Spinal Red Flags

Question 1

What are the signs of spinal infection?

Answer 1

Fever
Spinal pain
neuro disturbance
IVDU

Question 2

Red flags for fracture

Answer 2

Prolonged steroid use
Hx of OP
Severe trauma
Minor trauma in elderly
Female gender

Question 3

Red flags for myelopathy

Answer 3

Gait and balance disturbance
Fine motor disturbance
Sensory disturbance bilateral
Hyperreflexia

Question 4

What red flag should be considered with a “bilateral carpal tunnel” presentation

Answer 4

Cervical myelopathy

Question 5

List common visceral symptoms (5)

Answer 5

Sudden onset
Abdominal or chest pain
Collapse or fainting
Hypotension
Aggs may not be present

Question 6

List the 7 signs and symptoms of Axial SPa

Answer 6

1. Age younger than 40
2. Symptoms
3. Prolonged morning stiffness
4. Night pain
5. Alternating buttock pain
6. Improves with movement, not rest
7. Better with NSAID’s

Question 7

What is the vertebral artery test

Answer 7

Full sustained rotation, ?adding some extension

Question 8

What is the sensitivity and specificity of CAD pre screening test

Answer 8

Sensitivity: low
Specificity: ?moderate 67-100%