PAM Flashcards
Nerve Fiber types
C fibers (nociceptive)
-Small, unmyelinated (transmit slowly)
-Dull, achy, throbbing, burning
-Can be blocked by opiods
A-delta fibers (nociceptive)
-Small, myelinated (faster than C fibers)
-Sharp, localized, stabbing, or pricking
A-beta fibers (non-nociceptive)
-Large, myelinated (faster than A-delta or C fibers)
-Vibration, stretching of skin, mechanoreception
Pathway of the pain transmission
Dorsal horn of SC – up to thalmus via spinothalamic tracts – to sensory cortex to be processed as a conscious pain sensation
Gate Control Theory
A-alpha and A-beta provide input to these inhibitory interneurons. This can inhibit pain signals to the brain.
A-alpha and A-beta can be stimulated by electrical stimulation or massage.
Endogenous Opioid System
- opiopeptins (endorphins) bind to opioid receptors that inhibit pain signals
- inhibits by controlling amount of calcium and potassium that move into and out of cell during depolarization.
- also has an indirect effect on blocking GABA (GABA - inhibits A-beta)
Tolerable levels of topical preparations or TENS to create burning or prickling sensations stimulate the EOS for pain modulation
What is central sensitization
Facilitation of nociceptive impulses in CNS
Pain is real but no longer accurate to state of tissue
3 aspects
-Facilitation of synaptic transmission in spinal cord
-Inhibition of endogenous opioid system
-Altered processing of nociception in the brain
DTRs scale
O - absent
1+ - diminished
2+ - NORMAL
3+ - brisker than average
4+ - hyperactive
Modified Ashworth scale
0 - no increase in tone
1 - slight increase in muscle tone manifested by a catch and release at end of ROM
1+ - slight increase in muscle tone manifested by a catch and release less than halfway through the ROM
2 - more marked increase in muscle tone through most of ROM
3 - considerable increase in muscle tone, passive movement difficult
4 - affected part rigid
Types of heat transfer methods
- Conduction - direct contact (MHP, CP, paraffin)
- Convection - circulating medium; air or water moving in constant motion across body. (whirlpool, fluidotherapy)
- Conversion - non-thermal form of energy converted to heat (US and diathermy)
- Radiation - transfer of heat from energy source of higher temp to one of a lower temp (radiation lamp, laser, UV light)
- Evaporation - absorption of energy (vapocoolant spray)
Hunting response to cold
cycling between vasoconstriction and vasodilation occurs when exposure to cold for greater than 15 min (<35 deg F). Mostly occurs in distal appendages
Increased physiological responses to cryotherapy
Joint stiffness
Pain threshold (gate theory)
Increased blood viscosity
Muscle strength (for short duration 1-5 min) - facilitates alpha motor neuron
Decreased physiological responses to cryotherapy
Blood flow (vasoconstriction)
Capillary permeability
Decreased extensibility/elasticity of collagen
Decreased metabolism
Decreased in muscle spasm
Decrease in muscle strength
Decrease spasticity
Cryothearpy contraindication
Hypersensitivity - urticaria, hives, welts
Intolerance - severe pain, numbness, color changes
Cryoglobulinemia - aggregation of serum proteins distally
Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria - hemoglobin released into urine
Raynaud’s - digital cyanosis
Over regenerating peripheral nerves
Over area with circulatory compromise or PVD
Sequence of sensation with application of crytothearpy
Intense cold – burning – aching – analgesia – numbness
Cold Pack application
- shoulder be applied for ~20 min
- Remove jewelry.
- technically says used a moist towel
- Reaches 2cm deep
- Cold pack s can be applied every 1-2 hours for pain reduction and inflammation control.
- For spasticity – 30 min with inspection every 10 mins
Vapocoolant spray
- rapid cooling through evaporation
- most commonly used with trigger points (deep and hypersensitive localized spots in a m that cause referred pain pattern)
- Provides a counter-irritant stimulus to the cutaneous thermal afferent nerves that overlay the muscles…..causes reduction in motor neuron activity = decrease in resistance to stretch.
