Lumbar Examination Flashcards
What technique helps verify the patient’s statements?
Restate what the patient says to you.
What question gathers additional relevant information?
Are there other details you think I should know?
What question explores the patient’s beliefs about their condition?
What do you think your back needs?
What question investigates the patient’s pain perception?
What do you think is happening inside your body when you are in pain?
What question assesses the impact of life factors on back pain?
How is your job, social life, family life, stress affecting your low back pain?
What interviewing technique uses the patient’s own motivation?
Motivational Interviewing
What should you resist during patient interviews?
Resist urge to interrupt patient.
What should be the focus during motivational interviewing?
Be empathetic and focus on the patient, not your knowledge.
What is a red flag for malignancy related to age?
Age > 50
What is a red flag for malignancy related to medical history?
Prior history of cancer
What is a red flag for malignancy related to weight?
Unexplained weight loss
What is a red flag for malignancy related to pain?
Night pain not relieved by positional changes
What is a key symptom for detecting cauda equina?
Urinary retention
What is the first step in measuring lumbar ROM?
Palpate and mark S1 and T12
How do you measure true lumbar flexion?
Difference between readings at S1 and T12
What should you teach patients with a history of low back pain?
Better hip mobility
What correlates with hamstring tightness in low back pain patients?
Motion during forward bending
What is a key feature to observe in spinal rotation?
Symmetry between sides
How do you measure sidebending ROM?
Measure from the fingertips to the floor
What indicates a possible discogenic origin of pain?
Pain during sagittal repeated motions
What does pain during rotation suggest?
Facet joint pathology
What does SFMA stand for?
Selective Functional Movement Assessment
What is the significance of overpressure during ROM scan?
Improves ability to implicate specific structures
What should you look for in flexion/extension strength evaluation?
Core endurance and strength
What is the take-home message for teaching hip mobility?
Hamstring tightness is often caused by low back pain
What indicates the need for better hip mobility training?
Low lumbar-to-hip flexion ratio during bending
What should be noted during functional overhead squat analysis?
Look for hinging segments/skin creases
What is the purpose of the arms down deep squat?
Functional movement assessment; helps with patients with limited thoracic extension
What is tested at L1 in MRS evaluation?
Hip flexion