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Evaluation of back pain and other disorders of the Spine. Sandeep konduru M.B.B.S, FRCS Ed (Tr & Orth ) consultant orthopaedic Spine surgeon. What to refer When to refer Where to refer Recent advances in Spine surgery – Minimally invasive surgery. Elective cases. Spinal stenosis
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Evaluation of back pain and other disorders of the Spine Sandeep konduru M.B.B.S, FRCSEd (Tr & Orth)consultant orthopaedic Spine surgeon
What to refer • When to refer • Where to refer • Recent advances in Spine surgery – Minimally invasive surgery
Elective cases Spinal stenosis Lumbar/Cervical disc prolapse Degenerate disc/facet joint disease Myelopathy • Back pain • Neck pain • Leg pain • Arm pain • Neurological symptoms
Case 1 – 50 year old gentleman Back pain with bilateral leg pain, heaviness Leg symptoms get worse on walking, relieved by sitting Distal pulses and vascular exam Abnormal Normal Spinal stenosis Vascular referral Spinal referral
Treatment for spinal stenosis • Non operative • Operative • Limited role for medical therapy
5-7 days post op stay • Increased post op pain • Longer recovery
Minimally invasive spine surgery • Small incisions • Less muscle and tissue damage • Decreased blood loss • Less post op pain, early discharge and recovery, improved early and long term function • Cost effective
Case 2 - 30 yr old self employed joiner Sciatica +/- Back pain Caudaequina symptoms No Yes Analgesia, exercises, education Urgentreferral to spine surgeon Improvement in 4-6 weeks No Yes Discharge Referral to Spine surgeon
Examination • History • Physical Examination • Nerve root tension signs • Straight leg raise • Bowstring sign • Femoral stretch test • Neurological exam • P.R exam
Lumbar discectomy – • Wait for 12 months before offering surgery
Effectiveness of surgery decreases in patients with symptoms longer than 12 months
Lumbar microdiscectomy • Early surgery gives better clinical results • Early surgery is cost effective • Decreasing incidence of complications (much safer than a THR)
Lumbar microdiscectomy – A day case procedure • Go home the same day of surgery • High patient satisfaction • Quicker recovery • Minimally invasive approach – operating microscope
Lumbar disc prolapse causing radiculopathy – my approach • Advice and analgesia for 6 weeks • Persistent pain after 6-8 weeks • Conservative management • Nerve root blocks • Microdiscectomy
Case 3 R/oRedflags Chronic back pain Education, analgesia, CBT, Physiotherapy, Functional rehabilitation programme, acupuncture, osteopathic manipulations Address yellow, orange flags Improvement No Yes Discharge Referral to Spinal surgeon
Identify pain source • Discography • Facet joint injections
‘‘No, this won’t help your back, but I’m getting great reception for the big game!’’
Case 4 • 65 year old lady with back pain following minor fall • Radiograph • Osteoporotic vertebral fracture
1 in 2 women above age of 50 years • 1 in 4 men above age of 50 years • Vast majority unrecognised • Persistent pain in a third of cases
Clinical consequences of vertebral compression fractures • Acute and chronic pain • Impairment in activities of daily living • Loss of mobility • Depression • Progressive kyphosis • Shortness of breath • Increased mortality
Case 4 65 year old lady with back pain following minor fall Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures Analgesia, +/- brace, treatment for osteoporosis Improvement in 6 weeks No Yes Discharge Refer to spine surgeon
Vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Neck pain Case 5 Red flags Yes Urgent Spinal referral No Myelopathy Arm pain Neck pain
Cervical radiculopathy • History
Cervical radiculopathy • Nerve root tension signs • Spurling’s test • Axial compression test • Upper limb tension test
Cervical disc prolapse • Treatment • Conservative • Nerve root block • Surgical (Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion)
Cervical myelopathy • High index of suspicion especially in the elderly • Natural history • Treatment • Observation • Surgery
Cervical myelopathy • Hoffman’s sign • Walking Rhomberg’s • Grip and release • Inverted supinator and inverted biceps reflexes • Brisk reflexes • Upgoingplantars • Sustained clonus
Neck pain • Second most frequent musculoskeletal cause for consultation in primary care. • Aetiology • Muscular, postural, stress, depression, degenerative discs and facets
Neck pain - treatment • Surgery usually ineffective unless for instability • Conservative treatment • Exercise based therapy • Manual therapy, manipulation
More urgent problems • Trauma • Tumour • Infection • Caudaequina / Spinal cord compression
Red flags • New onset back pain in patients <20 and >55 years old • Mid thoracic back pain • Past history of cancer • Back pain with fever, chills, rigors, weight loss, etc • Progressive neurology • Bladder / bowel symptoms, perineal numbness
Summary Don’t forget the red flags
Summary • Most elective conditions are self limiting • Early surgery efficacious and cost effective • Trend towards minimally invasive techniques • Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Where to refer? • University Hospital of North Staffordshire • Nuffield Health North Staffordshire Hospital, Newcastle-under- Lyme • Private referrals • Choose and book (NHS) www.spineconsultant.co.uk
Sandeep Konduru • Full time Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon • Combined Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic Spine Fellowship • Consultant Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon – UHNS • Special interests • degenerative pathology of the entire spine • cervical spine surgery • Minimally invasive spine surgery www.spineconsultant.co.uk
Sandeep Konduru • Non academic pursuits • Travel • Racquet sports • Aasha Charity (www.aasha.org.uk) www.spineconsultant.co.uk
Charity Cricket match(for tickets contact Sandeep: 07515379010) • 9th September 2011 • Okamoor Cricket Club • Cricket and curry • Other entertainment and activities • Children’s cricket