5. THE VERTEBRAL DISC
The intervertebral disc is a cartilaginous plate,
tough and fibrous material is incorporated in a
capsule
A ball like cushion in the centre of the disc is
called nucleus pulposus
The fibrous ring around the disc is called
annulus.
6.
7.
8. INTERVERTEBRAL DISC
DISEASE
Intervertebral disc diseases is a condition that
involves the deterioration ,herniation or other
dysfunction of the intervertebral disc
It involves,
Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar
11. DEFINITION
IVDP is a condition in which a tear in the outer,
fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) of the intervertebral
disc allows the soft central portion(nucleus pulposus)
to bulge out.
Common sites :L4-L5, C6-C7, L5-S1, C5-C6
13. Repeated stress and trauma to spine
Repetitive mechanical activities (frequent
bending, twisting, lifting)
Traumatic injury
Spinal stenosis(narrowing of the spinal canal
forces the disc to prolapse)
Obesity
14. Practicing poor posture(improper spinal alignment
strains the back and neck)
Tobacco use weakens the disc
Spondylosis- wear and tear of spinal disc
15. STAGES OF DISC HERNIATION
Degeneration : there is no bulge
Prolapse: just a bulge, contained herniation-
nucleus is with in annulus
Extrusion: non contained herniation
Sequestration: it act as a free fragment - no
continuity with the parent disc
16.
17. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
In the herniation of intervertebral disc the
nucleus of the disc protrudes into the annulus
with subsequent nerve compression
18. IN NUCLEUS
Degenerative changes
Loss of protein polysaccharides in the disc
decreases the water content of the nucleus
and it starts to dry out and shrink
Loss of elasticity, flexibility and shock
absorbing capabilities
20. These changes limit the ability of the disc to
distribute pressure between vertebra
The loads are transferred to annulus fibrosus
With the structural damage nucleus pulposus
may sweeps through a torn or stretched annulus
22. CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
It depends on the location, the rate of
development(acute or chronic) and the effect
on the surrounding structures
23. Cervical spine
Radiculopathy: radiating pain, numbness, tingling and
diminished strength or range of motion
Pain and stiffness in the neck, in the top of the shoulders,
region of scapulae
24. Pain the upper extremities and head
Paraesthesia (tingling or pin and needle sensation)
Numbness of the extremities
Weak handgrip
25. Lumbar spine
Lower back ache with muscle spasm followed by,
Radicular pain that radiates down the buttocks and below the
knee along sciatic nerve
Straight leg raising test (SLR) positive due to nerve root irritation.
27. Reflexes depressed or absent
Paraesthesia or muscle weakness in legs ,feet and
toes
Pain aggravates on bending ,lifting or straining,
sneezing or coughing due to increased intra spinal
fluid pressure
Sensory loss
28. ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS
History and physical examination
MRI scan (protrusion and
compression)
CT scan
X ray –to detect structural defects
31. Bed rest (usually 1-2 days)-eliminates stress and
gravity.
Proper positioning on a firm mattress.
Cervical collar, cervical traction or a brace
Collar-holds the head in a neutral or slightly
flexed position
Cervical isometric exercises (strengthen neck
muscles)
37. Intra discal electro thermoplasty (IDET)
Minimally invasive – OP procedure
Inserting needle to the affected disc
with the help of X ray
The wire is threaded down through
the needle in to the disc
38.
39.
40. The wire is heated and it denervates the small
nerve fibres
The heat melts the annulus fibrosus which
trigger the body to generate new reinforcing
proteins in the fibres of annulus
41. Radio frequency discal nucleoplasty
Probe geSame as IDET, instead of heat,
radio frequency fibre is used
nerate energy which breaks the molecular
bonds of the gel in the nucleus pulposus.
42. Interspinous process decompression system
A device made of titanium is fits on to a mount that is
placed on vertebra in the lower back
It is used in patients with pain due to lumbar spinal
stenosis
43.
