Spinal Cord and Root Dysfunction

Pain/paraesthesia affecting only the legs is likely to have a [blank_start]lumbar[blank_end] origin Pain/paraesthesia affecting only the arms is likely to have a [blank_start]cervical[blank_end] origin

How are reflexes affected by Upper & Lower Motor Neuron Lesions? Upper Motor Neuron Lesions cause [blank_start]brisk[blank_end] reflexes Lower Motor Neuron Lesions cause [blank_start]decreased or absent[blank_end] reflexes

Clonus is a series of involuntary rhythmic muscle contractions and relaxations. In which type of motor neuron lesions are these present?

Upper Motor Neuron Lesions cause decreased tone Lower Motor Neuron Lesions cause increased tone

[blank_start]Radiculopathy[blank_end] = Compression, or 'pinching', of the nerve as it leaves the spinal cord [blank_start]Myelopathy[blank_end] = Compression of the spinal cord itself

Back pain in the [blank_start]Thoracic[blank_end] area is extremely rare as it is supported by the [blank_start]ribcage[blank_end]. Therefore, pain in this area is a red flag as it tends to indicate myelopathy.

Lumbar [blank_start]spinal stenosis[blank_end] tends to cause claudication which is exacerbated by [blank_start]mobilisation[blank_end] and relieved by [blank_start]bending forwards/walking uphill[blank_end]. Patients with neurogenic claudication tend to feel pain/paraesthesia down the [blank_start]back of their thighs[blank_end].

The presence or absence of which cardiovascular features of the body helps to differentiate neurogenic claudication from vascular claudication? The presence or absence of the [blank_start]Peripheral pulses[blank_end]

A woman is brought into A&E by her husband complaining of shooting pains in her back and both of her legs. Upon further questioning she admits to being incontinent of urine for the past half day and has had a feeling of numbness between the legs when sitting on the toilet. This woman likely has [blank_start]Cauda Equina[blank_end] Syndrome This condition warrants an emergency [blank_start]MRI[blank_end] scan

What are the 4 main red flags for Cauda Equina Syndrome?

In terms of back pain, age is only considered a red flag when the patient is under 20 years of age.

A 27 year old woman presents complaining of progressive tingling & numbness in both of her hands that is now causing her to occasionally drop items around the house and at work. She is concerned as this is affecting her work. This woman is likely to be suffering from a [blank_start]Cervical[blank_end] [blank_start]Myelopathy[blank_end]

Is cervical myelopathy considered an upper or lower motor neuron lesion?

Name the test for Cervical Myelopathy described below: This test involved the doctor holding the middle finger steady before quickly forcing its flexion at the DIP joint. If, by forcing this motion, the index finger and thumb then also involuntarily flex, there is a positive sign and cervical myelopathy is not ruled out. This test is called [blank_start]Hoffman's[blank_end] test.

Cervical Myelopathy can also be indicated by Lhermitte's sign, but what is this?

The condition characterised by chronic pain following back surgeries is known as [blank_start]failed back[blank_end] syndrome