- Can help break cycle and allow the m to be stretched
- Process:
- 3-4 sweeps (proximal to distal…and only 1 direction) in the direction of the m fibers.
- 30 deg angle from skin
- 12-18 inches from skin
- Helpful with torticollis, neck or LBP caused by m spasms, acute bursitis, and hamstrings tightness.
Increased physiological responses to thermothearpy (heat)
Cardiac output (Increased blood flow)
Metabolic rate
pulse and respiratory rate
vasodialation
Edema
increased capillary pressure
Increase elasticity of tissue
Decreased physiological responses to thermotherapy (heat)
Decreased blood pressure
Decreased muscle activity (m spasm)
Decreased blood to internal organs
Blood flow to resting muscle
Decreased stroke volume
Decreased tone
Contraindications to thermotherapy (heat)
- Acute MSK trauma
- Arterial disease
- Bleeding or hemorrhage
- Over area of compromised circulation
- Over area of malignancy
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Thrombophlebitis
Hot pack time, temp, layers
Transmission: conduction
6-8 layers (hot pack covers are 2-3 layers)
Check within 5 mins
Total time: 15-20 mins
Temp: 158-167 deg in hydrocollator
- should not lay on it.
- Maximum surface temp is reached in 6-8 min….so must check during first 10 mins.
- don’t remove towel layers during the treatment session
- Must reheat 30 min in hydrocollator between uses (takes 2 hrs initially to heat in hydrocollator)
Paraffin bath
Transmission: conduction
* 6:1 to 7:1 ratio of paraffin wax to mineral oil ratio
* Glove method, immersion method, or pain method
* Time: 15-20 mins
* Temp: 113-122
* Best for small, irregularly shaped areas such as wrist, hand, foot for more even distribution of heat.
* Has a lower specific heat that allows the pts to tolerate better than water at the same temp
* Can’t be applied to area with open wound or infected skin lesions.
Dip-wrap (Glove method)
- place into bath and remove an let it harden
- re-dip 6-10 time
- the wrap with plastic bag and then towel wrapped around it
- 10-15 min
There is a paint application that is just pretty much like the above but the paraffin is painted on the extremity due to unable to place in paraffin for some reason. (Left on for ~20 mins)
Dip-Reimmersion (Immersion)
- Dip 6-10 times initially.
- Then put back in paraffin and keep in for the remainder (up to 20 mins)
- use lower head 113* and keep it off when hand is immersed.
Ice Massage
Transmission: conduction
treatment time 5-10 min or until analgesia.
Don’t go over bony areas or superficial nerves
Selecting sound head size for US? How fast should it move?
Select a sound head that has an ERA (effective radiating area) of 1/2 the size of the treatment area.
Don’t cover an area 2-3x the size of the ERA.
Move sound head ~1.5 inches/sec (slowly)
(according to PTFE exam 4cm/sec)
Acoustic streaming
Occurs with US. Movement of fluids along the boundaries of cell membranes.
May produce alteration in cell membrane activity
Increase cell wall permeability
Increase intracellular calcium
Increase macrophage response
Increase protein synthesis
Accelerate tissue healing
Attenuation
intensity decreases as it travels through material (in regards to ultrasound)
Reflection
Redirection of the beam occurring at tissue interfaces
Refraction
beam enters the tissue at one angle and continues at a different angle
Cavitation
- gas-filled bubbles and expand and compress secondary to pressure changes caused by the US
- Stable: oscillate in the size in response to pressure changes…but don’t burst
- Unstable: bubbles change in size over several cycles and then burst.
Coupling agent for US
- to decrease acoustical impedance
- Gels, gel pads, mineral oil, water, or lotions
Effective Radiating Area (ERA)
- area of the transducer that transmits US energy.
- it is always smaller than the total size of the transducer head.
Amount of treatments for US
- primarily dependent on the objectives
- Thermal effects: usually applied later in the healing process. It is most commonly administered 2-3x/week.
