Disorders Abnormal Curvatures of Spinal Column Name of

Disorders & Abnormal Curvatures of Spinal Column

Name of Spinal Disorder/Abnormality Characteristics

Whiplash • Cervical sprain • Soft tissue injury • Neck is forced to move out of normal range of motion

Compression Fracture Occurs when the load of vertebrae exceeds its capacity/stability

Intervertebral disk • composed of an outer fibrous part (anulus fibrosus) that surrounds a central gelatinous mass (nucleus pulposus).

spinal disc herniation

• Commonly called slipped disk, heriated disk, ruptured disk • a tear in the outer, fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion to be extruded to the outside of the disc.

Spondylolysis • Spondylolysis: occurs when a vertebra slips over the one below it • Caused by excessive or forceful extension of the Vetebral column. • great majority of cases occur in the lowest of the lumbar vertebrae (L 5) – spondylolysis may also occur in the other lumbar vertebrae, as well as in the thoracic vertebrae.

Dislocation fractures • ligaments and/or discs connecting two vertebrae together are stretched or torn, the bones may come out of alignment • Example: rapid forward motion of the upper body against a seat belt pulls apart the vertebra and stretches the ligaments. • can cause instability and spinal cord compression. They usually require stabilization surgery or a brace.

Kyphosis • Exaggerated thoracic curve • “hunch back”

Lordosis