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