Traumatic Synthesis Case Study

The spine is one of the most important structures in the human body. The spine is located in the dorsal cavity and consists of 24 bones, called vertebrae. These vertebrae play a crucial role in protected the body’s command center, the spinal cord. But what happens when a disorder prevents the spinal column from functioning correctly? Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder that causes abnormal lateral curvature of the spine and it effects millions of people in the US per year. I have chosen this disorder because I am aspiring to become a chiropractor and scoliosis is a typical condition that chiropractors help treat on a daily basis.

DOI: 12/3/2012. The patient is a 49-year-old male route sales representative who sustained a work-related injury to his lumbar spine and shoulders while lifting a bread rack out of his truck. Patient is status post bilateral L4-5 laminotomy, complete facetectomy and foraminotomy on 01/14/15.

DOI: 11/5/2004. Patient is a 58-year-old male pitcher driller who sustained a work-related injury to his low back when he slipped and fell backwards while cleaning a tub with a shovel. As per OMNI entry, the patient underwent laminectomy with decompression at L3-4 and L4-5 with degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 on 07/14/2005; however, the surgery failed.

X-rays of the lumbar spine dated 11/6/2015 revealed mild loss of the disc heights at L4-L5 and posteriorly at L5-S1 level, consistent with degenerative disc disease. There are also anterior endplate osteophytes at

DOI: 8/24/2008. Patient is a 55-year-old female manager who sustained injury to her neck and back when she slipped and fell while walking down a set of pull out stairs. Per OMNI, she is diagnosed with cervical strain with radiculopathy and lumbar radiculopathy. She underwent C5-6 partial corpectomy and fusion in 05/31/2011.

Prognosis is guarded at this time since the patient is actively rehabbing and treatment is incomplete. The patient understands that chiropractic management through active and passive treatments have been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of chronic spinal soft tissue injuries.

Patient lost consciousness and awoke in the hospital. Radiograph were performed; x-rays of the chest, cervical spine, and lumbar spine as well. Results indicated fracture at the right transverse process of L4 vertebra and no significant findings in the cervical spine. However, upon referral with a diagnosis of cervical strain and lumbar strain three weeks after the accident. He presents in the clinic stating increased dizziness, headaches, and unable to move his neck. Pain is intolerable and pain medications did not make any difference. Per patient, unable to sleep owing to increased pain in the neck radiating to his spine. Upon assessment, increased a sharp pain in the bottom of the neck with tingling and numbness radiating to the side of her little finger. Pain is unrelieved with rest. HE also demonstrates weakness in his grip strength and always drops his objects when he tries to grip

Full title: The confusion continues: results from an American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) survey on massive transfusion practices among United States trauma centers.

Imaging of musculoskeletal disorders began in the early 1900’s with the invention and utilization of radiography and fluoroscopic equipment (McKinnis, 2014). Evolutions in imaging now allow for clearer digital recorded images of fluoroscopy, radiographs, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (McKinnis, 2014). From the beginning, imaging has not been an isolated or sole diagnostic tool. The clinician’s expertise in the evaluation process, the comprehensive evaluation and assessment of the patient, documented and reported patient history, associated signs and symptoms, and the additional medical test results along with red flags must be taken into account when considering referral for imaging (Dutton, 2012; McKinnis, 2014). There are several clinical prediction rules and guidelines, which have been created to assist health care providers in managing the utilization and prevention of inappropriate imaging (Dutton, 2012; Gan, Harkey, Hemingway, Hughes, & Duszak, 2016; Gidwani et al., 2016; McKinnis, 2014). Based on the aforementioned information, not all spinal patients will require or should receive spinal imaging.

Injuries can occur for various reasons. An athlete can be injured on several levels, a traumatic injury occurs when there is contact or to much force for muscles, bones, or joints to endure. A sprain, a pulled muscle, concussion, and a broken bone are all considered traumatic injuries. Overuse injuries happen with a gradual breakdown of an athletes body. These injuries can often be prevented your through a dedicated commitment in preparing your body, mind, and spirit to the intense regiment that competitive athletics requires.

Gunshot wound, stabbing, motor vehicle accident, major burns, or a serious fall and one will find themselves on the way to the nearest trauma center. Whether it be by helicopter or ambulance, paramedic and nurses will be providing critical, life sustaining care for the patient until arrival at the trauma center. In Omaha, Nebraska there are two level I trauma centers; CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center Bergan Mercy and the University of Nebraska Medical Center~ Nebraska Medicine. Children’s Hospital and Medical Center is also a licensed level II trauma center located in Omaha, Nebraska specializing in pediatric trauma.

Developmental spondylolisthesis occurs when someone has inherited the disease, along with Acquired spondylolisthesis is when a patient has placed tremendous strain on their body otherwise has attained a single force if not multiple forces to the spinal range (Rodts, 1). Six different types of levels that can be used for diagnosis determinations. Type I is positioned mainly in the L5-S1 area therefore partakes a dysplastic or congenital in the articular process (Highsmith, 1). Type II includes three different forms of correlated to its malfunction; Complete fracture of the Pars is due to overreach or use, Micro-fractures of the pars that cultivate new pars which at that time thrust old pars into an onward position, also Complete fracture can be triggered by trauma to the area (Highsmith, 1). Type III comes along with the aging process. Frequently seen in women over 50 and positioned in the L4-5 (Highsmith, 1). Type IV suffer through fractures of the vertebra along the pars at that point the facet joints separated (Highsmith, 1). Type V are due to tumors that enhance instability furthermore induces the slipping effect (Highsmith, 1). Type VI is a consequence of deteriorated pars after a laminectomy surgery (Highsmith, 1). Degeneration of the spine causes the disc to alter to a brittle state (Highsmith, 1). Having a

If pulling force becomes excessive, injuries can occur. Physical therapists have a low occurrence of injury from cervical traction. The highest rate of injury is observed in chiropractor’s offices (Fabio, R., 1999). The injuries associated with this technique are mostly minor problems like headaches. Some are much more severe in some cases resulting in death. Other more serious conditions include injuries that can occur to the brain stem and spinal

As a physical therapist working in an outpatient facility, majority of the patients that I manage suffer from neck injuries sustained from motor vehicular accidents or a fall incident. Handling patient with cervical spine injury is challenging as it is vulnerable to further injury should it not be rehabilitated with extreme caution. It is essential that the clinician should not rely solely on diagnostic reports and should perform significant detailed assessments that include ligamentous stability tests with individuals that had cervical spine trauma (Mckinnis, 2014 p. 159). It should be noted that in any motor vehicular accident it is important to identify injury patterns and trauma protocols should be applied. Injuries brought about by motor vehicle accidents are not always apparent. For instance, during evaluation there is no evidence of any soft tissue damage or any manifestation of fractures, but one can still end up with long-term disability due to back or neck pain. With that, an exhaustive physical examination coupled with an appropriate diagnostic procedure will give more information about the patient’s condition and guide treatment decisions. This is truly vital because there are times reports that was initially identified as normal but later progressed into something fatal that might bring about disability or worse – death. For this reason, it is indispensable for medical personnel to have sufficient knowledge about radiologic findings. Therapists should be

A review of the literature regarding spinal immobilisation has been undertaken using databases for PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, OVID and Cochrane EBM. Reviews were electronically searched using the subject headings “spinal injuries”, “spinal immobilisation” and “management of spinal injuries”. The results generated by the search were limited to English language articles and reviewed for relevance to the topic. The aim of this literature review is to compare and contrast the views on spinal immobilisation and to achieve a better knowledge of evidence based practice.