NSM 1 test 2 Flashcards
What causes piriformis syndrome?
Anomaly of sciatic/pirformis relationship, local trauma, hip or SI injury, Forcefull or prolonged external rotation of hip, twisting of foot with foot planted.
How will a patient with piriformis syndrome present?
buttock pain with possible diffuse referral to leg. Paresthesias in lower extermity. Pain with external rotation activities of hip.
What will sensory and motor loss be like with piriformis syndrome?
possible but usually not a single neurological level.
What is piriformis sign?
Persistent relative external rotation of involved hip due to piriformis contracture.
What will palpation be like for piriformis syndrome?
local tenderness and hypertonicity/contracture to palpation. Tendon over greater trochanter may be especially tender.
Name the ortho and neuro tests done for piriformis syndrome?
SLR, Lasegue’s, bonets, bragards, patrick’s faber, hibbs, Ely’s, sign of the buttock, knee to shoulder, trendelenburg, rhomberg.
Name 3 goals for treating piriformis syndrome?
- relieve local inflammation and congestion around piriformis and sciatic nerve. 2. Restore length to contractued muscle and treat myofacial trigger point components. 3. Reduce any complicating or predisopsing dysfunction.
How can you releive local inflammation and congestion around piriformis and sciatic nerve?
Cryotherapy, ice massage, alternating hot/cold, deep tissue massage, stretching, vibrator, ultrasound, electrotherapy, contract/relax techniques.
How can you restore length to contractured muscles and treat myofascial trigger point components?
digital (or elbow) compression. Stretching techniques, contract/relax techniques, specific exercise, heat, postural advice.
How can you reduce complicating or predisoping dysfunctions seen with piriformis sydnrome?
Treat SI, lumbosacral, hip, lower extremity, leg length problems. Beware side-posture manipulations that may aggravate the piriformis.
IVD syndrome is what?
Intradiscal block.
How will IVD syndrome develop?
acute trauma; unexpected or forcefull load producing annular fissuring and minor protrusion. Repetitive; abnormal rotation or shear stress producing fissuring and minor protrusion.
IVD syndrome is similar to what?
Posterior joint syndrome (facet syndrome).
Disc derangement is aka?
Internal disc disruption.
What % of low back pain is from injured lumbar discs?
40%.
What will take longer to heal strain/sprain or disc syndromes?
Disc syndromes.
What will pain be like with disc derangement?
chronic low back pain, buttock pain. Pain is deep in lumbar region. If leg pain is present it is a late finding and is not dermatomal.
Disc derangement might be associated with what?
trauma like heavey lifting.
What might aggravate the pain with disc derangement?
Rotation, flexion, and or side bending.
What is the primary complaint with disc derangement?
Sitting intolerance.
What might centralize a disc derangement patients pain?
Repetitive end range loading usually in extension.
What will paraspinal muscles be like with disc derangement?
Tenderness may be absent.
What is the disc thining like with disc derangement?
there is no disc thining.
What will CT, X-ray and MRI’s be like with disc derangements?
CT, and X-ray’s are normal but MRI will show annular tears.
What are the pertinent negatives with disc derangement?
no radiculopathy, no positive tension signs, no neurological deficits, IF the MRI is normal it completely rules out this condition.
What are some conservative treatment considerations for disc derangments?
a trial of manual therapy, flexion distraction therapy, aggressive lumbar stabilization program with strict activity modification. Emphasize extension oriented Tx.
What are some aggressive treatment options for disc derangments?
spinal fusion, intradiscal electrothermal therapy.
Lumbar disc herniations will most commonly occur to who?
age 20-40 and twice as common in males.
What is the most common level for a Lumbar disc herniation?
L4-5 and L5-S1 levels.
Lumbar disc herniations are a common source of what disability?
Social security disability and has a significant economic impact.
What are some risk factors for Lumbar disc herniation?
smoking, sitting professions, vibration, and bending/twisting activities, obesity. Also genetic and auto-immune factors.
How will Lumbar disc herniation first start?
gradual long-term breakdown of annular fibers often seen with progressive episodes of low back pain.
How often will a lumbar disc herniation be from a single sudden traumatic event?
Rarely.
What usually will happen when a Lumbar disc herniation is first noticed?
Usually noticed after a trivial event like bending/twisting unguarder movement.
What will the pain be like for a lumbar disc herniation?
Deep low back pain and leg pain (if radicular symptoms are present). Increased when sitting, dejerine’s triad, activity. Relieved by recumbency.
What is a medial herniation?
It is one that is medial to the nerve root.
What will leg pains be like with a lumbar disc herniation?
Sclerotomal and dermatomal and may take several days to develop and may last longer than the back pain.
