Lecture #4 Flashcards
What are the critical functions of the spine?
- protection of spinal cord
- permit movement and mobility by:
- > transfering weight to pelvis and lower limb
- > provide attachment site for muscles (back, head, neck, upper extremities, thorax)
Describe the spinal structures
- 33 vertebrae
- 23 intervetebral discs
- goes from skull to pelvis
- contains spinal cord
- is the largest segment of body
- most important for movement and extremity function
Name the 4 vertebrae areas?
- cervical spine
- thoracic spine
- lumbar spine
- sacrum
Describe the cervical spine
- uppermost part
- 7 vertebrae (C1-C7)
which cervical vertebrae allow for neck movement? describe them
C1 (atlas) - sits btw skull and rest
C2 (axis) - has bony protjection that fits into hole of atlas to allow rotation
Describe thoracic spine
- 12 vertebrae (T1-T12) in chest section
- where the ribs attach to the spine
describe the lumbar spine
- also called lower back
- 5 vertebrae (L1-L5) - some have 6
- connects thoracic and pelvis
- bears bulk of body weight
- largest vertebrae
describe sacrum?
- large bone consisting of several fused vertebrae
- base of the spine
- above coccyx
Which spine bears most of the body’s weight?
lumbar spine
True or false, the vertebrae body becomes thicker as you go down the column?
true
Name and describe the different parts of the spinal cord.
spinous process:
- projects posteriorly at the midline of the back
- serves as important attachment sites with transverse process
superior articular process:
- extends and faces upwards
inferior articular process:
- faces or projects downward on each side of a vertebrae
Which processes pair and allow for slightly movable joints between vertebrae?
superior and inferior articular process
What plays an important role in determining range of motion in each region?
Shape and orientation of articular processes
describe intervertebral discs role
- separate and unite bodies of adjacent vertebrae
- provide shock absorption
- facilitate movement
What are the two components of intervertebral discs?
- Anulus fibrosus (fibrous outer layer)
- Nucleus pulposus (gel-like centre)
What curve of spine is present at birth and which one develops later in first two years of life?
- thoracic and sacral -> present at birth
- cervical and lumbar -> develops later
What is back pain caused by?
- when spinal nerves become compressed and irritated, back pain and sciatica may result
What are causes of back pain?
- age
- fitness level
- weight
- genetics
- handling heavy items
- pre-existing mental health issues
How can age affect and cause back pain?
- lose bon strength from osteoporosis can lead to fracture
- muscle elasticity and tone decrease
- intervertebral discs lose fluid and flexibility - decrease their ability to cushion
What is spinal stenosis?
when the spinal canal narrows and causes the nerve roots and spinal cord to become compressed causing pinching which leads to pain weakness or numbness
How does fitness level affect back pain?
- weak back and weak abdominal muscles more probable to cause injury, especially if dont maintain daily activity
how does weight affect back pain?
- being overweight puts stress on the back
how does genetics affect back pain? What is ankylosing spondylitis?
A form of arthritis that involves fusion of the spinal joints (fewer intervertebral discs) leading to some immobility of the spine.
how can mental illness affect back pain?
- anxiety/depression can lead to focusing on pain or pereption of its sevirity as worse
- chronic pain can also lead to depression
What are the different types of back pains?
- Acute - a few days to a few weeks, resolves on its own, no residual LOF. Most is mechanical in nature, in how components fit together.
- Sub-acute - last 4 and 12 weeks
- chronic - pain that persists 12 weeks or longer even after injury was treated.
- most is acute or sub acute
What is low back pain most often associated with? What are mechanical factors?
spondylosis -> general degeneration of the spine associated with normal wear and tear of joints, discs and bones
- sprains and strains
- intervertebral disc degeneration
- herniated or ruptured discs
- radiculopathy
- spondylolisthesis
- spinal stenosis
What are sprains and strains?
sprains: overstretching and tearing of ligaments
strains: tears in tendon or muscle
* both can occur from liftin something heavy or wrong
Describe intervertebral disc degeneration
lose their cushiony ability
describe herniated or ruptured discs
occurs when the intervertebral discs becomes compressed and bulge outward or rupture causing low back pain
describe radiculopathy and sciatica
1- condition caused by compression, inflammation and.or injury to a spinal nerve root
2- form of radiculopathy caused by compression of the sciatic nerve
compression causes shock-like or burning low back pain
describe spondylolisthesis?
condition in which vertebra of the lower spine slips out of place, pinching the nerves exiting the spinal cord.
