Spinal Assesssment/Disease Flashcards
5 important questions for spinal assessment
- Is there a neurological problem?
- Where is the problem?
- What is the severity of the problem?
- What is the problem?
- What is the appropriate treatment and prognosis?
how are a reflex and a response different?
reflexes are involuntary where responses are voluntary (higher cerebral integration)
mental status levels
- Alert
- Depressed
- Stuporous
- Comatose
gait assessment factors
- Ambulatory?
- Ataxic?
- Paresis/plegic? (voluntary motor function)
List 6 types of postural reactions
- Conscious proprioception: knuckling, paperslide
- Hopping
- Extensor postural thrust
- Wheel barrowing
- Placing reaction: tactile/visual
- Hemi- standing/walking
UMN reflexes are
increased
LMN reflexes
decreased/absent
LMN signs
- Reflexes: decreased/asbent
- Voluntary motor: decreased/absent
- Tone: decreased/absent
- Atrophy: severe, rapid, neurogenic
UMN signs
- Reflexes: increased
- Voluntary motor: decreased/absent
- Tone: increased
- Atrophy: slow, disuse
4 basic functional spinal segments
Cervical C1-C5
Cervical intumescence C6-T2
Thoracolumbar T3-L3
Lumbar intumescence L4 - Cd5
UMN of FL + UMN of HL indicates segment?
C1-C5
LMN of FL + UMN of HL indicates segment?
C6- T2
Normal FL + UMN HL indicates?
T3-L3
Normal FL + LMN HL indicates?
L4 - Cd5
3 spinal reflex groups
- myotatic (stretch)
- withdrawal (flexors)
- misc/other
HL myotatic reflex tests
patellar, sciatic, cranial tibial, common peroneal, gastrocnemius
FL myotatic reflex tests
extensor carpi radialis, triceps, biceps
perform a flexor/withdrawal test
- least noxious stim to foot to elicit withdrawal (reflex NOT response)
list 3 misc spinal reflexes
- perineal reflex
- panniculus
- crossed extensor reflex
absence of the pannicular reflex indicates a lesion…
2 vertebrae cranial to where reflex reappears
Grade 1 spine
painful only - no neuro deficits