Cervical Spine Region: Identifying Serious Causes of Pain

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Questions and Answers

What is a symptom that could indicate myelopathy or spinal cord compromise in the cervical spine region?

Dizziness

Tingling in the hands and feet

Chest pain

Weakness in the upper limb (correct)

What is a question a healthcare professional might ask to assess for cervical arterial dysfunction?

Have you noticed any weakness or clumsiness in your hands? (correct)

Do you have any difficulty with balance or coordination?

Do you experience any numbness or tingling in your face?

Do you have any pain in your lower back?

What is a symptom of vertebral and basilar insufficiency?

Dyschezia

Dyspnea

Dysuria

Dysphagia (correct)

What is a physical exam test used to assess for vertebral and basilar insufficiency?

VBI cervical rotation and hold for 10sec Signup and view all the answers

What is a risk factor for upper cervical instability?

History of trauma Signup and view all the answers

What is a symptom of thoracic spine pain?

Chest pain Signup and view all the answers

What is a question a healthcare professional might ask to assess for thoracic spine pain?

Do you have any pain in your chest? Signup and view all the answers

What is a risk factor for serious spinal pain in the thoracic spine region?

History of recent upper respiratory tract infection Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of visceral pain?

Poorly defined and more diffuse Signup and view all the answers

What is a risk factor for heart disease?

Smoker Signup and view all the answers

What is a symptom of Cauda Equina syndrome?

Subjective sphincteric problems Signup and view all the answers

What is a common cause of serious spinal pain?

Lumbar spine region Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of autonomic alterations?

Blood pressure changes Signup and view all the answers

What is a question to ask a patient with suspected Cauda Equina syndrome?

Have you noticed any change in bladder or bowel function? Signup and view all the answers

What is a type of visceral pain related to the abdominal organs?

Visceral pain Signup and view all the answers

What is a symptom of Pneumothorax?

Shortness of breath Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Common CERVICAL Spine Region - Serious Causes of Pain

Myelopathy/spinal cord compromise: weak UL/LL, paraesthesia, hyperreflexia, clumsiness in hands, gait disturbances, and balance issues
Cervical arterial dysfunction: coronary artery dissection (CAD), vertebral-basilar insufficiency (VBI), and stroke
VBI-5D's and 3Ns: dizziness, dysphagia, dysarthria, drop attack, diplopia, numbness (facial), nystagmus, and nausea
Upper cervical instability: trauma, history of autoimmune inflammatory spinal arthropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Down's and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, recent surgery, and recent upper respiratory tract infection

Common THORACIC Spine Region - Serious Spinal Pain

Alerting feature: myocardial ischemia and infarction, chest pain, nausea, risk factors for heart disease, and symptoms that are worse with exertion
Rib fracture: trauma, pain with breathing and coughing, hearing a crack, and bruising on the skin (ecchymosis)
Pneumothorax: trauma, shortness of breath, sharp stabbing sudden chest pain, and rapid breathing
Visceral: stomach, small intestine, pancreas, gallbladder, and liver

Common LUMBAR Spine Region - Causes of Serious Spinal Pain

Cauda Equina syndrome: early bilateral alternating radiculopathy, leg pain, subjective sphincteric problems, perineal/saddle sensory change, and late altered bladder and bowel function
Visceral: kidney stones, pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease

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Description

This quiz covers the alerting features and verbal cues to identify serious causes of pain in the cervical spine region, including myelopathy, spinal cord compromise, and other neurological symptoms. Test your knowledge on recognizing the red flags and symptoms that require urgent attention.