There are many stages
what is the narrowing of the spinal column, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing numbness and leg weakness called?
spinal stenosis
What are the different skeletal irregularities?
scoliosis
lordosis
kyphosis (notre dame bossu)
How does aging affect back pain?
aging causes joints to lose ROM
- cartilage wears away
- bony spurs form
- connective tissue lose elasticity
- muscles lose strength
What does inactivity cayse>
muscular atrophy and reduced joint flexibility
Research has shown that women or men are at greater risk of back pain and why?
women
- insufficient muscular strength
- reduced bone mass
- bone mineral density will increase chances of fall
How does posture affect back pain?
can create misalignment and imbalances
what do ergonomic positions look at?
- height and position of desk
- height and position of chair
- height and position of screen
- lighting
- document position
What can affect posture?
- habits
- ergonomy
- activities of Daily living (DL)
Why is posture so important?
important to our health in general and musculoskeletal health in particular
What else can posture affect in addition to musculoskeletal health?
- can reduce normal O2 flow
- can reduce circulation to internal organs
- can affect mental health
- research shows effective posture can have positive link with positive outlook and level of energy
How do posture and personality relate?
looking down -> lacking self-condidence
what can result from poor posture in regards to msucles?
- can cause some muscles to stretch and loosen and other to shorten and tightens, can lead to muscular imbalance
how can posture get corrected?
- changing behavior
- make ergonomic modifications (pillow, shoes, car seat etc)
- fitness components (flexibility, increase core strenght,lower body, muscular, imbalances)
- weight management
- regain balance, flexibility and alignment
- achieve goals through programs
Name the non-controllable risk factors of skeletal health?
- genetics
- hereditary
- aging
- body size and shape
- congenital disease or conditions
- hormone production/regulation
- personality type
name the controllable risk factors for skeletal and bone health
- nutrition
- P.A
- body weight
- alcohol/tobacco
- postural habits
- profession
- body image -> affects posture and activities we partake in.
- other factors: medication ie: cortisone can weaken, eating disorders
how can age affect movable joints?
- results in decrease in strenght and flexibility and loss of connective tissue and ability of muscles to produce force
what hormones play an important role in formation of bone tissue + secondary sex characteristics and how?
- Estrogen -> important in maintenance of bone mineral density, a decrease will decrease ability to absorb calcium and increase deterioration, incraesing risk of developing osteoporosis.
- Testosterone -> if decreased, causes delay in onset of puberty, can - impact bone mineral density
What can an overactive thyroid gland produce?
increased in bone mineral loss
What can anorexia cause>
amenorrhea - the absence of period which can neg. impact bone mineral density
how does personality type affect growth and development?
influences social behavior which influences growth and development.
how does calcium/vit D, tobacco and alcohol affect skeletal and joint health?
- calcium/vit D helps ensure adequate bone growth
- tobacco weakens bones
- alcohol in excess
What is the types of arthritis that is most common?
osteoarthritis
What is osteoarthritis?
occurs when protective cartilage that cuschions the ends of bones wears down over time
- get bone spurring
- narrowed disks
- the ‘wear and tear’ disease
How can osteoarthritis be managed?
- cant be reversed
- stay active
- maintain healthy weight
- prudent use of anti inflammatory meds
What are signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis?
- pain
- stiffness
- tenderness
- loss of flexibility
- swelling
What are risk factors of osteoarthritis?
RF: genetics, aging, joint stress
increase risk: obesity, bone deformities, metabolic disease such as diabetes
what is osteoporosis?
bones are in constant state of renewal but it slows down with age and therefore more is lost than is created (osteopenia)
risk: how much bone mass is attained in your youth
- the higher the peak bone, less odds of developing
non-controllable risk factors for osteoporosis?
- gender
- race
- again
- body type
- family history
What can elevate risks of osteopororsis?
- hormonal issues (sex and thyroid hormones)
- low calcium intake
- eating disorders
- medical problems: cancer, IBD, kidney or liver disease
What are the most serious complication of osteoporosis?
hip fracture and spinal fracture
how can one increase bone health?
- maintaining appropriate body weight
- btw 18-50 1000mg of Ca /day
- Vit D -> improves ability to absorb calcium
51-70 should take 600 IU, 800 after 70 - exercise -> benefits bone growth
What exercises benefit bone health and what do not?
- cardiovascular workout such as swimming or cycling do not
- weight-bearing improve bones in the legs, hips, lower spine
