Ankylosing Spondylitis

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An inflammatory condition of unknown etiology which initiates as inflammation in the sacral region. It results in progressive loss of spinal motion due to progressive inflammation and vertebral fusion.

alternative accessible content Ankylosing processhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Senseiwa / CC BY-SA

Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD)

Refers to bony and/or soft tissue injury in the cervical spine and upper quarter due to acceleration-deceleration forces. Injury is to ligaments and muscles; stretch forces to neuromuscular structures may account for increased sensitization. Due to complaints of dizziness and balance changes, these patients may be a fall risk.

Outcomes for WAD are negatively affected by fear avoidance or catastrophizing behaviors. Examples include patient belief that the symptoms will never improve.

Symptoms of WAD include:

  • pain
  • headache
  • decreased spinal mobility
  • stiffness
  • low back pain
  • shoulder pain
  • visual disturbances
  • dizziness

Classification of WAD

  • Grade 0: No pain or physical symptoms
  • Grade I: No physical signs of musculoskeletal dysfunction; subjective reports of pain, stiffness, and tenderness
  • Grade II: Some physical signs of cervical movement dysfunction; subjective symptoms reported
  • Grade III: Physical and neurological signs of cervical dysfunction; subjective symptoms reported
  • Grade IV: Pain with fracture or dislocation

Sacroiliac Dysfunction

This is characterized by non-specific low back and hip pain, which may radiate into the groin. Other symptoms include sharp pain with position changes in bed, point tenderness in PSIS or pubis, pain with stairs, sit to stand, or hopping on one leg. Pain may also be provoked in end-range straight leg raise

Instability may result from trauma or overuse, and may involve the ligaments or be driven by muscle imbalances that place rotational or translational forces through the joint. Muscle length tension contributors include hip flexors, hamstrings, gluteals, erector spinae, quadratus lumborum, and abdominals

alternative accessible content Sacroiliac JointBlausen.com staff (2014). "Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014". WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. / CC BY