Spine examination - questions from quiz Flashcards
what is the term used to describe a visible angular deformity in the thoracic region ?
a gibbus
how does the angular deformity arise in a gibbus ?
Is created by vertebral wedging, where one (or more) of the thoracic vertebrae lose their anterior height and become triangular rather than square in sagittal cross section. This produces a focal angular deformity of the thoracic spine.
what is a possible cause of a gibbus in an elderly patient ?
May relate to an insufficiency fracture of the vertebrae due to osteoporosis
if a gibbus occurs in a young patient should you be worried ?
Yes! this is abnormal and could be due to things such as malignancy or infection
defien lordosis and kyphosis
lordosis = the curve is convex (inwards)
kyphosis - the curve is concave (outwards)
describe the curves of the spine
Cervical spine – Lordosis, Thoracic – Kyphosis, Lumbar – Lordosis
when palpating the spine from crainally to caudally what structures are you palpating ?
the spinous processes
when palpating the midline of the spine - if there is some tenderness what might this suggest ?
a significant spinal injury
when palpating the midline of an arthritic spine what might you notice ?
that there is tenderness and that there is some facet joint movement
what structures are you palpating when palpating from crainally to caudally at each side of the midline of the spine ?
The paraspinal muscles
what are the sacroiliac joints ?
The joints between the spine and pelvis.
More specifically between the sacrum of the spine and the ilium of the pelvis.
what are the 2 regions of the spine where the majority of movement takes place and hence are the 2 areas of the spine where movement is assessed ?
cervical and lumbar
Note - not the thorax as its main role is to provide an axial attachment for the thorax
what are the movements assessed in the cervical spine ?
flexion/extension
lateral flexion left and right
rotation left and right
which type of movements are assessed in the lumbar spine ?
flexion/extension
lateral flexion left and right
how is range of flexion in the lumbar spine measured?
using schobers test