Vertebrae Injuries.

Question 1

Spinal Osteoporosis. 
Symptoms:
Aetiology: 
Clinical Findings:
Treatment:
Exercise Prescription:

Answer 1

• Significant illness, deformity, no back pain.
• After 30 bone remodelling takes away more bone than it’s replacing.
• Commonly found in women 50+ is a disease caused by significant loss of Bone Mineral Density (BMD).
• Education on diet/nutrition, light exercise if not fractured, and medication.

Question 2

Spondylosis.
Describe:
What Injuries are Classed in this Category:

Answer 2

• Descriptive term for Spinal problems that may have Pain, Degeneration or both.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Degenerative Disk Disease.
• Spinal Stenosis.

Question 3

Symptoms of Facet Joint Osteoarthritis.

Answer 3

• Morning stiffness and pain due to synovial fluid build up.
• Decrease in pain after a few hours by using the fluid.
• Increase in pain later due to More pressure.
• Pain disrupting sleep is often indicator.
• Localised tenderness.
• Pins and needles through affected dermatomes.

Question 4

Treatment Options for  Facet Joint Osteoarthritis. 
Medication. 
Passive:
Exercise:
Surgical:

Answer 4

• NSAID’s
• Heat/Ice pack.
• TENS units.
• Iontophoresis.
• Ultrasound.
• Pain free Neck, Back and Hamstring Stretches.
• Cortisone Injection.

Question 5

Describe Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease.

Answer 5

• A Syndrome in which a compromised disc causes low back pain.
• At least 30% of 30-50 year olds have some degree of disc space degeneration.
• After 60, disk degeneration is normal finding on MRI.

Question 6

What causes Lumbar Disk Degeneration Disease:

Answer 6

• Inflammation from proteins in the disk space that irritate the surroundings nerves going to the legs.
• Abnormal Micro-motion Instability from outer rings of disc are worn down and can not absorb stress.

Question 7

Symptoms of Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease:

Answer 7

• Central low back pain, can refer to hips and legs.
• Lasted more than 6 weeks.
• Painful Ache.
• Worse pain Sitting / putting stress on the disc.
• Sever symptoms = numbness / tingling.
• Disc space Collapse causing foraminal stenosis which then results in radiculopathy to the legs.

Question 8

Name all 3 Steps in Diagnosing Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease:

Answer 8

• Subjective Examination.
• Objective Examination.
• MRI Scan

Question 9

Treatment Options for Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease:

Answer 9

• Heat / Ice.
• Manual Mobilisation and Manipulation.
• Epidural Steroid Injections.
• Medications / NSAIDS.
• Stretches.
• Non weight bearing activities.

Question 10

Describe Ankylosing Spondylitis

Answer 10

• Spinal Arthritis that affects the joints and ligaments by becoming inflamed.
• Causes pain and stiffness.
• Commonly found in young men between 15-30

Question 11

What are the Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Answer 11

• Sacroiliitis (inflamed SI joint).
• Gradual onset of low back, buttock, or hip pain with stiffness over weeks or months.
• Worse during rest/inactivity.
• Early morning stiffness relived by hot shower.
• Tenderness.
• Unexplained fatigue.
• Weigh loss.
• Fever and night sweats.

Question 12

Treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Answer 12

• No permanent cure.
• Symptoms may reduce with age.
• NSAID’s
• Hot or Cold packs.
• Daily modification
  Reduce weight carried.
  Low impact exercises.
  Adjusting work environment.

Question 13

Describe Pulled Back and Lower Back Strain.

Answer 13

• Muscle Strain (overstretched or torn muscle fibres).
• Lumbar Sprain (overstretched or torn ligaments).
• Treatment is same for both.

Question 14

Common Causes of Pulled Back Muscle.

Answer 14

• Heavy lifting.
• Lifting whilst twisting.
• sudden movement or fall.

Question 15

Symptoms of Pulled Back Muscles.

Answer 15

• Localised.
• Tender when palpated.
• Sudden pain.
• Muscle Spasm (guarding).
• Pain eases when resting.

Question 16

Treatment for Pulled Back Muscle.

Answer 16

• Usually heals after 3-4 weeks.
• Pain Medication.
• Anti-inflammatory medication.
• Muscle.
• Massage.
• Hot or cold packs.

Question 17

What and Where is the Cauda Equina Located?

Answer 17

A Bundle of nerve fibres in the spinal cord that branch out when reaching the lumbar spine.

Question 18

Where do the Nerve Roots in the Cauda Equina exit through when leaving the Lumbar Spine.

Answer 18

Foramina.

Question 19

What do the Cauda Equina nerve fibres do.

Answer 19

Communicate sensory and motor nerve messages between the CNS, Pelvis, and Lower limbs

Question 20

What are the Cauda Equina Nerves Responsible for.

Answer 20

- Sensory function of the: 
Bowl. 
Bladder. 
Genitals.
Saddle area 
Nerves in the legs.

Question 21

What causes Cauda Equina Syndrome?

Answer 21

• Herniated disc.
• Spinal Stenosis.
• Inflammation or infection in the spinal canal.
• Tumour.
• Trauma.

Question 22

What are the Symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome?

Answer 22

• Severe Low Back Pain.
• Neurological Problems in Saddle Region and Lower Limbs.
  That may include Urinary or Bowl incontinents.
  Loss of Feeling.
  Motor Weakness.
  Loss of motor function in the legs.

Question 23

How is Cauda Equina Syndrome Treated.

Answer 23

• Lumbar Laminectomy.

This is a surgical decompression of the Lamina Bone that squashes the nerve fibres.