Comprehensive Cervical and Spinal Injury & Disorder Review

What is the mechanism of injury for cervical sprains and strains?

Elongation and tearing of muscles or ligaments, often due to overload injury.

What are common symptoms of cervical sprains and strains?

Pain, stiffness, and tightness, aggravated by cervical positions that stretch the involved tissues.

What initial interventions are recommended for cervical sprains and strains?

Use of a cervical collar, bed rest, analgesics, and muscle relaxants.

What causes Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD)?

Acceleration and deceleration mechanisms resulting from energy transfer through blunt impact or inertial loading.

What are the symptoms of Whiplash-Associated Disorders?

Neck swelling, muscle spasms, difficulty moving the neck, cervical radiculopathy, severe headaches, and radicular pain.

What is the primary intervention for Forward Head Posture?

Teaching the patient to assume an upright and neutral spine position, along with exercises to strengthen and stretch involved muscles.

What are common symptoms of Forward Head Posture?

Protracted scapulae, tight anterior muscles, stretched posterior muscles, and pain in the head, neck, and TMJ.

What is cervical spondylosis?

Chronic degeneration of the cervical spine affecting joint complexes, leading to neck or arm symptoms and morning stiffness.

What interventions are used for cervical spondylosis?

Electrotherapeutic modalities for pain control, manual techniques, and cervical stabilization exercises.

What is Zygapophyseal Joint Dysfunction?

An acute cervical joint lock caused by the entrapment of a small piece of synovial membrane by the facet joint.

What are the symptoms of Zygapophyseal Joint Dysfunction?

Unilateral neck pain, 'neck locking', shoulder pain, and difficulty with head rotation.

What causes Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

Compression of neural or vascular structures, often due to postural abnormalities.

What are the symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

Diffuse arm and shoulder pain, neck pain, UE paresthesias, and muscle length-strength imbalances.

What is the mechanism of injury for cervical disk lesions?

Degenerative disk disorders, repetitive microtrauma, or excessive single load.

What are symptoms of cervical disk lesions?

Painful limitation of AROM in all planes, pain on cough/sneeze, and difficulty maintaining upright postures.

What interventions are recommended for cervical disk lesions?

Education on proper resting positions, cervical collar use, electrotherapeutic modalities, and cervical stabilization exercises.

What is Acute Torticollis (Wry Neck)?

A condition caused by prolonged unusual neck positioning leading to painful neck spasms and limited ROM.

What are the symptoms of Acute Torticollis?

Painful neck spasms, limited range of motion, and a comfortable head position toward the side of the involved muscle.

What interventions are effective for Acute Torticollis?

Hanging head method, moist heat, massage, patient education on posture, and gentle ROM exercises.

What are the three types of sternal deformities?

Barrel chest, pigeon chest, and funnel chest (PE).

What is the primary thought behind funnel chest (PE)?

It is thought to involve the overgrowth of the costochondral region of ribs.

How can muscle imbalance in patients be treated?

Through length-associated strength changes.

What are the symptoms of intercostal muscle strains?

Pain between the ribs that worsens on movement, deep inspiration, or coughing.

What can cause intercostal muscle strains?

Trauma from unaccustomed or excessive muscular activity, lifting heavy objects, or persistent coughing.

What should be avoided in patients with intercostal muscle strains?

Chronic postures of the neck, ipsilateral side bending, and contralateral rotation.

What is scoliosis characterized by?

Lateral bending of the spine and vertebral body rotation.

What are the goals of physical therapy for scoliosis?

Help with postural alignment, maintain proper respiration, reduce back pain, and improve overall posture and spinal mobility.

What interventions are recommended for compression fractures of the spine?

Bed rest, pain control, exercise programs, gentle extension/isometric exercises, and patient education.

What are common symptoms of compression fractures?

Progressive kyphosis, loss of height, acute back pain, and inability to perform ADLs.

What are kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty used for?

They are procedures to stabilize fractures in the vertebral body, with kyphoplasty involving balloons and cement, and vertebroplasty using only cement.

What is the impact of aging on spinal health?

Aging can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of compression fractures.

What is the focus of physical therapy for patients with scoliosis?

To strengthen muscles on the convex side and stretch muscles on the concave side.

What is a common treatment for patients with spinal flexion issues?

Physical therapy and surgery may be indicated.

What is the importance of posture in managing spinal conditions?

Proper posture helps reduce pain and improve spinal mobility.

What is the primary symptom of low back pain (LBP)?

Pain in the low back.

What type of pain is typically associated with structural damage in the lumbar spine?

Sharp pain felt during certain movements.

What are common structural damages that can cause low back pain?

Disk herniation, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, lateral spinal stenosis, and zygapophyseal dysfunction.

What activities can lead to strains or sprains of the lumbar spine?

Bending forward and twisting while lifting or moving an object.

What exercises are recommended for strengthening the abdominal and trunk extensors?

Draw-in exercise, multifidi activation, bent leg fall-out, progressive limb loading, supermans, prone single leg raise, quadruped.

What is a key characteristic of clinical spinal instability?

Increased translation or angulation of a spinal segment during flexion-extension or side bending.

What are common symptoms of spinal instability?

Recurrent pain, episodes of instability, inconsistent symptomatology, and clicking.

What is a disc herniation?

A change in the shape of the annulus that causes a bulge outside of the perimeter.

What is the difference between anterior and posterior disc herniation?

Anterior herniation restricts vertebral flexion, while posterior herniation restricts vertebral extension.

What is the McKenzie Method used for?

Assessment of a patient to gauge responses to spinal loading.

What surgical intervention is indicated for cauda equina syndrome?

Surgery is indicated for progressive neurological deficits or persistent sciatic pain.

What is degenerative spinal stenosis?

Narrowing of the spinal canal, nerve root canal, or foramen due to compressive loading.

What are the symptoms of neurogenic claudication?

Localized pain, paresthesias, and cramping of one or both lower extremities.

What conservative treatments are recommended for degenerative spinal stenosis?

Postural education, stretching of hip flexors and lumbar paraspinals, and lumbar stabilization exercises.

What is spondylolysis?

A defect in the pars interarticularis, which may be asymptomatic or cause pain during extension/rotation.

What is spondylolisthesis?

Anterior slippage of a vertebral segment, often leading to lumbar instability and chronic pain.

What are the types of spondylolisthesis?

Congenital, isthmic, and degenerative.

What is the role of pelvic positioning in treating spondylolisthesis?

To provide symptomatic relief and support active lumbar stabilization.

What surgical options are available for severe cases of spondylolisthesis?

Decompression to relieve pressure on spinal nerves and spinal fusion.

What is a cervical sprain or strain?

Elongation and tearing of muscles or ligaments in the cervical region.

What causes cervical sprains and strains?

Produced by overload injury or injury to the joint capsule.

What are the symptoms of cervical sprains and strains?

Pain, stiffness, and tightness, aggravated by cervical positions that stretch the involved tissues and eased by lying down.

What interventions are used for cervical sprains and strains?

Initial use of a cervical collar, bed rest, analgesics, and muscle relaxants.

What is Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD)?

A condition resulting from acceleration-deceleration mechanisms, often due to blunt impact or inertial loading.

What are the symptoms of Whiplash-Associated Disorders?

Neck swelling, muscle spasms, difficulty moving the neck, cervical radiculopathy, severe headaches, and radicular pain in the neck.

What is forward head posture?

A condition characterized by excessive anterior positioning of the head, leading to muscle imbalances and spinal issues.

What causes forward head posture?

Caused by muscle imbalances, aging, degeneration of disks, vertebral wedging, and ligamentous calcification.

What are the interventions for forward head posture?

Teaching the patient to assume an upright and neutral spine position, head nod exercises, chin drops, resisted shoulder retraction, and pectoral stretches.

What are the contraindications for cervical sprains and strains?

Contraindications are not specified in the notes provided.

What is the role of physical therapy in treating cervical sprains and strains?

Physical therapy focuses on rehabilitation and management of symptoms without surgical intervention.

What is the surgical approach for severe cases of cervical injuries?

Surgical solutions may involve cutting or repairing damaged tissues, though specifics are not detailed in the notes.

What is the mechanism of injury for cervical sprains and strains?

Typically involves sudden movements or trauma that overstretch or tear cervical tissues.

What is the mechanism of injury for Whiplash-Associated Disorders?

Involves rapid acceleration and deceleration, often from car accidents or similar impacts.

What is cervical spondylosis?

A chronic degeneration of the cervical spine affecting joint complexes, leading to symptoms like neck or arm pain and morning stiffness.

