Spine- Thoracolumbar VI- Hypermobility and Instability and DJD Flashcards
What are the 4 variables of stabilization?
- joint integrity
- passive stiffness
- neural input
- muscle function
What is hypermobility/instability defined as?
- abnormal movement of spinal segment under loaded conditions, resulting in pain/disability that changes instantaneous axis of motion
What are the two types of instability?
- functional
- mechanical
What is functional instability?
Instability that CAN be stabilized with muscle activity and/or positioning
What is mechanical instability?
Instability that CANNOT be completely stabilized with muscle activity and/or positioning
Which gender has hypermobility more often?
Females more than males
What are the potential etiologies of hypermobility/instability?
- trauma or recurrent sprains (such as IDD)
- age related disc changes
- repetitive extension activities (dancing, gymnastics, power lifting)
- creep due to persistent poor posturing
- Adjacent joint hypomobility, even more so with fusions
- connective tissue disorder - generalized hypermobility
What are some connective tissue disorders that can cause hypermobility/instability?
- benign joint hypermobility syndrome
- Ehler’s Danloss syndrome
- marfan’s syndrome
What segment in the lower spine is hypermobility most common?
L4-S1
Which planes in the lumbar spine is hypermobility more common in?
Sagittal and frontal planes
What are symptoms of functional instability?
- predictable pain (every time I do …)
- spine and referred pain, possibly paresthesias from nociplastic pain due to sensitization
- no clear directional preference
- catching (high spec)
- easy self manipulation
What positions will help/cause pain with functional instability?
- decreased pain with positional changes and support
- increased pain with prolonged positions, prolonged and repetitive forward bending or arching, strenuous activities, and possibly sudden motions
** pain in groin due to shared innervation
Why can strenuous activities cause pain with functional instability?
increased demand for stabilizaiton
What is a sign in the patients history that can indicate functional instability is possible?
often less than 40 years old
What will we find with our ROM with acute functional instabilty?
- limited and painful with extension because of increased anterior vertebral shearing, followed by SB
What will we find with general ROM if the functional instability is presenting as an acute condition?
Limited and painful with aberrant motion
What can we find with flexion with functional instability?
- may be limited with Gower’s sign
What is Gower’s sign?
UE assistance returning from forward bending
(using hands as assistance)
What will be different between PROM and AROM with functional instability?
PROM greater than AROM, particularly in non weight bearing vs weight bearing
What can we find with ROM if functional instability is not presenting as an acute condition?
Often WNL or excessive except for extension that still may be limited with creasing
What will we find with combined motions with functional instability?
Possible inconsistent block
What are signs of aberrant AROM with functional instability?
- painful arc of motion, primarily in sagittal plane
- uncoordinated motion, primarily in sagittal plane
- Gower’s sign
- LE/Pelvis compensations
- positive if ≥ 1 present
What will we find with resisted testing/MMT with functional instability?
- if acute, may be painful
- MOST often strong and painless bc global muscles not effected
What will we find with neuro tests with functional instability?
Negative neuro tests except possibly a hypersthesia with pinwheel during sensation testing and bring DTRs
What will we find with stress tests with functional instability?
- positive PA stress tests
- Mixed findings with distraction depending on severity
What will we find with accessory motion testing with functional instability?
- possible hypomobility if hypermobile joint is stuck like drawer example
- possible adjacent hypomobility
> T 10 rotation
> SI joint motion
> Hip hyperextension
What special tests will be positive with functional instability?
- possible positive prone LE extension test
- likely positive segmental stability
- possible positive straight leg reaise
What will segmental stability be most likely positive for with functional instability?
excessive anterior shearing
What muscle can be excessively recruited with LBP?
The psoas
What does the psoas maintain in standing?
lordosis