Thoracic spine Flashcards
What is the prevalence of thoracic spine pain?
Spinal pain in general population: 66%
LBP: 56%
Neck- 44%
Thoracic- 15%
What are the rule of 3 with thoracic surface anatomy?
SP of T1-3 @ same level as TP
SP of T4-6 @ 1/2 level below level of TP
SP of T7-9 @ 1 level below level of TP
SP of T10-12 @ same level of TP
What is osseous anatomy of TS?
Highest vertebrae share commonalities with CS
Lowest vertebrae share commonalities with LS
Thoracic vertebrae A/P and transverse dimensions of the vertebral bodies are a uniform ratio
Height is slightly higher posteriorly
What are orientation of facet joints in TS?
Joints are synovial and planar.
Primarily oriented in frontal plane
Superior articulation: 60 degrees above horizontal and 20 degrees from the frontal plane laterally
Inferior articulation: match superior and face anterior, inferior, and slightly medially
What are the disc ratios in the body?
CS: 2:5 (28.5%)
TS: 1:5 (16.6%)
LS: 1:3 (25%)
What are attachments of ribs 1 and 2?
1: no superior portion of CVJ, attaches to sternum under SC joint
2: CVJ with demifacets above and below, attaches anterior at sternomanubrial junction
What are attachments of ribs 3-7?
Typical posterior attachment, direct attachment to sternum anteriorly
What are attachments of ribs 8-10?
Typical posterior attachment, attach to sternum via costocartilage of 7th rib anteriorly
What are attachments of ribs 11-12?
no articulation with superior vertebra, no CTJ, no anterior articulation
What is neurological supply of thoracic spine?
Each thoracic spinal nerve divided into anterior and posterior primary rami exiting below its respective vertebra.
Anterior rami travels along each relative nerve and becomes the intercostal nerve (supplies internal/external intercostals and serratus posterior)
What is posterior rami divided into?
Divided into medial and lateral branches
What does lateral branch of posterior rami nerve supply?
longissimus, iliocostalis, costotransverse joints
What does medial branch of posterior rami nerve supply?
upper 6 levels: semispinalis, multifidus, skin of upper back
Lower 6 levels: transversospinalis, longissimus
Every level: facet joints above and below that level
What are sinuvertebral nerves in TS?
small nerves that branch from the spinal nerve near the origin of the anterior and posterior rami and then re-enter the intervertebral foramen
What does sinuvertebral nerve supply?
PLL, proximal ribs and outer fibers of disc, venous plexus, post vertebral bodies, anterior aspect of laminae, the dura
Has spinal root and sympathetic root
What is path of sympathetic chain in TS?
lies anteriorly along rib heads and costovertebral joints
Thoracic dysfunctions may lead to sympathetic and visceral symptoms
What is the critical zone in the TS?
Spinal canal is more narrow in the mid thoracic spine (T4-T9).
Decreased blood supply (only one blood vessel, anterior spinal artery, supplies this area)
Disc herniation/injury can lead to central spinal cord compression here causing tension along the path of a nerve
T6= tension point (positive slump)
Treat with mobilization and manipulation
What are the thoracic pain and referral patterns?
Facet joints- 1/2 segment superior to 2.5 segments distal and slightly lateral
Clowards areas: cervical disc dysfunction will radiate to medial scapular border and T spine
60% incidence of osteophyte encroachment of costovertebral on sympathetic chain
Where is pain with dissecting thoracic aneurysm, CAD, Peptic ulcer?
Aneurysm: sudden chest pain radiating to back that’s unrelenting, emergency
CAD: anterior chest pain, has CPR
Ulcer: boring pain to mid T-spine after eating
What is CPR of CAD?
Age (>65 for females, >55 for males) Known for vascular disease Pain worse during exercise Not reproduced with palpation Patient feels that it is cardiac in nature
What are serious conditions associated with thoracic pain?
Cancer historical information (history of cancer, age over 50, failure of conservative therapy, unexplained weight loss)
Ankylosing spondylosis (chest expansion 30 minutes, improvement of back pain with exercise but not with rest, awakening because of back pain during second 1/2 of the night only, alternating buttock pain)
Fever for infection
What happens during flexion/extension of TS?
Superior vertebral body translates anteriorly and rotation anteriorly in sagittal plane. Posterior rib translates superiorly Anterior rib translates inferiorly Anterior rotation of rib Reverses for extension
What happens when TS rotates?