What are common symptoms of cervical spondylosis?

Gradual onset of neck or arm symptoms (radiculopathy), morning stiffness, and neck pain that improves throughout the day.

What conservative treatments are used for cervical spondylosis?

Electrotherapeutic modalities (moist heat, ESTIM, ultrasound), manual techniques, and isometric exercises.

What is zygapophyseal joint dysfunction?

An acute cervical joint lock due to entrapment of synovial membrane by the facet joint, causing unilateral neck pain and 'neck locking.'

What are the symptoms of zygapophyseal joint dysfunction?

Unilateral neck pain, difficulty with head rotation, and pain following sustained head positions.

What is thoracic outlet syndrome?

Compression of neural or vascular structures in the neck and shoulder girdle, often leading to diffuse arm and shoulder pain.

What are the common symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome?

Localized pain in the neck, face, shoulder, and upper extremities, along with symptoms like paresthesias, weakness, and swelling.

What conservative treatments are recommended for thoracic outlet syndrome?

Correction of postural abnormalities, strengthening weak muscles, stretching shortened muscles, and mobilization of hypomobile joints.

What are cervical disk lesions?

Degenerative disk disorders caused by repetitive microtrauma, leading to painful limitations in range of motion and potential radiculopathy.

What are the symptoms of cervical disk lesions?

Painful limitation of AROM in all planes, pain on cough/sneeze, and difficulty maintaining upright postures.

What conservative treatments are used for cervical disk lesions?

Education on proper resting positions, cervical collars, electrotherapeutic modalities, manual traction, and stabilization exercises.

What is acute torticollis?

A condition characterized by painful neck spasms and limited range of motion due to prolonged unusual neck positioning.

What are the symptoms of acute torticollis?

Painful neck spasms, limited ROM, and a head position toward the side of the involved muscle.

What treatments are effective for acute torticollis?

Hanging head method, moist heat, massage, patient education on posture, and gentle ROM exercises.

What is the mechanism of injury for cervical spondylosis?

Chronic degeneration leading to compression of spinal cord and nerve roots, often resulting in myelopathy.

What is the mechanism of injury for zygapophyseal joint dysfunction?

Acute cervical joint lock caused by entrapment of synovial membrane by the facet joint.

What is the mechanism of injury for thoracic outlet syndrome?

Compression of neural or vascular structures, often due to postural abnormalities in the neck and shoulder girdle.

What is the mechanism of injury for cervical disk lesions?

Degenerative changes due to repetitive microtrauma or excessive single load leading to disk dysfunction.

What is the mechanism of injury for acute torticollis?

Prolonged unusual neck position causing muscle impingement and spasms.

What are the three types of chest deformities mentioned?

Barrel chest, pigeon chest, and funnel chest (PE).

What is the proposed cause of funnel chest (PE)?

Overgrowth of the costochondral region of ribs.

What is the treatment focus for patients with muscle imbalance related to chest deformities?

Length-associated strength changes.

What characterizes intercostal muscle strains?

Pain between the ribs that worsens on movement, deep inspiration, or coughing.

What are common causes of intercostal muscle strains?

Trauma from unaccustomed or excessive muscular activity, lifting heavy objects, or persistent coughing.

What should be avoided to prevent worsening intercostal muscle strains?

Chronic postures of the neck, ipsilateral side bending, and contralateral rotation.

What is the defining characteristic of rotoscoliosis?

Lateral bending of the spine accompanied by vertebral body rotation.

What are the goals of physical therapy for rotoscoliosis?

Help with postural alignment, maintain proper respiration, reduce back pain, and improve overall posture and spinal mobility.

What is a surgical intervention for severe rotoscoliosis?

Solid bone fusion.

What is the cause of compression fractures of the spine?

Fractures to the vertebral body due to compressive forces or degenerative disorders.

What are the symptoms of compression fractures?

Progressive kyphosis, loss of height, acute back pain, and inability to perform ADLs.

What are some interventions for managing compression fractures?

Bed rest, pain control, exercise programs, gentle extension/isometric exercises, and patient education to avoid trunk flexion.

What are kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty used for?

Kyphoplasty involves inserting balloons into cracks followed by cement, while vertebroplasty involves just cement to stabilize fractures.

What is spinal flexion associated with?

Conditions such as osteoporosis and aging.