spinal pathology

• what is disc degeneration

  annulus fibers seperate

  dehydration and loss of disc height

  exit foramina becomes narrowed

  leads to compression of the nerve roots
• what is disc herniation

  nucleus moves out of the center of the disc

  nucleus tears through the annulus fibrosus

  disc protrudes into the spinal canal and impede the spinal cord
• what is spinal stenosis

  narrowing of the spinal canal

  pressure on the nerves exiting the spine
• how is disc herniation usually presented as

  pain

  arm/leg numbness

  tingling sensations in limbs
• name the stages of disc herniation

  degeneration

  prolapse

  extrusion

  sequestration
• what happens during degeneration

  the nucleus material begins to protrude into the annulus fibrosus
• what happens during prolapse

  the disc begins to bulge and impinge on the spinal canal
• what happens during extrusion

  the nucleus material breaks through the annulus fibrosus
• what happens during sequestration

  the nucleus material lies outside of the disc in the spinal canal
• describe spondylolisthesis

  one vertebral body slips in relation to an adjacent vertebral body

  a result of disc degeneration

  occurs at L5 / S1
• how can you treat Disc Degeneration

  painkillers

  physiotherapy
• what are examples of vertebral tumours

  multiple myeloma

  osteosarcoma

  lymphoma

  ewing sarcoma
• what are multiple myeloma

  common primary malignant bone neoplasm

  arises from red marrow

  poor prognosis
• what are vertebral metastases

  secondary tumours of vertebral bodies

  often asymptomatic

  cause pathological fractures

  symptomatic when compress the spinal cord
• what are red flag symptoms of cord compression clinical indications

  sever bac =k pain

  bladder / bowel incontinence

  bilateral leg pain

  leg / foot weakness

  saddle anaesthesia
• what happens during cord compression

  occur when material impinges the spinal cord

  causes neurological damage

  compression that occurs above the conus ( l1 / l2 )
• what us Cauda equina syndrome

  nerve roots distal conus medullaris

  looks like a horse tail

  results in damge to the nerves
• what are some cord compression treatments

  pain relied

  surgical decompression

  radiotherapy if caused by malignancy
• what is ankylosing spondylitis

  type of arthritis

  cause inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine

  axial skeleton predominantly affected

  bamboo spine = fusion of vertebral bodies ; calcification of annulus fibrosus
• what are symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

  paint and joint stiffness

  fatigue

  inflammatory bowel disease
• what is the treatment for ankylosing spondylitis

  physiotherapy

  non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug