1 What is lumbar spinal stenosis? Lumbar spinal stenosis is defined as any type of narrowing of the spinal canal, nerve root canals, or intervertebral foramen. This narrowing can be caused by soft tissue, bone, or a combination of both.…
1 Define lumbar disc degeneration. Lumbar disc degeneration has been defined by the North American Spine Society Consensus Committee on Nomenclature in terms of morphologic changes involving the anatomic components of the lumbar disc. These changes may include: Desiccation, fibrosis,…
1 Describe the prevalence and natural history of lumbar disc herniation. contrast the prevalence and natural history of lumbar disc herniation and low back pain. The lifetime prevalence of a symptomatic lumbar disc herniation in the adult population is approximately…
1 Is thoracic disc herniation a common clinical problem? No. The incidence of symptomatic thoracic disc herniation has been reported as 1 per million patients. It is estimated that 0.15%–4% of all symptomatic disc protrusions occur in the thoracic spine.…
1 Define cervical spondylosis. how does this condition present in clinical practice? Cervical spondylosis is a nonspecific term that refers to age-related degenerative changes within the cervical spinal column. The degenerative process can affect the intervertebral discs, facet joints, uncovertebral…
1 What factors play a role in the development of degenerative disorders of the spine? The prevalence and progression of spinal column degenerative changes are associated with increasing age, but remain asymptomatic in many individuals. Mechanical, traumatic, nutritional, biochemical, and…
General considerations 1 Why is it important to consider the normal growth and development of the spine when evaluating a child with a suspected spinal injury? Knowledge of the developmental anatomy of the spine is important to avoid misdiagnosis of…
Definitions 1 Define spondylolysis. Spondylolysis is a unilateral or bilateral defect in the region of the pars interarticularis that may or may not be accompanied by vertebral displacement. The origin of the term spondylolysis is from the Greek words spondylo…
Background 1 Describe how sagittal plane alignment of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine changes from birth to adulthood. The sagittal alignment of the spine is dynamic and changes with age. In newborns the spinal column possesses a single C-shaped…
General concepts 1 Why do patients with neuromuscular disorders develop spinal deformities? Neuromuscular spinal deformities develop in patients with underlying neuropathic or myopathic disorders due to trunk muscle weakness, spasticity, or spinal imbalance, which compromise the ability to maintain normal…