L/S Examination Flashcards
list red flags that are commonly listed in research
- age > 50 yrs
- no improvements in symptoms after one month
- insidious onset
- a previous history of cancer
- no relief with bed rest
- unexplained weight loss
- fever
- T/S pain
- being systematically unwell
list common functional limitations surrounding L/S
- lifting
- bending
- dressing
- squatting
- twisting at trunk (i.e reaching in back seat of car)
- extension activities (i.e reaching on overhead shelf)
list outcome measures for lower back
- patient specific functional scale (PSFS)
- Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)
- Roland Morris Questionnaire
list outcome measures for psychosocial
- fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ)
- pain catastrophizing scale (PCS)
- tampa scale of kinesiophobia (TSK)
what should be included in the visual inspection in the anterior view?
- visual inspection
- weight shifting
- pelvic asymmetry
- LE alignment
- Distress
- Posture examination w/landmark palpation
- ASIS
what should be included in the visual inspection in the posterior view?
- Visual inspection
- soft tissue and bony contour general symmetry
- especially erector spinae mass
- scapulae: inferior angles in line with spinous process T7
- tibial and fibular malleoli
- popliteal crease
- soft tissue and bony contour general symmetry
- posture assessment w/landmark palpation
- vertical alignment of spine
- Iliac crest height
- PSIS
what common abnormalities should be assessed for in the posterior view?
- Lateral shift → lumbar lateral flexion with compensatory upper lumbar/thoracic contralateral flexion
- often attributed to lumbar lateral flexion “away” from laterality of pain source
- commonly correlated with posteriolateral disc bulge, unilateral facet arthropathy
- Scoilotic curve
- Unilateral muscle mass variance
- morphologic → atrophy (erector spinae, gluts)
- physiologic → guarding, inhibition, spasm, volitional
what are you looking for in the lateral view during the visual inspection?
- Visual inspection
- “plumb line” assessment
- external auditory meatus, acromion, peak of iliac crest
- lordotic curvature (excessive vs. diminished)
- Posture assessment w/landmark palpation
- vertical alignment of spine
- iliac crest height
- PSISs
what are some common abnormalities you should be viewing in the lateral view?
- excessive lumbar lordosis
- tripod effect → z-joints become weight bearing
- may accompany anterior pelvic tilt
- diminished lumbar lordosis
- flat back posture
- may be consistent with lumbar stenosis
- sway back posture
- excessive thoracic kyphosis and posterior pelvic tilt
- excessive hip extension
- lengthened back extensors and hip flexors
during a gait analysis what should be looked for in the anterior/posterior view?
- lumbar rotation
- excessive, may be compensatory and related to LE limitations
- limited may implacte muscle guarding or avoidance
- lumbar lateral flexion
- corrective strategy to shift weight
- hip adduction
- hip rotation (may observe better w/knee in respect to distance from midline)
- excessive ankle inverions/eversion
what gait deviations may be observed in the lateral view?
- slouched gait
- hip extension
- knee flexion/extension
- tibial advancement
- ground striking and related observations
- contacting ground w/flat foot or toe
List elimination tests utilized in a lumbar exam
- Lower Quarter Screen (LQS)
- Neuro Screening tests
- sensation
- motor function
- DTR
- Special tests
- slump test
- straight leg raise test
- extension rotation test
- lumbar stenosis clincial prediction rule
- lumbar percussion
what is included in the lower quarter screen?
- Lumbar AROM
- Squat
- Unilateral squat vs modified lunges
- Walking on heels
- Walking on toes
what is included in sensation testing?
- light touch
- pin prick
- proprioception
findings reported as symmetrical, normal/diminished, absent
what is included in testing motor function (for neurological tests)
- myotome
- peripheral nerve distribution
- coordination
findings reported as symmetrical, normal/diminished/absent
Nerve root L1
- sensory testing → proximal anterior thigh
- myotome testing → hip flexion
Nerve root L2
- sensory testing → middle, anterior thigh
- myotome testing → hip flexion
Nerve root L3
- Sensory testing → medial knee
- Myotome testing → knee extension
Nerve root L4
- Sensory testing → medial foot
- Myotome testing → ankle dorsiflexion
- DTR → quads
Nerve root L5
- Sensory testing → dorsum of foot
- Myotome testing → great toe extension
- DTR → extensor digitorum brevis
Nerve root S1
- Sensory Testing → lateral foot and 5th toe
- Myotome testing → ankle plantarflexion
- DTR → achilles
Nerve root S2
- Sensory testing → medial posterior leg
- Myotome testing → knee flexion
what elimination tests are for lumbar spine radiculopathies
- The Slump Test
- The Straight Leg Raise Test
what elimination tests are for Z-joint pain?
the extension rotation test