM
Pharmacological treatments for osteoarthritis
-NSAIDS (topical/PO), tylenol, tramadol, steroid injections (knee or hip joints)