Low Back Pain 12/2 Flashcards
Epidemiology of LBP
1.3 % of total office visit
Lifetime prevalence 80%
Leading cause of work related disability
Estimated 149 million work days lost per year in US
Total cost of LBP 100 billion to 200 billion per year in US
Patient comes in c/ o of LBP describes it as deep ache and in left buttock and radiates down the left thigh, patient reports pain is worse when sitting for longer than 15 min, and improves with walking
PE shows tender SI joint region, tender point 2/3 distance between ILA and left greater trochanter
What is your diagnosis?
Piriformis syndrome
What is the action of the piriformis muscle?
Hip external rotation (when hip is extended) and abduction (when hip is flexed)
What are some associations/PE findings of piriformis syndrome?
Associated with trauma or over use
Parenthesias down posterior aspect of thigh due to proximity to sciatic nerve
Straight leg raise positive but nonspecific
Aching pain in gluteal region (greater sciatic foramen) which increases after sitting for longer than 15-20 min
What is sacral diagnosis associated with piriformis syndrome?
Typical scrum is rotated anteriorly towards ipsilateral side on contralateral axis
Example: rights died piriformis usually causes L on L sacral torsion with compensatory rotation of lower lumbar vertebrae in opposite direction
Leads to ipsilateral physiologic short leg
What hip dysfunction is associated with piriformis syndrome?
Ipsilateral hip external rotation SD
Piriformis diagnosis nd treatment t ?
Diagnosis of exclusion
R/o other causes with PE, xRAY, and or MRI
TXT: OMT, PT (effective for majority cases) , consider appropriate analgesics, consider glucocorticoid injections or botulinum toxin injections , rarely surgery
Patient presents with RLQ abdominal pain that radiates to her lower back; characterized as sharp, cramping pain started 2 hours after returning from 50 mi bike ride. She is hunched over to the right and standing up makes pain worse. PE notes tender point 2/3 distance from ASIS to midline. Diagnosis ?
Psoas major syndrome
What physical exam findings associated with psoas syndrome ?
Hypertonicity of psoas musculature
Chronic psoas spasm that can cause persistent strain across lunbrsacral junction
L1 and L2 commonly flexed and rotated towards side of affected psoas - chronic psoas syndrome may have two type 1 SDs( 1 above and 1 below ) around the type 2 SD of L1/L2
L5 commonly in extension
Tenderpoint ipsilateral iliacus and contralateral piriformis
Treatment for psoas syndrome ?
OMT directed txt of SD in thoracolumbar junction and lumbosacral area
Stretching of hypertonic psoas muscle
pt presents of LBP for 2 months
Pain is located midline and he points to area of lumbosacral junction, describes pin as dull ache and worse as day progresses.
Denies radiation down leg. History reveal underwent total hip arthroplasty 6 months ago. Lumbar X-ray shows no disc space narrowing but reveal 6mm difference in iliac crest heights, left higher than the right, which way would tou expect the lumbar spine to be sidebent? Diagnosis?
Left sidebent
Short leg syndrome
What PE findings are associated with short leg syndrome?
Sacroiliac and lumbosacral joint pain and dysfunction - dull, midline lumbosacral aching, becomes way worse as day progresses
Sacral base unleveling
Often associated with scoliosis
Iliolumbar ligament is typically first structure to react to added stresss in lumbosacral area
Tender palpating at attachment on Iliad crest or L4 and L5 TP
What are somatic dysfunctions associated with short leg syndrome?
Lumbar spine is SB away and rotated towards the side of sacral base
Innominate rotated anteriorly on side of short leg OR rotated posteriorly on side of long leg
Pelvic side shift to the side of the longer leg
Foot on longer leg pronates with IR
What type of X-ray is used for measuring heights of iliac crest femoral heads and sacral base?
Standing postural X-ray
What are some treatment considerations a for short leg syndrome
Treat SD area first
Exercise for stretching asymmetric muscles
Heel lift therapy
Acute change in leg length = replace full discrepancy immediately *
Heel lift therapy
For short leg syndrome
Typically only treated if leg length discrepancy is greater than 5 mm
Max 1/4 Heel lift in shoe, 1/4 may be added to outside for total 1/2
May add the full 1/2 outside of shoe
Final life height should be 1/2 to 3/4 of measured discrepancy unless recent sudden cause apparent