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Bio 168

Essay by   •  August 27, 2016  •  Coursework  •  508 Words (3 Pages)  •  768 Views

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  • Herniated Discs

AKA   ruptured disc, slipped disc

  • Occurs when a spinal disc ruptures, allowing the fluid in the disc to leak out and irritate nearby nerves.
  • This also causes a decrease in ability of the disc to cushion the joints of the vertebraeback pain and limited mobility
  • This occurs most often in cervical and lumbar discs, but herniation of thoracic discs can occur as well = MEDICAL EMERGENCY  may result in paralysis

Risk Factors 

  • Herniated discs are most common between ages 30-50, because discs naturally degenerate with age!

OTHER RISK FACTORS INCLUDE

  • EXCESS WEIGHT
  • REGULAR HEAVY LIFTING, BENDING, AND TWISTING
  • PREVIOUS BACK PROBLEMS
  • SMOKING
  • GENETIC FACTORS MALES
  • TALL HEIGHT
  • BONE DISORDERS
  • DEGENERATIVE DISCS

Clinical Manifestations

  • Will depend on severity and location of herniated disc
  • If herniated disc isn’t compressing a nerve, client may be asymptomatic.
  • If nerve compression present, s/s  pain in lower back, buttocks, thigh and leg, numbness and tingling, muscle weakness

  • A herniated disc in the lumbar region may cause a condition called SCIATICA
  • Sciatica  when irritation or compression of all or part of sciatic nerve, which originates in lower back produces pain and neuro effects.
  •  Sciatica nerve is the longest nerve in the body
  • Two main branches
  • On each side of lower body
  • Pelvis deep buttock  down leg
  • Manifestations
  • Pain, burning, tingling, and numbness from buttocks to leg/foot
  • Usually affects only one side of the body
  • May be more severe when sitting, standing, or walking
  • Sciatica may be aggravated by sneezing or coughing.
  • Other s/s
  • Forward tilt
  • Changes in knee/ankle reflex
  • Changes in mobility/motor function
  • May experience muscle spasms and problem with sexual fx
  • OTHER
  • Cauda equine syndrome
  • Medical emergency
  • Requires immediate intervention/surgery to treat pressure on nerves
  • May result in permanent neurological impairment including urinary incontinence and paralysis.
  • Lifespan considerations
  • Herniated discs are rare in children
  • When present in children, it is usually a genetic cause or related to trauma/MVA
  •  (+) straight-leg-raise test = client lay on back, and clinician raises one leg with knee straight. If pain is present at 30-75® = herniated disc L4-S1
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Health history
  • Physical exam
  • Mobility tests        
  • Straight-leg-raise test
  • Gait test
  • Reflex test
  • Muscle strength test
  • Imaging test
  • CT scan – most common
  • MRI – used for more severe cases
  • Myelogram -

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