National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

Which condition is characterized by anterior wedging of the vertebrae due to inflammation at the ring epiphysis?

1. Scheuermann disease

2. Osteogenesis imperfecta

3. Spinal stenosis

4. Spinal muscular atrophy

The correct answer is: Scheuermann disease

The condition characterized by anterior wedging of the vertebrae due to inflammation at the ring epiphysis is indeed Scheuermann disease. This condition is a type of juvenile kyphosis that typically occurs during periods of rapid growth in adolescence. The anterior wedging occurs as a result of vertebral body growth abnormalities, particularly at the end plates of the vertebrae, leading to a characteristic increase in thoracic kyphosis. In Scheuermann disease, the inflammation at the ring epiphysis disrupts normal vertebral body formation and growth, resulting in the wedging effect that can cause significant postural changes and discomfort. It often presents with back pain, which may be exacerbated by physical activity and can lead to cosmetic postural deformities. This condition differs distinctly from other options listed, as osteogenesis imperfecta is primarily a genetic disorder affecting collagen production, leading to fragile bones and multiple fractures; spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal which can lead to nerve compression symptoms; and spinal muscular atrophy is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness due to motor neuron degeneration, not specifically affecting the structure of the vertebrae in the same way that Scheuermann disease does.