spine Exam Flashcards by Brian Bradway

What should be assessed for in a spine exam

pain
stiffness
perceived loss of ROM
distal neurological findings

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is important to ask with pain with spinal exam

localized or diffuse
worse with activities or position
how long has been around

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is important to ask with associated symptoms with spinal exam

numbness or weakness

change in bowel or bladder function

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What ask with PMHx with spinal exam

fracture
sprain/strain
disc herniation

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What ask with SHx with spinal exam

occupation
hobbies
smoking

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How does smoking affect spine

nicotine impairs healing of spinal effusion

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What ask with txt with spinal exam

Pain Relievers
Ice/Heat
NSAIDs
CHiropractors
pneumonic: PINCH

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What ask with activities of daily with spinal exam

how pain affect it

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How should a person be exposed for a spinal exam

expose entire back from shoulders to below pelvic bones

feet together and arms at sides

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What should be inspected for spinal exam

Skin
head midline along with sacrum
shoulders and pelvis should be level
look at gait as walk (list or limp)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is normal posture

2 concave curvatures

- 2 convex curvatures

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Where are the concave curvatures of the spine

cervical

lumbar

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Where are the convex curvatures of the spine

thoracic

sacrococcygeal

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What will you see in scoliosis

asymmetry of spinal column

asymmetry of shoulder height

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What causes winging of scapulae

thoracic scoliosis

long thoracic nerve palsy

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What does “listing” of the trunk to one side suggest

herniated lumbar disc

What does tenderness at C1-C2 indicate

subluxation in rheumatoid patient

What do tenderness of facet joints indicate

arthritis at C5-C6 level

What do lumbar “step-offs” indicate

spondylolisthesis

fracture

What are the muscles that are examined in the spinal exam

cervical paraspinals and trapezius
thoracic paraspinals and rhomboids
lumbar paraspinals

Where is the sciatic nerve

midway between greater trochanter and ischial tuberosity

What does tenderness of the sciatic nerve indicate

disc herniation
mass lesion
L4-S3

What is the most mobile segment of the spine

cervical

What tested for cervical ROM in spinal exam

flexion (chin to chest)
extension (look at ceiling)
rotation (head to each side)
lateral bending (ear to shoulder)

What is the atlantooccipital joint

Atlas controls 1/3 flexion controls 1/2 lateral bending

What is atlantoaxial joint

axis | controls 1/2 rotation

What does the 3rd through 7th vertebrae control

2/3 flexion and extension 1/2 rotation 1/2 lateral bending

What ROM for thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in spinal exam

flexion (bend forward and touch toes) extension (bend back) rotation lateral bending (lean to one side)

What is straight leg raise test for spinal exam

test sciatic pain | lie on table and you passively extend leg at hip

What are the levels of the straight leg raise test for spinal exam

0 to 30 degree pain - lumbar nerve root impingement 30 to 60 degree pain - sacroiliac OA disease >60 degree pain - lumbosacral OA disease

What are the muscle strength tests for spinal exam

``` hip flexion knee extension ankle dorsiflexion great toe extension plantar flexion power ```

What are the sensory tests for spinal exam

``` eyes closed anterior thigh - L1-L3 inside lower leg - L4 top foot and toes - L5 outside ankle and foot - S1 ```

What are the reflex tests for spinal exam

``` Cervical -biceps (C5) -brachioradialis (C6) -triceps (C7) Lumbar - patellar - L4 - achilles - S1 ```