Spinal Fracture Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

The spine acts to stabilise 3 forces, Which of the following is NOT one of these forces?

1 - distraction
2 - rotation
3 - torsion
4 - compression

A

2 - rotation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Most spinal fractures occur in the thoracic and lumbar region of the spine. What % of spinal fractures occur at the the thoracolum,bar region of the spine?

1 - 5%
2 - 15%
3 - 20%
4 - 50%

A

4 - 50%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Most spinal fractures occur in the thoracic and lumbar region of the spine. But what % of spinal fractures occur at the the cervical region of the spine?

1 - 5%
2 - 15%
3 - 20%
4 - 50%

A

3 - 20%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Are men or women more likely to have a spinal fracture?

A
  • men
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the average age of a spinal fracture?

1 - 10 y/o
2 - 30 y/o
3 - 50 y/o
4 - >65 y/o

A

2 - 30 y/o

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

It is important to identify neurological impairments in patients with a spinal fracture to ensure that treatment can be provided and spinal cord injury can be assessed.

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Are spinal cord fractures of the vertebral body generally stable or unstable?

A
  • stable
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Are fractures affecting the space for the spinal cord stable or unstable?

A
  • always considered unstable until proven otherwise
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Patients with osteoporosis have an increased risk of spinal fracture. What % of women have osteoporosis?

1 - 3%
2 - 15%
3 - 30%
4 - 65%

A

3 - 30%

  • women are generally more affected
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which of the following is the most common type of fracture of the vertebrae in patients with osteoporosis?

1 - Compression
2 - Burst
3 - Flexion-distraction
4 - Fracture-dislocation.

A

1 - Compression

  • affects 1.5 million Americans annually
  • generally involves vertebral body and is therefore stable
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the most common site for a osteoporotic vertebral fracture?

1 - C1-C2
2 - T2-T4
3 - T11-T12
4 - S1-S2

A

3 - T11-T12

  • this is the thoracolumbar junction, which is the most common site for all spine fractures
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

All of the following can occur following an osteoporotic spinal fracture, EXCEPT which one?

1 - chronic/acute pain and reduced QoL
2 - reduced risk of falls and fractures
3 - increased mortality
4 - increase incidence of new fractures

A

2 - reduced risk of falls and fractures

  • there is an increased risk of falls
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What age does peak bone density generally occur?

1 - 12-18 y/o
2 - 18-29 y/o
3 - 30-35 y/o
4 - 40-50 y/o

A

2 - 18-29 y/o

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Does the density of spongy (cancellous) bone increase or decrease in osteoporosis?

A
  • decreases
  • makes the bones weak and brittle
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Does estrogen increase or decrease the risk of osteoporosis?

A
  • decreases
  • estrogen is protective, thats why older women experience it more following menopause
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Spinal cord fracture can be caused by a myriad of things. Which of the following would NOT be a spinal cause differential?

1 - Osteoporotic fracture
2 - Metastatic disease
3 - Primary bone pathology
4 - Leukaemia

A

4 - Leukaemia

17
Q

Spinal cord fracture can be caused by a myriad of things. Which of the following would NOT be a spinal cause differential?

1 - Aortic aneurysm (dissecting)
2 - Urinary tract infection, urinary calculi
3 - Pancreatitis, cholecystitis, duodenal ulcer
4 - Prostatitis
5 - Gynaecological – e.g. endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy
6 - testicular torsion

A

6 - testicular torsion

18
Q

When investigating if a patient has a spinal cord injury we measure all of the following EXCEPT:

1 - FBC
2 - U&Es
3 - CRP/ESR
4 - alkaline phosphotase
5 - LFTs

A

5 - LFTs

19
Q

How many views are generally taking in any X-ray including a patient with a suspected spinal fracture?

1 - 4
2 - 3
3 - 2
4 - 1

A

3 - 2

20
Q

Which imaging modality is generally 1st choice in spinal fractures?

1 - X-ray
2 - MRI
3 - CT
4 - DEXA

A

1 - X-ray

  • CT and MRI may be able to detect small fracture and pathology
  • DEXA would be used following X-ray in someone at risk of osteoporosis
21
Q

If a spinal fracture is left untreated, is this ok?

A
  • depends on the patients stability
  • HOWEVER an untreated fracture can lead to deformity
22
Q

A stable spine fracture is typically one that affects the body of the vertebrae. Which of the following is NOT typically a management approach of this type of fracture?

1 - Analgesia
2 - Physiotherapy
3 - Movement
4 - Steroid injections
5 - Bracing

A

4 - Steroid injections

  • acute surgery is rarely performed
23
Q

An unstable spine fracture is typically one that affects the vertebral arch. This generally requires specialist input but would be treated using:

1 - surgery
2 - bracing

A
24
Q

What is a spinal fracture?

1 - damage to the spinal cord
2 - damage to the spinal cord and vertebrae
3 - damage to the vertebrae

A

3 - damage to the vertebrae