Vertebra prominens is the common name for 7th cervical vertebra or C7, the largest and most inferior vertebra of the cervical region of the spine. It is named because it has a large spinous process that protrudes posteriorly and can be felt prominently on palpation. Vertebra prominens is easily recognized on palpation of the back of […]
Spine
Lumbosacral Plexopathy – Causes and Management
Lumbosacral plexopathy is an injury to the nerves in the lumbar or sacral plexus. Lumbosacral plexopathy can be caused by many disorders. The prevalence of lumbosacral plexopathies is unknown and is much less common than brachial plexopathies. Risk factors vary based on cause. Relevant Anatomy The lumbar and sacral plexuses together make lumbosacral plexus which […]
Transitional Vertebra Definition and Types
Transitional vertebra at any junction is characterized by features retained from two adjacent regions in the vertebral column. For example in the lumbosacral transitional vertebra, there is an L5 vertebra can become like S1 vertebra or S1 can leave the sacrum and become L6. As we know from our knowledge of the anatomy of the […]
Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra or LSTV
Lumbosacral transitional vertebra refers to a spectrum of are congenital spinal anomalies involving L5 and adjacent vertebrae and varies from complete fusion of L5 with the sacrum, called sacralization to complete separation of S1 from the sacrum and present as L6, called lumbarization. When the L5 vertebra fuses completely to the sacrum, 4 lumbar vertebrae […]
Adjacent Segment Disease Causes and Treatment
Adjacent Segment Disease is defined as new degenerative changes at a spinal level adjacent to a surgically treated level or levels in the spine, leading to symptoms of radiculopathy, myelopathy, or instability. It is denoted as ASDis This condition may or may not result in any symptoms. The term adjacent segment degeneration (ASDeg) is used […]
Neurogenic Claudication – Risks, Pathophysiology and Treatment
Neurogenic claudication, also called pseudoclaudication, is a common symptom of lumbar spinal stenosis due to causing impingement or inflammation of the spinal nerves Claudication refers to an impairment in walking or pain, discomfort, numbness, or tiredness in the legs that occurs during walking or standing and is relieved by rest. The word claudication comes from the Latin claudicare meaning ‘to limp’. Thus, it is […]
Spinal Stenosis – Causes, Types, Symptoms and Treatment
Spinal stenosis indicates a pathological condition causing the compression of the contents of the canal, especially neural structures. The term stenosis means a narrowing of the caliber of an orifice or a tube. Spinal stenosis, therefore, defines a narrowing of the bone channel occupied by the spinal nerves or the spinal cord. This is usually […]
Bertolotti Syndrome – Causes and Treatment
Bertolotti syndrome is the presence of a variation of the fifth lumbar vertebra with a large transverse process, either articulated or fused with the sacral basis or iliac crest, producing a chronic, persistent lower back pain. It may also cause isolated L4/5 disc disease. Bertolotti described a unilateral and bilateral enlargement of the transverse process […]
What is Spinal Tumor Syndrome?
Spinal tumor syndrome is not a condition in itself. It is a clinical label for the patient’s condition with many differentials in the offering. Most often, the term is used in cases of spine tuberculosis where there is no apparent osseous lesion. To understand spinal tumor syndrome one must first know about the typical presentation […]
Do Backpacks Cause Back Pain in Children?
Back pain in children is not that common and often may be associated with underlying disorders. However, recent evidence has suggested backpacks in school going children to be a cause of back pain. The school going does involve carrying backpacks filled with books and materials and is continuing to be so in future time, it […]