44. Discectomy
It is a surgical procedure to decompress the nerve
root
Microsurgical discectomy: using microscope the
surgeon visualise the disc and increase safety,
make effective and reduce rehabilitation time.
45. Laminectomy
Common and traditional surgical procedure for
lumbar disc disease
It involves the surgical excision of the
vertebra(lamina) to gain access to the spinal
cord or to relieve pressure on nerves.
52. Lumbar fusion
• Anterior lumbar fusion is an
operation done on the
front (the anterior region) of
the lower spine.
• Fusion surgery helps two or more
bones grow together into one
solid bone.
•Moss Miami fixation
53. Complications of disc surgery
Archnoiditis- inflammation of arachinoid
membrane
Adhesions and scarring around the spinal nerves
chronic neuritis and neurofibrosis.
Disc surgery may relieve pressure ,but not reverse
the effects of neural injury, scarring and pain.
54. Failed disc syndrome
Remaining of the disability
Hematoma at surgical site leads to cord
compression
55. Nursing management
Assessment (pre op)
Ask about past injuries
Determine onset, location and radiation of pain
Assess paraesthesia, limited movement and diminished
function of neck ,shoulders and upper extremities
56. Whether the symptoms are bilateral with large herniation's
(cord compression)
Palpate the area around the cervical spine to assess muscle
tone and tenderness
Range of motion in neck and shoulders
57. Nursing management
Ask about health issues that may affect post op function
Assess mood and stress levels
Assess bowel and bladder function
Teach legrolling ,deep breathing coughing
exercise and muscle setting exercise
58. Assessment (post op)
After lumbar disc excision
Vital signs (BP, pulse for CVS function assessment,
respiratory difficulty)
Wound (haemorrhage, vascular injury)
Post op neurologic deficit
Sensation and motor strength of extremities
Colour temperature and sensation of toes
Urinary retention (sign of neurologic deficit)
59. Nursing diagnosis
Acute pain related to surgical procedure
Impaired physical mobility related to post op surgical
regimen
Deficient knowledge about the post op course
Anxiety related to surgery
61. Nursing interventions
Relieving pain and medications
The patient may be kept flat in the bed for 12 to 24 hrs.
Monitor site for hematoma
Administer prescribed medications
Post op- requires opioids such as IV morphine 24 to 48 hrs
Patient controlled analgesics for continued pain
Once fluid diet takes then oral medications
Muscle relaxant
63. Potential for CSF leakage
Inspect dressing for serosanguinous drainage (dural
leak)
Report and care for headache
Note colour, amount and characteristics
64. Monitor neurologic signs frequently
Sensation, numbness, paraesthesia, tingling
Temperature, capillary refill and pulses
Swallowing deficits ,upper and lower extremity
weakness
Assess sudden radicular or spinal root pain-spinal
instability
65. Paralytic ileus
May occur and affect bowel fuction
Manifest as –nausea, abdominal distention, constipation
Assess passage of flatus, bowel sounds in all quadrants
Flat soft abdomen
Provide stool softners ( eg: docusate)
66. Bladder emptying
Due to activity restriction, opioids and anaesthesia it may
affect
Use commode
Ambulate the patient
Ensure privacy
Intermittent catheterisation/indwelling catheter
Monitor incontinence/distention and report
67. Improving activities/mobility
-Limit activities and use rigid orthosis (thoraco-lambar-sacral orthosis)
-Chair back, brace, cervical collar(neck brace)
-Turn body instead of neck to look side to side
-Neck: position in neutral position
-Assist during position changes
-Alert for spinal cord edema: manifest as respiratory distress and
worsening neurologic status of upper limb.
68. Spinal fusion
Proper body mechanics
Avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods
Encourage activities if that include walking ,lying
down and shifting weight from one foot to the other
when standing
Restrict lifting
69. Teach to mentally think before activities
Any twisting movement of the spine is
contraindicated
Use thighs and knees than back to absorb shock of
movement
A firm mattress or bed board is essential
Monitor and manage potential complications