Low Back Exam Flashcards
What are the goals of a PE?
- Determine the symptoms do not represent life or function threatening
- Where pain is coming from
What are the four causes of LBP?
- Referred pain
- Activity related pain
- Non-activity related
- Psych
What is lumbago?
LBP
What is sciatica?
Pain in the lower back and hip, radiating down the thigh and into the leg. Is a descriptive term for a distribution of pain, not a diagnosis.
What is the cause of sciatic nerve neuropathy?
Piriformis tightness
Foot and ankle paresthesias = ?
Peroneal neuropathy
What causes a leg radiculopathy?
L5/S1 nerve compression by herniated disc
SI joint ligament pattern can cause what?
Sciatica
Steadily increasing back pain, especially in the elderly, could suggest what?
Malignancy
Continuous pain, not altered by posture or movement is suspicious for what?
Renal stones
Psychogenic causes
True or false: isolated pain in the upper lumbar region is generally not concerning
false–could be AAA
What is spondylolysis?
Breakage of a vertebral segment
scottie dog
Scottie dog appearance on x-ray = ?
spondylolysis
Why is coughing or sneezing that worsens back pain concerning?
Increased abdominal pressure leads to pressure on the spine
Back pain with lying down or wakes up at night (not relieved by turning over) is concerning for what?
Bone CA
Why is asking about function important with LBP?
See how bad it really is
Assess what needs to be done
Pt failing to improve is suspicious for what?
Psychosocial issues
Heel and toe walking assess what?
L5/S1 nerves
What does the Adam’s forward bending test check for?
Scoliosis