Intro Flashcards
Radicular, referred and radiculopathy presentation
- Referred = deep, dull, achy and diffuse
- Radicular pain = intense, radiating, sharp, darting,, dermatomal pattern
- Radiculopathy encompasses radicular pain with other neural symptoms (weakness, numbness ect)
Directional preference
The easing position or movement that needs to be either repeated or sustained to improve pain or ROM (ext most common)
Cauda Equina symptoms
- Difficulty going to the bathroom, if so is there difficulty starting urination
- Numbness or change of sensation between legs
When should standing and sitting posture be considered in a physical exam
Therefore, both standing and sitting posture can be incorporated into the physical exam if there is a relationship between posture and the symptoms. Do the symptoms relate to starting or changing postures (new job, extra hours ect) During this exam the aim is to determining if changing the posture will change the pain.
Why does poor posture not cause pain
- Tissue adapt to stress over time, posture is long term meaning that the tissues have enough time to adapt
- Tissue damage or stress does not always equal pain!
- There is variety in the anatomical makeup of all people and certain asymmetries and irregularities can cause different posture that is still normal for that person.
Postural risk factors
- Working with trunk in a bent or twisted position for more than two hours a day
- Not being able to change position regularly, sitting posture may not be the issue jus that it is not changed regularly
- Excessive standing (the exam amount of time is unknown)
- High forces involved
Effects of movements within the lumbar spine
- Extension - loading through posterior structures of lumbar spine, increased pressure eon Z joints, reduced inter-formal space, increased lamina pressure, movement and loading of neural tissue
- Flexion - Increased intervertebral pressure, tensile loading in surrounding structures including ligaments posterior muscle and Z joints, movement and loading of neural tissue
- Side flexion - tensile load on contralateral disc, ligaments and muscles. Reduced ipsilateral interforaminal space
- Rotation - increased lamina pressure
Coupled movements
Differs between upper and lower segments.
- Upper (l2-L3, L3-L4) - contralateral bending towards the opposite direction of axial rotation. (rotation to the right will cause bending to the left of contralateral side)
- Lower (L4-L5, L5-S1) - ipsilateral bending towards towards same direction of rotation.
Lumbo-pelvic rhythm
- Bending forward - lumbar flexion followed by anterior pelvic tile
- Bending backwards - posterior pelvic tilt followed by extension
Normal lumbar ROM
- Flexion, 40-60
- Extension, 15-35
- Lateral flexion, 15-20
- Rotation, 5-15
What movements build Combined movements
- Ext combined - extension, ipsi rotation, side flexion. LOAD/COMPRESS posterior structures of lower two segments on same side
- Flex combined - flexion, contr rotation and side flexion. TENSION the posterior structures of lower two segments on the opposite side
What is a directional preference
Position of movement that either needs to either be repeatedly loaded or teh position sustained to significantly improve either pain (intensity and/or location = central) and/or ROM
Centralisation and peripheralization
Central = when symptoms move proximally Peripheral = When symptoms move peripherally
Directional preferences example
- Normally directional preference is in extension, this can be noted in the patient interview if they state that standing and going for a walk will improve their symptoms.
- Flexion can also be a directional preference by lying supine and pulling knees to chest
How to determine DP and why is this important
- Easing factors or positions stated by the patient in the interview. Some may not specifically say this so it is appropriate to ask “what happens when you stand and walk around”
- Repeated movement assessment in physical exam
- It is important to determine DP as it will influence the exercise and strategies provided to the patient around management
Setting up for repeated movement exam
The likely direction should already be determined from interview.
Make sure the patient understand what is going to happen and why it is important:
- Going to determine what exercises and management, 5-10 times as far as you can comfortably go and aiming to go a bit further each time
- If it is pain provoking then stop
Aim of repeated movement exam and how to reasses
The aim is to get improvement in one area:
- Slowly increasing extension
- Centralisation or reduce pain
- Improved AROM
Pain is the most likely factor but if the patient was already pain from on AROM then can re assess using a functional task that is given the patient pain
What are you looking for with Palpation
- Allodynia or hyperalgesia (this may point to centralisation occurring)
- Atrophy or wasting
- Allowing the patient to become comfortable with touch
- Symptom reproduction
- Multifidous → erector spinae → quadratus lumborum
PAIVM
- Determine segmental origin of symptoms
- Unilateral paivms on contralateral side
PPIVM
Assess levels of flexion at each segment
Lateral shift info
- Normally associated with sever LBP
- Patient adopts position in which they lean away from the pain (contralateral shift) i.e lean to left will often mean pain on the right hip
- The patient knows they are in an abnormal position
- Patient will appear normal in supine and the shift is only visible in WB
Self correcting a lateral shift
This can be done during observation or after AROM
- Patient stands with side that the shift is occurring against the wall with either shoulder or elbow on the wall
- Lean hips towards the wall, holding for a few seconds and then bring them back to the midline if possible
- 5-10 reps and centralisation or ROM/reduction of shift is occurring
- Can apply overpressure with opposite hand
Why is manual correction of a lateral shift not ideal
Correction can be done manually but because this is likely to cause pain it is much better to get the patient to do this.
