Low Back Pain Evaluation

Question 1

A local, segmental, or generalized narrowing of the vertebral canal by bone or soft tissue is called ________.

Answer 1

Spinal stenosis

Question 2

If a patient does not like to extend, you should be thinking of potential ________.

Answer 2

Degenerative disc disease

Question 3

Schmorl’s nodes represent herniation of the ________ into the adjacent end plate.

Answer 3

Nucleus pulposus

Question 4

________ is a symptom that should make you suspicious of cancer.

Answer 4

Night pain (unrelieved by change of position)

Question 5

The term for arthritis of the spine is ________.

Answer 5

Spondylosis

Question 6

Low back pain is the ________ most common symptom-related reason for visits to primary care physicians.

Answer 6

Second

Question 7

A fracture in the pars interarticularis is known as a ________.

Answer 7

Spondylolysis

Question 8

If a patient is standing very erect and does not like to flex at the hips due to shooting pain, you should be thinking of a potential ________.

Answer 8

Disc pathology

Question 9

Impairment of a nerve root usually causing neurological symptoms related to that nerve root level is called ________.

Answer 9

Radiculopathy

Question 10

An anterior displacement of a vertebra on the one beneath it is called a ________.

Answer 10

Spondylolisthesis

Question 11

A loss of bowel and bladder control and numbness in the groin, associated with weakness in the lower extremities is known as ________.

Answer 11

Cauda equina syndrome

Question 12

What are the potentially serious conditions that you want to rule out in someone with low back pain?

Answer 12

Fracture, tumor, infection, cauda equina syndrome

Question 13

The annulus fibrosus is innervated by the ________ nerve.

Answer 13

Sinuvertebral

Question 14

________ variables are stronger predictors of long-term disability than anatomical findings found on imaging studies.

Answer 14

Psychosocial