MSK Cortex Regional Adult Orthopaedics - Spine & Upper Limb Flashcards
What is the treatment for “mechanical” back pain?
Analgesia and physiotherapy. Bed rest is not advised as this will lead to stiffness and spasm of the back
And acute disc tear can occur where?
In the outer annulus fibrosis of an intervertebral disc (which classically happens after lifting a heavy object)
When is pain characteristically worse in an acute disc tear?
On coughing (this increases disc pressure)
What is the treatment for an acute disc tear?
Analgesia and physiotherapy are the mainstay of treatment
Where is the commonest site of of a disc prolapse where a nerve root is impinged?
Lower lumbar spine with L4, L5 and S1 nerve roots causing sciatica
In the lumbar spine, when there is a disc prolapse and a nerve is impinged which of the higher or lower of the two vertebra in the effected segment is usually compressed?
Lower
Describe a L3/4 prolapse?
L4 root entrapment > pain down to medial ankle (L4), loss of quadriceps power, reduced knee jerk
Describe a L4/5 prolapse?
L5 root entrapment > pain down dorsum of foot, reduced power Extensor Hallucis Longus and tibialis anterior
Describe a L5/S1 prolapse?
S1 root entrapment > pain to sole of foot, reduced power planarflexion, reduced ankle jerks
What is the 1st line treatment for a nerve root compression?
Analgesia, maintaining mobility and physiotherapy (occasionally drugs for neuropathic pain can be used - gabapentin)
What is a bony nerve root entrapment?
OA of the facet joints resulting in osteophytes impinging on exit nerve roots
What is the treatment for bony nerve root entrapment in suitable candidates?
Surgical decompression, with trimming of the impinging osteophytes
How do the signs and symptoms of spinal stenosis differ from vascular claudication?
- Claudication distance is inconsistent
- Pain is boring (rather than cramping)
- Pain is less walking uphill (spine flexion creates more space for the caudal equina)
- Pedal pulses are preserved
What surgery may be performed for spinal stenosis if symptoms fail to improve with conservative management?
Decompression surgery to increase space for the caudal equina to help alleviate symptoms
What is cauda equina syndrome?
A very large central disc prolapse compressing all the nerve roots of the cauda equina
Prolonged cauda equina syndrome can cause what?
Permanent nerve damage requiring colostomy and urinary diversion
What are the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome?
- Bilateral leg pain, parasthesiae or numbness in a saddle pattern (saddle anaesthesia)
- Altered urinary function
- Altered bowel function
What is the management of caudal equina syndrome?
Urgent MRI to determine the level of prolapse and urgent discesctomy once the diagnosis is confirmed
What are the “red flags” in back pain?
- Back pain in the younger patient (<20 years)
- New back pain in the older patient (>60 years)
- Nature of pain - constant, severe, worse at night
- Systemic upset
What is an osteoporotic crush fracture?
In severe osteoporosis, spontaneous crush fractures of the vertebral body can occur leading to acute pain and kyphosis
What is the treatment for osteoporotic crush fractures?
Usually conservative, however, some clinicians have tried balloon vertebroplasty
What is cervical spondylosis?
Disc degeneration leading to increased loading and accelerated OA of the facet joints
What are the symptoms of cervical spondylosis?
Slow onset stiffness and pain in the neck which can radiate locally to shoulders and the occiput
Children with Down syndrome are at risk of developing an instability where in the vertebrae?
Atlanto-axial (C1/C2) with subluxation potentially causing spinal cord compression
What makes up the shoulder girdle?
Scapula
Clavicle
Proximal humerous
Supporting muscles including the deltoid and rotator cuff
Which muscles make up the rotator cuff?
Supraspinatus
Infraspinatus
Teres minor
Subscapularis
Where do the supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor attach?
Greater tuberosity
Where does the subscapularis attach?
Lesser tuberosity
What does the supraspinatus do?
Responsible for initiating abduction
What does the infrapinatus and teres minor do?
External rotation
What does the subscapularis do?
Is the principle internal rotator
Impingement syndrome causes a painful arc between which angles of abduction?
60 - 120 degrees