Spine and Torso Study Guide

Vertebral Fracture

• Definition: Fracture of the vertebrae

• MOI: Trauma

Disc Herniation

• Definition: Soft center of rubbery disc between spinal bones pushes through the crack of tough exterior

• MOI: slip or fall, gradual degeneration

Disc Degeneration

• Definition: Cushioning in your spine wears away

• MOI: Disk dry out, overuse, tears or cracks

Low Back Pain

• Definition: pain between the lower edge of ribs and buttock

• MOI: repetitive/sudden motion causing stress

Spondylolysis

• Definition: stress fracture in the lower back vertebrae

• MOI: repetitive stress to the spine

Spondylolisthesis

• Definition: when one of the bones in your spine, called a vertebrae, slips forward

• MOI: Overextension of the spine

Whiplash

• Definition: rapid movement of the neck

• MOI: when the head is quickly thrown

Spinal Cord Injury

• Definition: damage to any spinal cord or nerves

• MOI: impact or persistent compression

Beevor Test

• Tests for: rectus abdominis muscle weakness or paralysis due to spinal cord lesions between T10-12

• Positive: umbilicus shifts to the side of stronger musculature

Bragard Test

• Tests for: nerve root compression of the lumbar spine which may lie between L4 and S1

• Positive: Pain is reproduced in the ankle

Hoover Test

• Tests for: malingering (trying to avoid work)

• Positive: the examiner does not feel pressure under the opposite heel

Lasegue Test

• Tests for: Spondylolisthesis, large disk protrusion

• Positive: symptoms of sciatica, with pain that radiates below the knee

Lhermitte Test

• Tests for: Disc herniation, degeneration of the spinal cord, dural or meningeal irritation of the spinal cord, multiple sclerosis

• Positive: Electric shock-like sensation that radiates down the spine, arms, and legs

Romberg Test

• Tests for: nervous system disorders that can affect balance and proprioception, Spinal cord injuries

• Positive: instability

Slump Test

• Tests for: disc bulging / herniation of the lumbar spine

• Positive: unable to extend the knee because of pain, then the examiner reduces the pressure on the cervical spine and asks the patient to slowly raise the head. If the patient is then able to extend the knee further without pain or with less pain…

Springing Test

• Tests for: functional impairments in the lumbar spine

• Positive: Lack of resiliency or excessive resiliency

Spurling Test

• Tests for: cervical radiculopathy/cervical disc herniation 

• Positive: pain radiates into the shoulder or arm ipsilateral to the side at which the head is rotated

Valsalva Test

• Tests for: lumbar spine lesions

• Positive: Pain is exacerbated

H in HOPS

History (What, Where, Why, When, Who, did this happen?)

O in HOPS

Observation (Can you point to where it hurts?)

P in HOPS

Palpation

S in HOPS

Special Test