- Nonthermal effects: usually applied earlier in the healing process. As frequently as 1x/day.
- A positive response should be evident within 3 sessions
- Failure to see a positive response justifies a change of the US parameters or alternative interventions.
Indirect method of US. How it is performed, why it is performed…
Used for US irregular body parts
Plastic container due to less reflection of the sound waves
Keep the sound head in water and 1 cm from the skin surface.
Otherwise utilize the same as with direct contact.
Depth of penetration of US and which MHz does it pair with?
- This is considered the frequency
- higher frequency is absorbed more rapidly tan US through lower frequency.
3Mhz: Superficial 1-2.5cm deep (our book says 1-2)
1Mhz: Deep. up to 6cm deep (our book says 5)
Continuous US vs Pulsed US
Continuous US = thermal effects
Pulsed US = non thermal effects (<50% duty cycle; typically between 20-50%)
This is considered the duty cycle
Pizoelectrical effect
causes crystal to expand and contract
Thermal effects of US
Acceleration of metabolic rate
Alteration of NCV
Reduction of pain and spasm
Increased soft tissue extensibility
Increased circulation
Nonthermal effects of US
- Acoustic streaming - steady, circular flow of cellular fluids for transport
- Microstreaming - smaller scale of acoustic streaming
- Cavitation - formation, growth, and pulsation of gas filled bubbles
- Can promote tissue healing!
Absorption coefficient (which has highest and lowest)
Bone has highest, followed by tendon and cartilage
Blood and fat have the lowest
Intensity of US based on Frequency
1 MHz penetrates 5 cm, 1.5-2.5 W/cm^2
3 MHz penetrates 1-2 cm, 0.5-1.0 W/cm^2
Settings for US to increase extensibility of soft tissue shortening or pain control
Continuous
1 MHz, 1.5-2.5 W/cm^2
3 MHz, 0.5-1.0 W/cm^2
5-10 minutes
Settings for US for wound healing, tendon/ligament injuries, phonophoresis
20% duty cycle
3 MHz, 0.5-1.0 W/cm^2
3-10 minutes
Settings for US for bone fracture healing
20% duty cycle
1.5 MHz, 0.15 W/cm^2
20 minutes
Settings for US for carpal tunnel
Pulsed
1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm^2
5-15 minutes
Contraindications for US
Malignant tumor
Pregnancy (over abdomen, low back, pelvis)
Joint cement
Plastic components
Pacemaker
Carotid sinus
Thrombophlebitis
Eyes
Reproductive organs
Over CNS tissue
Infection
Precautions for US
Acute inflammation
Epiphyseal plates
Fractures
Breast implants
Potential adverse effect of US
Burns
Standing waves - blood cell stasis (effect of holding sound head stationary)
Cross contamination
Hydrostatic pressure
Pressure exerted by a fluid on a body immersed in a fluid
Pascal’s Law: Fluid exerts equal pressure on all surfaces of a body at rest at a given depth.
Pressure increased in proportion to the depth of the fluid
Buoyancy
- Upward force in opposite direction of gravity (when immersed in water)
WB % in water due to the buoyancy
Submerged to knees = 75% WB
Submerged to ASIS = 50% WB
Submerged to xiphoid process = 33% WB
Submerged to C7 vertebrae = ~10% WB
Viscosity
Magnitude of cohesive forces between molecules specific to liquid
Trigger point (2 types)
hyper-irritable spot in skeletal muscle that is associated with a hyper-sensative palpable noudle in a taunt band.
- Active TP: Active trigger point - produces local tenderness and pain, referral of pain or paresthesia to a distant site, and peripheral or central sensitization
- Latent TP: sensitive spot from which pain or discomfort is elicited by compression only
Effects of Dry needling
Normalizes excessive chemicals and pH
Restores local circulation
Reduces local and referred pain
Improves ROM
Decreased trigger point sensitivity
Mobilization Grades
Australian Techniques
Grade 1: 0-25% of range; decreases pain
Grade 2: 25-75% of range; decreases pain
Grade 3: 50-100% of range; increases mobility
Grade 4: 75-100% of range; increases mobility
Purpose/Effects of Mechanical/Manual Traction
Joint distraction
Reduction of disc protrusion
Soft tissue stretch
Muscle relaxation
Joint mobilizations
To achieve joint distraction with mechanical traction what are the parameters and what is the purpose?
