Spine Flashcards
Kyphotic
Thoracic spine curvature
Lordotic
lumbar spine curvature
What are red flag symptoms for neck pain?
Midline tenderness of the c-spine following trauma
Persistent pain after blunt trauma
Neuro complaint associated
What are the red flag symptoms for low back pain?
-Age < 20 or > 50 years
-History of Cancer
-Unexplained Wt loss, fever, or decline in general health
-Pain >1 month; without success to treatment
-Pain at night or at rest
-Hx of IV Drug use, addiction, or immunosuppression
-Presence of active infection, HIV
Sciatica
Nerve root impingement L4-S1
Which test is positive in underlying disc disease
Straight leg raise test
Spinal Stenosis is improved with ________
forward flexion
What is the most common type of back pain?
nonspecific back pain
Saddle Anesthesia
Bladder/Bowel Incontinence
Neuro symptoms or progressive deficit
one of the few indications for a stat MRI
ROM at the C spine
Flexion (45 degrees); extension (45 degrees); lateral bending (40 degrees); rotation (70 degrees)
What muscles are involved in assessing cervical muscle strength?
sternocleidomastoid, trapezius
What is the spurling test?
assesses nerve root irritation.
Reproduction of the cervical radiculopathy symptoms is a positive sign of nerve root compression.
Assessing ROM of lumbar/thoracic spine
Flexion (75 to 90 degrees); hyperextension (30 degrees); lateral bending (35 degrees); rotation of upper trunk (30 degrees)
During palpation of the spine, NO _________ or _____________ should be noted
muscle spasm, spinal tenderness
What are disks?
“shock absorbers”, allow spine to curve/bend
