at what vertebral level(s) should you perform a lumbar puncture ? - ANSWER L3/L4 or L4/L5; level of the iliac crests
when doing a lumbar puncture, what
... [Show More] does your needle pierce through - ANSWER skin --> fascia --> supraspinous ligament --> interspinous ligament --> ligamentum flavum --> epidural space --> dura mater --> subarachnoid space
What is a herniated disc? - ANSWER nucleus pulposus through anulus fibrosus (nucleus pulposus is remnant of notochord)
-usually herniates postero-laterally
-compresses spinal nerve root
most common levels of herniated disc - ANSWER Lumbar Levels= L4/L5 or L5/S1
cervical regions= C5/C6 or C6/C7
herniated disk presentation - ANSWER -individuals <50
-history of back pain that may radiate down to the lower limb
-pain begins soon after patient lifted something heavy
-herniated lumbar disc compresses the nerve root one number below (L4/L5 will compress the L5 root)
-lower limb reflexes are decreased on the affected side
-patellar --> L2/L3 or L3/L4 herniation
-achilles --> L5/S1 herniation
what is kyphosis ?
who is it seen in? - ANSWER -exaggeration of the thoracic curvature
-may occur in the elderly as a result of osteoporosis or disk degeneration
-osteoporosis= multiple compression fractures of the vertebral bodies
what is lordosis?
who is it seen in? - ANSWER -exaggeration of the lumbar curvature that may be temporary
-occurs during pregnancy, spondylolisthesis, or potbelly
what is scoliosis?
causes? - ANSWER -lateral deviation/torsion of the spine
-caused by poliomyelitis, leg length discrepancy, or hip disease
what is the pars interarticularis - ANSWER connects the superior facet and inferior facet
what is spondylolysis?
presentation? - ANSWER -defect/stress fracture in the pars interarticularis
-most common reason for lower back pain in adolescent athletes
-usually at L5
what is spondylolisthesis?
presentation? - ANSWER -forward slippage of one vertebral body with respect to the one beneath it
-most commonly occurs at lumbosacral junction with L5 slipping over S1
-low back pain aggravated by standing and walking
-rarely can cause cauda equina
-often results from spondylolysis [Show Less]