Greatest in upper segments and reduced in lower
Coupled SB: ipsilateral in upper TS, opposite in lower
Ipsilateral rib translates inferiorly and rotates posteriorly
Contralateral rib translates superior and rotates anteriorly
What happens when TS side bends?
Most limited in upper segments and increases in lower segments
Ipsilateral rib moves inferiorly and rotates posteriorly
Contralateral rib moves superiorly and rotates anteriorly
Ipsilateral facet joint extends and glides inferolaterally
Contralateral facet joint flexes and glides anteromedially
What is thoracic spine and rib movement during respiration?
Sagittal view: pump handle movement (ribs 1-6)
Frontal view: bucket handle (ribs 7-10)
Transverse view: caliper movement (ribs 11-12)
What are coupled movements in TS?
Cervicothoracic region (C7-T1, T1-T2): SB and rot occurs on same side Thoracolumbar region (T11-12, T12-L1): SB and rot occurs on opposite side Mid TS region: variable coupling of SB and rot T2-7: extend, rotation and SB to ipsilateral side with full elevation of arm
What are neurodynamic problems with TS?
Sympathetic chain is tensioned during flexion, contralateral rotation, contralateral SB
@T6 in slump position the cord is tensioned cranially toward C-spine and caudally toward L-spine
T4 syndrome- stiffness @ T4 causing HA, neck pain, UE pain, bilateral stocking glove paresthesias
What are pathomechanics of TS ?
Flexion movement impairment: most often in upper TS, relative reduction of kyphosis, rear impact injury, can be unilateral
Extension movement impairment: more common in CT junction and highest segments, excessive kyphosis posture, if advanced age and chronic vertebral bodies may become wedge shaped
What are rib pathomechanics?
Superior subluxation: first rib, limit painful caudal glide, progress to thoracic outlet if bad enough
Anterior subluxation: traumatic blow to posterior chest wall, may be able to palpate prominence of rib anteriorly or concavity posteriorly
Posterior subluxation: anterior chest wall trauma, most treatments are mobilization or manipulation
For objective assessment of TS what is part of your postural assessment?
Hips- level greater trochanters, asymmetry of hips in frontal or transverse plane
Pelvis- pelvic obliquity, A/P rotation of pelvis, SLS
L-spine- curvature in sagittal plane, mm tone, tenderness to palpation
T-spine- scapular positioning, curvature in sagittal/frontal plane, looking at each region independently, verticality of spine (acromion in line with GT), shoulder height
C-spine- forward head posture, asymmetry in C-spine tone, vertical neck
What are parts of motion analysis in TS assessment?
Standing tri-planar movement of trunk- lumbopelvic rhythm, symmetrical rotation/SB, inclinometer measurements, combined movements, single leg stance Seated thoracic spine active movement Scapulohumeral rhythm Cervical motion analysis Gait analysis
What is part of palpation assessment in TS?
muscle tone of paraspinals/trigger points
PPAVM and PPIVM- central PA/unilateral PA/rib screws
First rib mobilization assessment
Cervical traction/compression
Rib expansion assessment in seat position
Skin mobility- gliding and rolling in various directions
What is part of strength assessment in TS?
Seated in "collar up" position Prone trunk extension endurance test Cervical/lumbar flexor endurance test Resisted rib expansion testing Scapular stabilizer MMT
What is the number 1 thoracic spine problem mark sees in the clinic?
Thoracic pain associated with something else
Who gets thoracic vertebral fractures and how?
Often associated with osteoporosis or impact injuries
Most frequent in 5th decade and afterward
What are objective findings for vertebral fractures?
Tends to be in kyphotic position
Extension activities may help reduce stress on vertebral body and increase blood flow to area
What is treatment for vertebral fractures?
Safely restoring function while preserving integrity of healing
Surgical vertebroplasty is option but research shows it’s no better than sham
What is functional scoliosis?
Lateral curvature w/o rotational component
Curvature can be corrected by changing patient position
what causes functional scoliosis?
Can be lead to by mm spasm, inflammatory conditions, injuries, hamstring injury, nerve root
How do you treat functional scoliosis?
Treat underlying cause and the scoliosis will resolve
Stretch concave side, strengthen convex
What is structural scoliosis?
Lateral curvature with rotational component
Does not change with position
Vertebral bodies can become wedge shaped in frontal plane
What is cause of structural scoliosis?
Congenital, secondary to a neurological disorder, or idopathic