What is a classical antalgic positions for a patient with a posterolateral lumbar disc herniation?
Flexion and lateral bending away from the herniation and radicular pain.
What is a classical antalgic positions for a patient with a posteromedial lumbar disc herniation?
Flexion and lateral bending toward herniation and radicular pain.
What things are favorable factors when seen with a lumbar disc herniation?
Large extrusion or sequesteration, absence of spinal stenosis, >50% reduction in leg pain in the first 6 weeks, motivated to recover, good fitness level.
What things are unfavorable factors when seen with a lumbar disc herniation?
Positive crossed SLR, Leg pain produced by spinal extension.
What will the posture of a patient with lumbar disc herniation be like?
antalgic posture if acute.
What will an exam be like for a patient with lumbar disc herniation?
Neurologicla deficits (diminished DTRs, Dermatomal sensory and motor loss), Reduced Lumbar lordosis.
What are the goals with treatment of a lumbar disc herniation?
reduce pain, inflammation and intradiscal pressure. Decompress, retract, or reposition disc hernation if possible. Alleviate associated posterior joint locking and segmental muscle spasms. Promote healing, Surgical removal.
How can we get pain, inflammation and intradiscal pressure to be reduced when treating a patient with Lumbar disc herniation?
Cryotherapy, ultrasound, electrotherapies, traction, NSAIDS, lumbosacral support, crutches.
How can we decompress, retract or reposition a disc herniation (If possible)?
Flexion/distraction mobilization (COX therapy). Extension mobilization (McKenzie therapy). Side posture rotation mobilization or manipulation.
What is the important part of flexion/ distraction mobilization for disc herniation?
Flexion is so the distraction can be localized to the problem, but distraction is the key.
When would extension mobilization be helpful for disc herniation?
More effective in less severe cases.
How can we alleviate associated posterior joint locking and segmental muscle spasms seen with disc herniations?
Flexion mobilization, side posture adjusting.
How can we promote healing of a herniated disc?
Nutritional support, Rest and controlled activites. PROM.
What is the standard surgical treatment for a herniated disc?
Microsurgical removal of nucleus.
In general with all treatment plans for disc herniations how should they be done?
Monitor patients tolerance and response carefully.
What is discogenic spondylosis?
DJD without herniation.
What would X-ray findings of discogenic spondylosis be?
disc thinning, endplate sclerosis, vacuum phenomenon, hypertrophic changes, spondyloarthrosis (facets).
What vectors should CMT be done in for a disc herniation?
Reproduce antalgic or centralizing vectors.
Cauda equina syndrome is typically caused by what?
midline lumbar disc herniation.
What are some signs that a patient has cauda equina syndrome?
Incontinence, diminished sexual function, saddle paresthisa, diminished anal spincter tone, uni- or bilateral sciatica, altered SLR, sensory or motor deficits.
A central spinal stenosis is aka?
intermittent neurogenic claudication.
What can cause a central spinal stenosis?
Spondylosis (vertebral fusion), spondyloarthrosis, midline disc herniation or bulge, proliferation of ligamentum flavum, congenital factors.
What will a patient with central spinal stenosis present like?
Inconsistent pattern of leg pain and other symtoms with possible back pain.
What will leg pain be like central spinal stenosis?
Increased with activity and may resemble vascular claudication.
Central spinal stenosis exams may only be evident after what?
walking exercise.
What will palpation be like for central spinal stenosis?
local to minimal pain and may be increased with deep joint play.
What will ROM be like for central spinal stenosis?
possible limited Extension, with increased symptoms during sustained extension (30 seconds).
What will SLR test be like for central spinal stenosis?
usually negative unless symptoms are active.
What is the normal age for a patient with central spinal stenosis?
over 55 or more commonly over 65.
What will the gait be like for central spinal stenosis?
wide gait.
Will there be pain while sitting with central spinal stenosis?
No.
What walking be like with central spinal stenosis?
Leg symptoms aggravated by walking, bu It will be improved with spinal flexion.
Central spinal stenosis diagnosis can only be made after what?
Confirmed by a CT or MRI.
What is the normal size of the spinal cannal like?
Large in cervicals, smaller in thoracics, large in lumbar and sacrum.
What size will the spinal cannal be for it to be considered a stenosis?
less than or equal to 10 mm.
The normal thoracic spinal cannal will be on average how wide?
around 14 mm at the smallest part.
The next few questions will ask if things will be present with neuro and/or vascular claudication?
OK
Back pain?
Neuro only.
Leg pain?
Neuro- proximal. Vascular- distal.
Activity?
neuro- variable. Vascular- fixed.
Posture relief?
Neuro- increased extension. Vascular- no change.
Senosry?
Neuro only.
Motor?