Aims from correcting a lateral shift
- Improvement in pain at rest
- Improvement in pain on AROM
- Reduction of shift in observation
- Centralisation
Functional outcome measures
Establish functional level and determine change over time
- Roland Morris functional Questionnaire
- Oswestry Disability Index
- Not just about function
Risk identification tools
Determine modifiable risk factors for developing persistent pain in those with acute LBP.
Also determines psychosocial and behavioural contributors in those with pain
Referred to as diagnostic triage to identify those at risk of poor recovery and needing extensive management
- Keele STarT Back screening tool
- Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (OMPQ)
- Not just for LBP
- Fear avoidance Beliefs Questionaire (FABQ)
When (in the PE) is a neuro exam performed
The neuro exam is only performed in patients where it is required (from PI) and will take place after the active assessment (before manual)
Uses of a neurological exam
The purpose of the neuro exam is to confirm if the neurological system is effected. It can inform diagnosis as well as management but will also determine if URGET action needs to be taken. Can be used as an outcome measure over time.
UML location and effects
Lesion occurring in spinal cored, brain stem or motor cortex. Anywhere above the anterior horn cell.
Stroke, TBI and SCI are all examples of this.
Cause
- Increased reflexivity
- Weakness or paralysis either ipsilaterally or bilaterally that can spread greater than a single myotome.
- Disuse atrophy causes decreased muscle bulk that is widespread
LML location and effects
Lesion occurring in or distal to the anterior horn cell.
Cranial nerve nuclei, spinal roots and peripheral nerves.
Cause
- Decreased or absent reflexes
- Ipsilateral weakness or paralysis that is normally more localised to a segment or focal pattern.
- Neurogenic atrophy causing rapid wasting in a focal distribution
3 main red flags during neuro assessment
UML/ cord signs not previously diagnosed
Cauda Equina
Significant progression
Cauda Equina causes
Example of a lower motor neuron lesion that requires immediate medical referral (have 48 hours)
Main cause is disc herination therefore most common at L4/5 and L5/S1.
Patients with narrow spinal canal may be predisposed to this
Cauda Equina Diagnosis
- Parethesia in the saddle region
- Bladder retention or bowel dysfunction (inability or loss of control)
- Sexual dysfunction
2 types of cauda equina onset
- Acute
- Rapid development of symptoms that will include sever LBP, sensory and motor deficts in the lower body
- Gradual
- Progressively and symptoms may occur on/off over several weeks or months
- Recurring or persistent LBP with muscle weakness and numbness with baldder and/or bowel dysfunction.
- May occur with bilateral or ipsilateral radicular pain
UML diagnostic factors
Cervical - bilateral sensory symptoms in hands and feet, clumsiness when using hands
Thoracic - Bilateral sensory symptoms in feet
Reports of unsteadiness when walking
Weakness in groups of muscle
Increased reflexes - below the level
Requires immediate medical referral
However, if the patient say they have bilateral numbness and/or pins and needle and it is not related to onset of symptoms and usual to the patient this is ok.
If related to symptoms and not usual then refer.
What level does the spinal cord stop
L1
LML effects
Other than Cauda Equina there is no need for immediate referral
- Decreased sensation or sensory changes in a dermatome or peripheral nerve area
- Weakness or atrophy in muscle supplied by that nerve
- Decreased or absent reflexes in the muscle supplied by that nerve (myotome)
- Note that not all of these symptoms will occur together
Why should a neuro exam be performed
- When patient reports symptoms of abnormal conduction i.e p/n, numbeness, weakness that relate to LBP
- UML features (decreased control of active movement, difficulty walking)
- Neuropathic symptoms (burning, shooting)
- Any symptoms that extend below to the buttock crest (ischial tub)