Medical-Legal Aspects of the Spine PDF eBook

• Author: Marjorie Eskay-Auerbach
  
• ISBN 10: 1-930056-81-8
  
• ISBN 13: 978-1-930056-81-7
  
• Copyright Date Ed:  August 1, 2005
  
• Pages: 126 pages
  
• PDF eBook

Discover this comprehensive book, complete with a discussion of the medical field, specifically the spine, and the legal implications that surround it.

This text provides beginning and intermediate-level medical information about conditions of the cervical and lumbar spine. Physical examination findings and diagnostic studies are discussed in detail. Explanations of common cervical and lumbar spine conditions, such as disc herniations, degenerative disc disease, and sprain/strain injuries are provided, along with treatment options. Non-surgical treatment, injection therapies, and surgical treatment are discussed with attention to both technique and indications. The goal of this text is to provide the reader with a practical reference to terminology frequently found in medical records and deposition testimony. Medical-Legal Aspects of the Spine is a must-have for anyone in the field who needs to know about types of treatment, disorders, and studies that involve the spine in the legal arena, backed by accomplished medical and legal expertise. It is a comprehensive text that provides specific, important information that can alter and enhance your case.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: An Overview of the Incidence of and Approach to Back Pain
1.1 Introduction
A. Incidence of neck and low back pain
B. Variations in treatment
1.2 Models for Understanding Back Pain
A. The injury/damage model
B. The biopsychosocial model for back pain
1.3 Litigation Related Considerations
1.4 Summary

Chapter 2: Providers of Care
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Types of Physician Education and Training
A. Allopathic physicians (M.D.)
B. Osteopathic physicians (D.O.)
C. Chiropractors (D.C.)
D. Naturopathic physicians (N.M.D.)
2.3 Primary Care Physicians
A. Introduction
B. Family practice
C. Internal medicine
D. Obstetrician-Gynecologists
2.4 Specialist Providers
A. Introduction
B. Orthopedic surgeon
C. Neurosurgeon
D. Spine surgeon
E. Physiatrist/physical medicine and rehabilitation <br>F. Neurologist
G. Rheumatologist
H. Spine specialist
I. Anesthesiologist
J. Pain management physician
K. Occupational medicine physician
2.5 Non-physician Providers
A. Physical therapist (P.T.)
B. Occupational therapist (O.T.)
C. Physician assistant (PA-C)
D. Nurse Practitioner (N.P.)
E. Acupuncturist
2.6 Summary

Chapter 3: Basic Anatomy and Terminology of the Spine
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Bony Anatomy
A. Spinal column
B. Bony spinal anatomy
3.3 Soft Tissue and Neural Structures
A. Intervertebral disc and components
B. Ligaments
C. Neural elements
3.4 Motion Segment
3.5 Musculature of the Cervical and Lumbar Spine
A. Introduction
B. Muscles of the cervical spine
C. Muscles of the lumbar spine
3.6 Miscellaneous Clinical Terms
3.7 Summary

Chapter 4: History and Physical Examination of the Patient with Neck or Back Pain
4.1 Introduction to Patient Evaluation
4.2 Chief Complaint and Patient History
4.3 Physical Examination
A. General considerations
B. Physical examination of the cervical spine and upper extremities
C. Physical examination of the lumbar spine
4.4 Evaluation of Patients With Chronic Neck and Back Pain
A. Introduction
B. Waddell's signs and nonorganic findings
4.5 Summary

Chapter 5: Diagnostic Imaging and Electrodiagnostic Studies of the Cervical and Lumbar Spine
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Terminology
A. Degenerative disc disease
B. Disc bulges and disc herniation
5.3 Plain X-rays
5.4 Computed Tomography or CT Scan
5.5 Myelogram
5.6 Magnetic Resonance Imaging
A. Overview
B. Clinical significance of MRI findings
C. Annular tears
5.7 Discography
5.8 Bone Scan
5.9 Imaging After Lumbar Spine Surgery
5.10 Neurophysiologic Testing: Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) Studies
5.11 Summary

Chapter 6: Common Conditions of the Cervical Spine
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Overview of Cervical Spine Conditions 54
6.3 Clinical Presentations
6.4 Cervical Spondylosis
6.5 Cervical Spine Sprain and Strain Injuries
6.6 Headaches
6.7 Cervical Radiculopathy
A. Upper cervical nerve roots
B. Lower cervical nerve roots
C. Other clinical findings in radiculopathy
D. Cervical disc herniations and radiculopathy
6.8 Cervical Myelopathy
6.9 Differential Diagnosis of Neck and Arm Pain
A. Impingement syndrome and rotator cuff disease in the shoulder
B. Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)
C. Entrapment neuropathies
6.10 Cervical Spine Imaging
A. Radiographic studies
B. Other diagnostic studies
6.11 Post-Traumatic Neck Pain
A. Litigation issues
B. Clinical presentation
C. Diagnosis
D. Anatomic changes and biomechanics
E. Treatment considerations
F. Prognosis
6.12 Summary

Chapter 7: Common Conditions of the Lumbar Spine
7.1 Introduction
7.2 The Degenerative Continuum
7.3 Common Conditions of the Lumbar Spine
A. Acute non-specific low back pain (lumbar sprain/strain injuries)
B. Chronic or unremitting low back pain
C. Lumbar disc herniation
D. Isthmic spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis <br>E. Degenerative spondylolisthesis
F. Spinal stenosis
G. Degenerative disc disease
H. Failed low back surgery syndrome
I. Pseudarthrosis of the lumbar spine (failed lumbar fusion)
7.4 Summary

Chapter 8: Non-Operative Treatment of Acute and Chronic Cervical and Lumbar Spine Pain
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Medications
A. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
B. Muscle relaxants
C. Oral corticosteroids
D. Non-narcotic analgesics
E. Narcotic analgesics
F. Antidepressant medication
G. Anticonvulsant medications
8.3 Non-medication Treatments
A. Bed rest and modification of activity
B. Thermal modalities
C. Traction
D. Manipulation
E. Manual therapy
F. Acupuncture
G. Physical therapy and exercise
H. Bracing
8.4 Injection Therapies
A. Epidural steroid injections
B. Selective nerve root injections
C. Trigger point injections
D. Facet injections and medial branch block
E. Radiofrequency facet denervation
8.5 Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
8.6 Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems
8.7 Summary

Chapter 9: Surgical Treatment Options for Cervical and Lumbar Spine Conditions 107
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Surgical Procedures in the Cervical Spine
A. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy
B. Anterior cervical discectomy without fusion
C. Posterior cervical foraminotomy
D. Posterior cervical decompression: laminectomy and laminoplasty
E. Surgical treatment of axial neck pain
F. Complications of cervical spine surgery
9.3 Discectomy and Decompression Procedures in the Lumbar Spine
A. Lumbar laminectomy and discectomy
B. Percutaneous discectomy
C. Arthroscopic microdiscectomy
D. Lumbar decompression laminectomy
9.4 Lumbar Fusion Procedures
A. Overview
B. Posterolateral transverse process fusion
C. Pedicle screw fixation
D. Interbody fusion
9.5 Disc Arthroplasty
9.6 Surgical Complications
9.7 Summary