Neuro only.
Bloop pressure, pulse?
Vascular only.
Trophic changes?
Vascular only.
Name the types of treatment for spinal stenosis?
flexion/distraction mobilization (COX therapy), flexion CMT, improve segmental motion as needed, Traction, Williams exercises, abdominal exercises, aerobic exercise, Improve vasular health, weight loss, Yoga, Tai Chi.
How will improveing vascular health help with spinal stenosis?
reduce edema and fluid retention.
What are some ways to improve vascular health?
Fish oils, primrose oil, vitamin E and C, L-carnitine, garlic, ginko, glucosamine/ chondroition sulfate.
What will surgery be like for spinal stenosis?
Epidural steroid injection, surgical decompression.
What can cause a lateral stenosis and what is it aka?
aka lateral recess syndrome. Spondylosis, joint subluxation, congenital factors.
What will a patients history be like that has lateral stenosis aka lateral recess syndrome?
variable and inconsistent pattern. Leg pain is typically unilateral and aggravated by weight bearing.
What is a clue that a patient might have lateral stenosis aka lateral recess syndrome?
Radiculopathy in older patients with DJD.
What is palpation like for a patient with lateral stenosis aka lateral recess syndrome?
local pain increased with joint play and deep pressure.
What is ROM like for a patient with lateral stenosis?
Painful and limited in extension and lateral flexion and rotation towards involved side.
What are some orthopedic tests we can do for lateral stenosis?
SLR, Bragards, bowstrings, kemps, valsalva.
What will treatment be like for lateral stenosis?
CMT in pain-free direction, emphasize flexion, stabilization tracts.
What are transitional segments?
Extra vertebrae like L6.
What is tropism?
Asymetrical facet.
Where is tropism most common?
L5-S1.
What is Baastrup’s disease?
Lumbar Sp’s rest on eachother.
What is spina bifida occulta?
A minor lack of a neural arch.
What is spondylolisthesis?
Congenital defect at posterior facets or neural arch.
Name 5 types of spondylolisthesis?
- spondylolysis. 2. Isthmic. 3. Degenerative. 4. Post traumatic. 5. Pathologic.
What is Isthmic?
Spondylolysis- degeneration of articular part of vertebrae.
What are the 3 types of isthmic aka spondylolysis?
- Lytic- most common. 2. Elongation- pars. 3. Acute- rare trauma leading to fracture of the pars.
What will a patient be like that has spondylolisthesis?
Acute antalgia to asymptomatic. Back pain usually predominated with occasional sclerogenic or radicular leg pain. Symptoms often associated with te adjacent superior segment.
What will posture be like for a patient with spondylolisthesis?
Increased lordosis.
What will ROM be like for a patient with spondylolisthesis?
Limited and painful into extension.
What will the treatment goals be for treating spondlyolisthesis?
Improve dynamics, pain control in acute exacerbations, increase musclar fitness and local regional muscular support.
What would CMT be like for spondylolisthesis?
Side posture, Knee-chest, prone, supine.
When should surgery be done with spondylolisthesis?
If progressive.
What is scoliosis?
A lateral curvature of the spine with rotational component as well.
What are the 2 types of scoliosis?
Structural (rigid), functional (non-rigid).
What will be some things to ask in a history of a patient with scoliosis?
Was it associated with trauma. When was onset. What is the progression like since onset. Sex, age. Family history.
How should an observation examination be done on a patient with scoliosis?
Plumb line evaluation. Record any asymetries. Adams test. Leg length evaluation.
What is Adams test?
Have patient flex down and measure scoliosis and a scoliometer may be used, 7 degrees is threshold for referral at school screenings.
What are 3 types of non-structureal scoliosis?
- Compensatory. 2. Postural. 3. Transient.
What will a compensatory scoliosis be like?
Leg length inequality, Pelvic subluxation with pelvic unleveling, anatomical symmetry.
What will a postural scoliosis be like?
Musclar imbalance, handedness,habitual, physiological (stress increases muscle spasms and increases scoliosis).
What will a transient scoliosis be like?
antalgic, inflammatory, traumatic, psychogenic, radiculopathy.
How is a scoliosis named?
By the convex side.
What type of scoliosis could be found with an iliac crest that is low on the left side?
a right scoliosis.
What is lovett positive? What is Lovett negative?
Positive- Right scoliosis where Sp’s deviate on concavity side of scoliosis. Negative- right scoliosis where SP’s deviate on the convexity side.
What is Lovetts static?
A right scoliosis where SP’s do not deviate.
What is Lovetts failure?
No scoliosis and no SP deviation, but the sacral base is not level.
What is Lovett Excess?
A lovett positive (SP’s deviate to concavity), but 40 degrees instead of the normal 20 degrees.