Lumbar – 50% of Body weight – 25% for soft tissue stretch
Cervical – 7% of Body Weight (scorebuilders says 13-20%) – 7-10% for soft tissue
Won’t start at this weight but will have to gradually get to here for the effects.
Will cause a separation of the facet joint and open the intervertebral foramen which will relieve pressure on the nerve root, and decrease compressive forces on the facet
How to reduce of a disc protrusion with lumbar traction
Lumbar 60-120 lbs or ~50% body weight
Cervical 12-15 lbs.
separation of vertebral bodies occurs a higher forces causing a decrease in intradiscal pressure that causes a suction-like effect on the nucleus, drawing it back centrally.
To achieve soft tissue stretching with mechanical traction
Lumbar - 25% of body weight
Cervical - 12-15 lbs (7-10%)
stretching the surrounding spinal muscles, ligaments, tendons, and discs can decrease the pressure on the facet joints, nerve roots, and vertebral bodies without joint separation.
How to achieve muscle relaxation with mechanical traction
Lumbar - 25% of body weight
Cervical - 12-15 lbs
Intermittent - stimulates the mechanoreceptors through the active movement/motion
Static - inhibits the motor neurons from firing.
Maintaining 0-5 deg of cervical flexion during cervical traction is good for?
C1-C5 – increasing intervertebral space and joint separation
Maintaining 25-30 deg of cervical flexion during cervical traction is good for?
C5-C7 – increasing the intervertebral space and joint separation
Maintaining neutral spine of c spine for cervical traction is good for?
disc dysfunction…by neutral spine it means ~20 deg of cervical flexion
What is the difference in flexion versus more neutral with cervical traction?
Flexion = greater separation of the posterior structures (facets and intervertebral foramen)
Neutral = greater separation of anterior structures including the disk space.
How to determine the angle for the cervical traction?
C1-C5 = 0-5 deg of flexion
C5-7 = 10-20-35 deg of flexion (scorebuilders said up to 35*)
Determining treatment time for mechanical traction
5-10 min for acute conditions or disc protrusions or herniated discs
10-30 mins for all other conditions.
Determining Static vs intermittent traction
Static: for disc protrusions or when symptoms are aggravated by motion
Intermittent: disc protrusion and joint distractions. (or don’t tolerate static)
3:1 hold/rest ratio is recommended.
1:1 hold/rest ratio is recommended for mobility.
Supine vs Prone position for lumbar traction
Supine: goal to open up intervertebral foramen, separate the facet joints, or elongate the muscles
Prone: posterior herniated lumbar disc.
Angle of pull/ amount of hip flexion for lumbar traction
L5-S1: 45-60 deg hip flexion
L3-L4: 75-90 deg of hip flexion
Purpose of a tilt table
Stimulate postural reflexes to cutneract orthostatic hypotension
Facilitate postural drainage
Gradual loading of one or both LE
Begin active head or trunk control
Stretching for hip flexors, knee flexors, and PF.
Myofascial release
To release restrictions in myofascial tissues
Myofascial restrictions can produce tensile pressures of ~2,000 lbs per square inch
Relies on feedback from tissues
What is direct biofeedback and an example of?
provides accurate external information reflective of the internal biological process being monitored (HR monitor)
What is transformed biofeedback
provides external processed information representative of the internal biological process being monitored (EMG biofeedback)
What type of modality is infrared laser?
Elecromagnetic
Which phase of healing is characterized by lymphocytes supplying antibodies for an immune response?
Inflammation
What describes a tremor?
Low amplitude oscillations
Which are the interpretations consistent with Cyriax regarding mm testing that reveals a minor lesion of the MSK unit?
Strong and painful