Spinal Pain Flashcards
What are the 3 types of spinal pain and percentages ?
- Red flags = 1-2%
- specific spinal pain = 5-10%
- Non-specific pain = 90%
Name some SPECIFIC low back pain pathologies
- ankylosing spondylitis
- spinal stenosis
- spondylosis
- spindylolythesis
- sclerosis
- whiplash associated disorders
Define Ankylosing Spondylitis, how it presents and how to manage it
Definition =
- inflammatory arthritis in the sacral iliac joint
- The body attack tissue not virus or pathogens
Presentation =
- Slow onset back pain
- Worse after rest
- weight loss
- effects tendons , eyes , lungs
Management =
- exercise
- medications (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs)
Define Spinal stenosis , it’s symptoms and management
Definition =
- canal narrowing
- central or foraminal
- due to ligaments, tumours, or disc Herniation
Can be a red flag if it is in cerviacal spine (myelopathy)
Or in the lumbar or sacral spine (cauda equine syndrome)
Symptoms = pain on extension , pain , loss of sensation
Management =
- advise
- education
- exercise / stretching
Spondylosis definition , symptoms , management
Definition=
- Osteoarthritis of all the spine
- Effects vertebral discs , facet joints , ligamentum flavum
- due to normal age related changes
Management :
- reassurance
- encourage movement
- increase ROM
- increase Strength
Spondylolythesis definition , risk factors , management
Definition:
- Anterior translation of disc
- graded 1-5
Risk factors :
- genetics
- trauma
- degeneration
Management:
- higher grade = surfer
- most = conservative management
- Pysio = ROM , Strength , Education
Sclerosis Definition , risk factors , management
Definition :
- ‘S’ shape curve of spine
- Linked to neuro conditions and genetics
Risk factors :
- can’t be prevented
- doesn’t get worse
Management:
- spinal fusion surgery
- can’t be cured
- ROM , decrease symptoms
Whiplash associated disorders - definition, symptoms , management
Definition :
- Generic term for neck pain caused by acceleration/deceleration
Symptoms :
- headache
- eye pain
- tennitis
- nausea
Management :
- education
- reassurance
- ROM , Stretches
- pain management
Non- Specific spinal pain
- not due to specific structures
- accumulation of problems
- joint , disc , muscles, tendons
- don’t offer MRI or X-ray
- don’t need a diagnosis
- ROM
- strength
- balance
- encourage normal activities
RED - flag pathologies
- myelopathy
- cervical artery dysfunction
- malignancy
- Deep vein thrombosis
- inflammatory conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis
- infections
- fractures
- RED-s
- cauda equina syndrome
Define Myelopathy and it’s symptoms
Definition :
- neurological dephecit due to spinal chord compression
- In cerviacal spine
Symptoms:
- muscle weakness
- altered muscle tone
- sensory loss
- spinal pain
Define cerviacal artery dysfunction , symptoms and risk factors
Definition:
Umbrella term for a range of vascular pathologies
Symptoms:
- drop attacks
- dysphasia
- dysarthria
- numbness
- nausea
- headaches
- cranial nerve dysfunction
- stroke
- blindness
- death
Risk factors :
- previous trauma to cerviacal spine
- high cholesterol
- diabetes
- lifestyle factors
Malignancy definition
Types of tumour
Definition :
- cancer due to uncontrolled cell division forming malignant tumours
Primary tumour = stay in one place
Secondary tumours = grow in different places due to cancer moving in blood stream
• Can cause metastatic spinal chord compression and can compress spinal cord to cause permanent paralysis
Symptoms:
- non mechanical pain
- constant night pain
- night sweats
- unexplained weight loss
Define deep vein thrombosis , causes , symptoms and risk factors
Definition =
- blood clot in the deep veins
- legs or pelvis
Symptoms =
- pain
- swelling
- redness
- enlarged veins
Causes =
- vessel injury
- Venus stasis
- hyper coagulability
Risk factors=
- age
- obesity
- hospitalised recently
Inflammatory conditions definition and symptoms
Definition :
- biological response to stimulus that may be harmful
- due to injury or infection
- immune system attacks body
Symptoms:
- chronic pain
- inflammation
- redness
- swelling
- stiffness