What is lovetts reverse?
A left scoliosis with no SP deviation.
What causes a loevett failure?
Left Quadratus lumborum spasm.
What causes a lovett excess?
Left psoas spasm/instability.
What is the ideal Scoliosis posture?
Lovett positive.
What causes a loevett negative?
Severe Right psoas spasm.
With a right scoliosis what will the adams test be like?
A posterior bulge of the right ribs.
Name 8 types of stuctural scoliosis?
- Idiopathic. 2. Congenital. 3. neuromuscular. 4. Neurofibromatosis. 5. Mesenchymal disorders. 6. Trauma. 7. Vertebral neoplasm. 8. Metabolic.
What is the normal scoliosis curve for a idiopathic (genetic scoliosis)?
Right throacic curve if it is a left curve this is a red flag.
What could be a cause of a left scoliosis?
Neurological caused.
What % of idiopathic scoliosis will start at infant, juvenilie (3-10), or adolescent (10- skeletal maturaty)?
Infant- 1%. Juvenile- 9%. Adolescent- 90%.
What causes congenital scoliosis?
Vertebral and extravertebral abnormalities. PROBABLY NOT GENTIC (don’t tell Kaminski).
What are the 2 types of vertebral abnormalites that can lead to congenital scoliosis?
- Closed- No posterior element defect. 2. Open- posterior element defect. Both of these include things like spina bifida and hemivertebrae.
What Are some extravertebral abnormalities that can lead to a congenital scoliosis?
Congenital rib fusion. Sprengel’s deformity. Klippel feil.
What are things that are neuromuscluar causes of congenital scoliosis?
neuropathic- UMNL and LMNL, spinal cord trauma. Myopathic- progressive and static.
What is neurofibromatosis?
AKA von recklinghausen’s disease and is a cause of congenital scoliosis.
What are some mesenchymal disorders that can lead to congenital scoliosis?
Congenital diseases like Marfans, ehlers-danlos dwarfism. Aquired mesenchymal disorders like RA. Other mesenchymal disorders like scheurmanns, and osteogenesis imperfecta.
What are some metabolic disorders that can lead to congenital scoliosis?
Rickets, Osteogenesis imperfecta.
What is the most common type of congenital scoliosis?
Idiopathic scoliosis.
What type of people are most likely to get infantile (<3) idiopathic scoliosis?
Common in England and Northern Europe. Rare in America. Males > females.
What type of scoliosis is most common with infantile idiopatic scoliosis?
Left thoracic curve.
What is the typical outcome of infantile idiopathic scoliosis?
80-90% resolve spontaneously without treatment.
Who is most likely to get Juvenile (3-10) idiopathic scoliosis?
Males= females.
What is the type of scoliotic curve is most common with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis?
A right thoracic curve- very progressive.
What is the teatment like for juvenile idiopathic scoliosis?
Milwaukee brace (30-60 degree curve) 1-2 years and then part time and this has excellent results.
Who is most likely to get Adolescent (age 10 - skeletal maturaty) idiopathic scoliosis?
10 degree curve- females > males by 6:1.
How many females with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis will have a persistent curve?
70%.
How will one get adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?
Genetic autosomal dominant pattern. Multifactorial.
Who will pass adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to the kids?
Mother- to son or daughter. Father- passes to daughter.
What % of people with 1 parent who has adolescent idiopathic scoliosis will get the same disease? What about 2 parents?
1- 30%. 2- 40%.
What will the first, second, thrid and fourth most common curve be like for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?
Right thoracic curve T5-12 is most common. 2nd most common is a left lumbar and right thoracic. 3rd most common is thoracolumbar. 4th- right lower thoracic and left upper thoracic.
A curve of less than what will a large majority of the time not progresses with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?
Less than 30 degrees.
What makes a curve the primary scoliotic curve Vs. a secondary?
Primary is most rigid and longest and earliest onset.
What is a Risser sign and what will it show?
A grading system of the epiphysis of the ASIS and will be from 0-5+. It gives you an idea of skeletal maturaty.
What is a COBB angle?
Measure the superior end plate of the upper vertebrae in a scoliosis and then measure the inferior end plate of the lower vertebrae in a scoliosis and get the angle of these lines.
How will a COBB angle change throughout the day?
10-20 degrees difference in A.M. vs. P.M.
Besides geneticaly inheriting idiopathic scoliosis what causes it?
MRI’s have shown brainstem abnormalities, abnormal vestibular funciton, altered proprioception, learning disabilities have been seen. Greater vascularity in left breast and costosternal junction, increased EMG activity on convex side, muscle fiber differences, altered collagen, A LOT OF CNS PROBLEMS.