L7 Radicular Conditions Flashcards
Key Exam Findings: Manip/Mob
- No symptoms distal to knee
- Recent onset <16 days
- Low FABQ
- Lumbar hypomobility
- Hip IR PROM >35°
Key Exam Findings: Stabilization
- younger age, <40
- 3+ prior episodes
- Increasing frequency of episodes
- Aberrant movement patterns
- SLR >91°
- pos PIT
- General Hypermobility
Key Exam Findings: Specific Direction/Centralization
- Symptoms distal to knee
- Symptoms centralize w/repetitive EXT or FLEX
- May have + nerve root signs
- pos SLR
- Presence of lateral shift
- Older Age
Key Exam Findings: Traction
- pos leg symptoms
- pos nerve root signs
- peripheralization with EXT
- inability to centralize
- peripheralization with crossed SLR
Interventions for Manip/Mobilization pts
- mob, manip, MET
- AROM
- stabilization
- address regional deficits
Interventions for Stabilization pts
- local activation of deep core
- general strengthening
- postural awareness
Interventions for Specific Direction/Centralization patients
- Directional specific exercises initially unloaded and progress to loaded
- temporary avoidance of aggravating direction
- Neurodynamics
Interventions for Traction patients
- mechanical or manual traction
- Modified WB temporarily
- Progress to repeated EXT
Radicular Pain
pain caused by a problem at the nerve root
ex: sciatica
Radiculopathy
weakness, numbness, loss of function caused by a problem at the nerve root
can be due to disc herniation, bone spur, trauma, stretching
Referred Pain
pain from a problem in a muscle, joint, etc that is felt in a place different to where the problem is
Directional Preference/Specific Exercise
pt reports flexion consistently makes LE pain appear and worsen, standing up and walking makes it feel better
specific exercise for this pt would be extension based until flexion isn’t aggravating
Loading Strategies
passive or active forces applied by patient or PT with the goal of effecting positive change, progressing towards end of range without flaring pt symptoms
Centralization at the ____
1st appt is a positive predictor of success with PT
What do nerves need to be healthy?
blood flow
movement
space
Progression of Disc Lesions
- Bulging
- Protrusion
- Extrusion
- Sequestration
Why can disc herniations get better?
the autoimmune system recognizes disc herniations into the spinal column as foreigners, so disc herniations cause an inflammatory response of neovascularization, matrix protease activation, increased inflammatory cells, phagocytosis, and enzymatic degradation.
most do not require surgery
What are signs that a disc herniation might need surgery?
cauda equina syndrome
progressive loss of nerve function
lack of response to conservative function
Progression of Sciatica
- Compression
- Ischemia
- Impaired axonal transport, demyelination, axon degeneration
- Loss of nerve function
- Chemical irritation
- Inflammation
- Gain of nerve function (pain, hyperreflexia, hyperesthetic)
Radiculopathy Prevalence
-most common in male 30-50
-3-5% of US population
-majority of cases spntaneously resolve over time
RF for Radiculopathy
driving occupations
lifting and twisting
previous history of LBP
obesity
smoking
multiple pregnancies
Patient Exam for Radicular Conditions
- Observation
- Functional Testing
- Movement Testing; AROM with OP and Repeated Motions
- Neural Exam