Scenario 20: Betty's Sore Back Flashcards
What is sway back?
Hips sway forwards and overextend so chest collapses inwards increasing the thoracic kyphosis and the neck and neck scoops to create a poking chin. The overall result brings the head back in line with the pelvis but creates a sharp angle at the lower part of the spine
What is a compression fracture of the vertebral column?
Direct loading of the spine combined with flexion or extension when the spine is overloaded or weakened (e.g. by osteoporosis). Most common type of fracture and occurs most frequently in the thoracic region
What is the ankle position during swing phase?
It moves into dorsiflexion until the forefoot is clear off the ground and then the neutral position is adopted prior to heel contact
What is the function of levator scapulae?
Elevates the scapula
What is needed from muscles in the running gait cycle?
Must generate more power both to raise the HAT higher and to balance and support HAT. Muscles and joints must absorb increased energy generated.
What is flat back?
Often people do this to conceal size of buttocks and breasts. Knees are flexed when standing and shoulders are stooped over. Causes loss of lumbar lordosis
Which are the intermediate intrinsic muscles of the back (the erector spinae)?
Iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis
How may the vertebra be injured by over-flexion?
The vertebra is displaced forward of the adjoining vertebra, usually occurs in lower area of the neck. May be bi or unilateral
Describe the annulus fibrosus
Highly ordered lamellae of collagen type I. Thicker anteriorly and more tightly packaged posteriorly.
What is the function of rotatores?
Stablises vertebral column
What is ideal posture?
Shoulders back and down, abdominal wall in good tone and kept straight, neck should be straight but not rigid, the head should be aligned. If there was a vertical line drawn through the body it should go through the mastoid process, just in front of the shoulder, through the hip joint, just in front of knee joint and 5cm in front of ankle joint.
What is the function of the pedicles of the vertebra?
They connect the posterior elements of the vertebra and the body of the vertebra. The posterior elements are adapted to resist twisting or sliding forces which are channeled toward the body by pedicles so resist unwanted movements
What is the ankle position at heel contact?
Neutral, heel slightly inverted, foot slightly supinated
What are the features of sacral vertebrae?
Fuse at 25 years, an upside down triangle with apex pointing inferiorly
What is the function of multifidus?
Stabilises vertebral column and rotates
What brings the knee and hip joints into line so that the hip joint is closer to the centre of gravity?
The valgus angle of the femur
Which ligament of the vertebra is stretched in extension?
Anterior longitudinal ligament
How do children walk up until the age of about 2?
They walk on a wider base, have no reciprocal arm swinging, no proper heel strike as they plant the foot flat on the ground, have straight knees and laterally rotated legs
What are the inertial forces?
Arise from the inertial properties of the body segments and is proportional to but in the opposite direction of acceleration.
What is the function of the rhomboids?
Retract and rotate scapula
Describe the nucleus pulposus
The consistency of toothpaste, a few cartilage cells and collagen fibres. The fluid nature allows it to be deformed.
Where does the centre of pressure move during gait?
Moves from posteriorly at the ankle to the ball of the foot anteriorly
What are the horse tail nerves?
Those which branch from the lower part of the spinal cord, lumbar and sacral
What are the features of the cervical vertebrae?
2 foramen for spinal nerves, bifurcating spinous process (not C7) triangular vertebral foramen
What are the 5 stance phases?
Heel strike, foot flat, midstance (body weight over supporting limb) heel off, toe off
How many cervical vertebrae are there and which are palpable?
7, with only C7 being palpable
How many sacral vertebrae are there?
5
What are the external forces present in stance phase?
Inertia, gravity and ground reaction forces
What are the symptoms of spondylolisthesis?
Painless in children but in adults causes backache made worse by exercise. There is a classic scottie dog and collar fracture seen on x-ray.
How can nucleus extrusion or annulus protrusion occur?
A bending movement stretches and thins the annulus reducing it’s strength. If a compression force is simultaneously applied the pressure is raised in the nucleus and it can herniate or the annulus may collpase outwards
What does horizontal trabeculae loss with old age cause?
Buckling of the vertebrae
What is the function of latissimus dorsi?
Extends, adducts and medially rotates upper limb
What is the function of iliocostalis, longissimus and spinalis?
Unilaterally flexes vertebral column, bilaterally extends vertebral column and head
What is the period of double support in gait?
Occurs in walking when the lower extremity of one side is beginning its stance and the other extremity is ending it
Which are the deep intrinsic muscles of the back?
Semispinalis, multifidus, rotatores,
What is lacking in the gait cycle of running compared to walking?
There is no period of double support so there are float periods
What allows the knee joint to absorb shock?
The trabecular pattern ensures the forces are transmitted over the whole surface of the knee joint and the menisci increase the shock absorbing qualities of the knee
How can the vertebral column undergo trauma?
Via compression, distraction, over flexion and extension, rotation or by shear direct trauma
What is the function of serratus posterior inferior?
Depresses ribs 9-12
What is the function of the vertebral end plate?
Form a permeable barrier between the nucleus and the bone through which water and nutrients may pass. Mechanically they prevent the nucleus bulging into the vertebral body
What are the features of lumbar vertebrae?
Largest of all the vertebrae, large kidney shaped vertebral bodies, triangular foramen
What is the function of trapezius?
Elevates and rotates scapula
How does osteopenia affect the hip joint?
Cause weakness of bone and may lead to failure of the hip joint
What is the function of the ligamentum flavum of the vertebra?
Formed of elastic tissue, this ligament permits the separation of lamina during flexion but that the same time halts it to prevent it reaching its limit too quickly protecting the disc from injury
What are the features of the thoracic vertebrae?
Two demi facets for articulation with the rib inferior to it. A circular vertebral foramen, spinous processes slanted anteriorly and inferiorly
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5