MSK- Spinal Cons Flashcards
What is spinal stenosis?
A condition that may be a normal finding on scans, often causing spinal pain or nerve symptoms.
What symptoms can spinal stenosis cause?
Spinal pain (neck or low back) and/or nerve symptoms.
What can central cord compression in the cervical spine cause?
Myelopathy.
What can central cord compression at the lumbar spine/sacral area cause?
Cauda equina syndrome.
How do symptoms of spinal stenosis change with movement?
Symptoms often improve with flexion activities and worsen with extension.
What are common management strategies for spinal stenosis?
Conservative management, physiotherapy, pain management strategies, and exercise.
What does spondylosis refer to?
A generic term for osteoarthritic changes within the spine.
What structures can be affected by spondylosis?
- Vertebrae
- Intervertebral discs
- Facet joints
- Joints of Luschka
- Ligamenta flavum
- Laminae
What are the risk factors for spondylosis?
Normal age-related changes.
What is Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD)?
A generic term for neck pain following sudden force acceleration/deceleration.
What are potential yellow flags for WAD?
Particularly if under an insurance claim.
What causes canal narrowing in spinal stenosis?
Osteophytes, disc herniation, thickening of ligaments, and tumours.
What is the typical presentation of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)?
Slow onset of back pain and stiffness, early-morning stiffness, and improvement with exercise.
What are the risk factors for Ankylosing Spondylitis?
- Genetic factors (family history, HLA-B gene)
- Gender (more common in men)
- Age (late adolescence)
Define spondylolisthesis.
Anterior translation of the superior vertebra relative to the inferior vertebra.
What are the grades of spondylolisthesis?
- Grade I: 0-25%
- Grade II: 26-50%
- Grade III: 51-75%
- Grade IV: 76-100%
- Grade V: >100% (spondyloptosis)
What are common management strategies for spondylolisthesis?
Conservative management in most cases; surgery may be needed for high grade and severe nerve compression.
What is non-specific spinal pain?
Pain that does not have a specific identifiable cause.
What percentage of spinal pain is considered non-specific?
90%.
What are red flags in spinal pain assessment?
- Myelopathy
- Cervical arterial dysfunction
- Malignancy
- Systemic inflammatory disorders
- Infections
- Fractures
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Osteoporosis
What is the main symptom of Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Back pain, often starting in the sacroiliac joint (SIJ).
What does NICE Guidelines state regarding imaging for spinal pain?
Most patients do not need imaging such as X-ray or MRI.
What is scoliosis?
An S-shaped curve in the spine that may or may not cause pain.
What are the risk factors for scoliosis?
- Genetics
- Not linked to bad posture, exercise, or diet.
