Review of Spine and Back

When making a tackle a football player experiences burning and tingling with a loss strength in his left arm. What condition has most likely occurred and how should the couch manage this problem?

1. Condition is Brachial Plexus (stinger) 2. Coach can teach him proper form for tackling and refer him to physician and get physical therapy

Pain that spreads from a central point, such as the point of an injury, to a ___ location in the body is known as _____ pain.

1. Different 2. Radiating

How many pairs of nerves are in the spine?

31 pairs

Scoliosis

Abnormal curvature from side to side (abnormal posture)

Stinger

An overstretching of the nerves that can cause numbness and weakness to the arm and fingers

Vertebrae

Anatomical name for bones in the spine (contains a body, spinous process and transverse process)

Lordosis (swayback)

Excessive anterior curvature of the lumbar spine (abnormal posture)

Kyphosis (hunchback)

Excessive roundness of the thoracic spine (abnormal posture)

Spondylolisthesis

Forward slippage of the vertebra on the now below it due to spondylolysis

Lumbar Spine

Lower spine, 5 vertebrae

Thoracic Spine

Middle spine, 12 vertebrae

Neutral Spine

Normal alignment and curvature of the spinal column from the top and bottom

Spondylolysis

Stress fracture or bone degeneration of the vertebrae

Sacrum

Tailbone area, 5 fused vertebrae

Coccyx

Tailbone, 3-5 fused vertebrae

The core helps stabilize the back.

True

When dealing with a possible c-spine trauma, take off the helmet and pads carefully.

True

Cervical Spine

Upper spine, 7 vertebrae

Cervical Spine Trauma

Usually due to hyperflexion/hyerextension (whiplash) of the neck or compression of vertebrae

Abdominal Muscles

rectus abdominis, external oblique and internal oblique,

Functions of the spine

-Protects spinal cord -Hold body in upright position site for muscular attachments

Disk Herniation

-When nucleus pulpous pushes through the annular fibrosis -Not common in younger athletes -Usually bulge to posterior or to the side, not usually anterior

How many bones are in the spine?

33 bones

Normal Posture

-Aligned -Just behind the ear -Through the center of the shoulder -Middle of the greater trochanter of the hip

Intervertebral Disks

-Lie between the vertebrae -Absorbs shock -Keep vertebrae separated (allows movement and flexibility) -Provides space for nerve to exit the spinal cord to the rest of the body -Have bo blood supply so healing is slow

A golfer is experiencing low back pain. Before beginning a round, he does a lot of stretching exercises to help loosen his back. As the round progresses, he reports that his back gets stiffer, and, after twelve or thirteen holes, the pain is so bad that it almost impossible for him to hit with is driver, fairway woods, or long irons. He says that he tries to keep stretching throughout the round to make his back feel better. What can an athletic trainer recommend that might help correct his problem.

1. Don't stretch the strain or it can cause a tear

A disc _____ occurs when the annular ______ weakens. This allows the nucleus ____ to protrude into the nerve.

1. Herniation 2. Fibrosis 3. Pulpous

A defect in the vertebrae caused by repeated stress from _____ that may result in a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis is known as _______

1. Hyperextension 2. Spondylolysis

A gymnast constantly hyperextends her lower back. She complains of stiffness and persistent aching across the low back with increased pain after but not during practice. The athlete feels that she needs to change positions frequently or self-manipulate her low back to reduce the pain. She is beginning to develop pain in her buttock and some muscle weakness in her leg. What type of injury should be suspected? Can anything be done about it?

1. Injury is a Disc Herniation 2. She can take a break from physical activity, physical therapy, strenthing her back and form.

A stinger is trauma to the _______ or the cervical spine. It is usually caused by the _____ going in one direction and the shoulder/arm being pulled in the opposite direction

1. Nerves 2. Head

Pain at a location other than the injured organ or site is known as ______ _______

1. Referred pain

When a football player tackles head first it is known as _______. It can cause trauma to the ________ ______.

1. Spearing 2. Spinal Cord

Contusion most frequently occur in ____ as a result of a direct hit.

1. Spine/Back

As people age, the intervertebral discs get thicker

False

Chronic stingers can be ignored. There is really nothing you can do about it.

False

If you break your back, you are automatically paralyzed.

False

Muscles do not affect posture.

False

The weaker your core, the better.

False

Nucleus Pulpous

Jellylike core

Brachial Plexus injuries

Network of nerves that exit the cervical spine and run through the shoulder down the arm - Burning or stinging pain

Annulus Fibrosus

Outer rings of cartilage

Erector Spine

Trapezius (cervical extension) Scalenius (cervical flexion)

Lumbar Vertebrae Movements

Trunk Flexion, Trunk Extension, and Lateral Trunk Flexion