Low back pain

Question 0

L5

-motor, sensory, reflex

Answer 0

Motor: big toe dorsiflexion (extensory hallucis longus) and foot eversion (peroneus muscle)
Sensory: Dorsum of the foot and lateral aspect of lower leg
No reflex

Question 1

L4 deficit

-motor, sensory, reflex

Answer 1

Foot dorsiflexion (tibialis anterior muscle)
Sensory: medial aspect of the lower leg
Reflex: patellar

Question 2

S1 deficits

-motor, sensory, reflex

Answer 2

Motor: plantar flexion (gastrocnemius/soleus), hip extension (gluteus maximus)
Sensory: plantar and lateral aspects of the foot
Reflex: Achilles

Question 3

Red flags

Answer 3

Age > 50
Saddle anesthesia
Bowel/bladder incontinence
Impotence
Previous cancer history
Severe pain
Constitutional symptoms
Neuro deficits
Loos of anal sphincter tone

Question 4

Red flag syndromes

Answer 4

Fracture
Tumor
Infection
Cauda equina syndrome
Spinal stenosis
Radiculopathy: herniation which compresses spinal nerves

Question 5

Low back pain that improves w/ bending of the hip or leaning forward

Answer 5

Spinal stenosis usually 2/2 DJD
Neck pain, back pain that radiates
Tx w/ complete laminectomy