Lumbar Spine Flashcards
Name the five points to the Childs Lumbar Manipulation Clinical Prediction Rule
- Symptom Duration less than 16 days
- No Symptoms Distal to the Knee
- FABQ work subscale less than 19
- At Least 1 Hypomobile Lumbar Segment
- At Least 1 Hip with greater than 35 degrees of Internal Rotation
Describe Fryettes Law of Spinal Biomechanics
- In Cervical Spine, Side Bending and Rotation occur to the same side
- In Neutral Lumbar and Thoracic, Side Bending and rotation occur to opposite sides.
- In Extreme Flexion, Lumbar and Thoracic, Side Bending and Rotation occur to the same side
Atlas Joint, C0-C1 is known as the ____ Joint for what reason?
The Atlas is known as the “Yes” Joint, because it is responsible for much of the Cervical Spines Flexion and Extension
Axis Joint, C1-C2 is known as the ____ Joint for what reason?
The Axis is known as the “No” joint because it is responsible for much of the cervical spines Rotation
Abnormal Curvature of the Spine in the coronal plane is known as what?
Scoliosis if curvature > 10 degrees, if < 10 degrees is known as spinal asymmetry
How are the Fibers of the Annulus Fibrosus arranged?
In alternating perpendicular fibers arranged at 45 degree angle to the vertebral end plate
How does disk height account for the curvature of the spine?
Disks for Lumbar and Cervical Spine are Larger Anteriorly and in the Thoracic Spine are shorter Anteriorly
How does the disk receive nutrition?
Through diffusion. Uncharged solutes, such as glucose occur at the end plates, and negatively charged solutes through the annulus
What changes occur in the disk with aging
In youth, the nucleus has a lot of type II collagen, water, and proteoglycans. As you age, water and proteoglycans become less abundant and much of the type II collagen becomes type I collagen
What are relative loads placed on a disk in different postural positions
Lying Supine 0%, Lying on Side 25%, Standing 100%, Seated 145%, Standing with forward bend 150%, Seated with forward bend 180%
How are spinal roots named in relation to where they exit the spine?
In Cervical Spine, they are named for the Vertebrae below which they pass, in thoracic down, they are numbered for the vertebrae above them
How does spinal movement affect size of the intervertebral foramen
Flexion increases 24%, Extension Decreases 20%
What are the ratios of disk height to vertebral body height in the spine?
Cervical: 1:4
Thoracic 1:7
Lumbar 1:3
How much AROM in the C Spine do you need to perform ADL’s
65-70 degrees of Rotation and Flexion
What are the functions of the Intervertebral disk?
- Provides space and position for neuroforaminal enlargement.
- Permits, guides, and restrains motion in all directions
What position facilitates disk nutrition?
Side Lying with back flat or slightly curved, lying on back with knees bent and back flat. The first hour of sleep is when most diffusion occurs.
Describe the innervation of the disk
The recurrent sinu vertebral nerve and gray communicating ramus from the sympatetic chain innervate the first and perhaps the second layer of the Annulus.
What characteristics on MRI are most indicative of Discogenic Low Back Pain
Annular Tearing and Vertebral End Plate Damage
Describe Acute Synovitis/ Hemarthrosis and stiffness of the Facet Joint
Facet Joint strain and effusion causes inflammatory response at the joint, Muscle guarding occurs and as a result of guarding and healing, scar tissue is laid down and capsular tightness occurs
Describe a Mechanical Block at the Facet joint
Joint may become locked after stooping. Cause is torn meniscoid, free fragment of articular cartilage, roughness in joint surface with degeneration. Typically occurs in males at L4/5 and is painless
Describe Painful Capsular Entrapment at the Facet Joint
Occasionally with sudden movement, joint capsule can become painfully entrapped in the nearby facet joint. Treated with isometric contraction of multifidi or gappnig technique
Describe the source of pain with a dysfunctional disk
Typically only the outer 1-2 layers of the annulus are vascularized and innervated, however with the healing process from annular tearing comes more vascularization and with it, accompanying sympathetic nerves that can sensitize the disk and lead to increased pain.
At what levels is Cervical Spondylosis most common?
C5/6>C6/7 > C4/5 > C7/T1
At what levels does lumbar disk prolapse most commonly occur?
L4/5 > L5/S1 > L3/4 > L2/3 > L1/2
What are most common levels of dysfunction in Thoracic Spine
T1/2 > T12/L1 > T4/5
Describe Disk Protrusion
Annular Fibers are intact, can be localized or diffuse annular bulge
Describe Disk Herniation
Annular Fibers Disrupted.
- Prolapsed - Nucleus through inner annulus but still contained
- Extruded - Nucleus through outer layer of annulus
- Sequestered - Nucleus broken from disk and is is spinal or intervertebral canals
What is the incidence of disk herniation?
In Asymptomatic patients, incidence range from 24-50%
What are common causes of Lumbar Radiculopathy
Occur in Middle age, more common in men, and typically result of disk herniation
What are common causes of Cervical Radiculopathy
Occur later in life, more prevalent in females and most commonly a result of foraminal stenosis
What is most effective treatment for acute mechanical low back pain?
In Descending order
- Manipulation
- Patient Instruction
- Exercise
Describe innervation of facet joints
Branch of the posterior primary ramus innervates the joint capsule and branches to innervate the joint above and below as well
What are effects of Lumbar Stabilization exercise after diskectomy?
Increase muscle tone, endurance and decrease in pain
What are the most common structural changes of Spinal Stenosis
Facet Joint Arthrosis, Thickening of Ligamentum Flavum, Loss of disk height or bulging disk, and degenerative spondylolisthesis
How will most spinal stenosis patients present
Typically older than 50, long history of pain, postural dependent pain - worse with extension and better with flexion
How can Lumbar Stenosis be differentiated from Vascular Claudication
Postural Dependency - walking upright vs walking bent over or up hill. If pnt can walk further bent over, positive for Lumbar Stenosis.
What is most common functional deficit in individuals with Lumbar Stenosis?
Diminished Walking Tolerance
What is most common surgical intervention for lumbar stenosis
Decompression Laminectomy
Will Steroid injections help a patient with lumbar stenosis
Short term benefit may occur
What are best conservative treatment options for patients with Lumbar Stenosis?
Flexion oriented exercise, Traction, de-weighted treadmill walking