10/16 Thoracic Spine/Ribs Exam & treatment

Question 1

what are possible origins of thoracic/ rib pain?

Answer 1

musculoskeletal, referred pain from pleura, gastic pain, cardiac, almost all viscera, cancer, etc.

Question 2

What locations should chest expansion be measured at (particularly for Ankylosing Spondylitis)?

Answer 2

axilla, xiphoid, 10th rib. Measure the difference between maximal expiration and full
inspiration. The difference should be at least 2.5 cm.

Question 3

if a patient cannot flex, what is the restriction?

Answer 3

opening restriction

Question 4

if a patient cannot side bend to the right, what are the possible restrictions?

Answer 4

restrictions may lie in the ability of the right facet to close or extend, or the left facet to open or flex.

Question 5

where is the inclinometer placed to measure thoracic ROM?

Answer 5

At T1 and T12 (difference calculated for ROM)

Question 6

A restricted rib can disturb the motion of the ribs above and/or below it. What is the restricted rib called?

Answer 6

the key rib

Question 7

What is a depressed rib?

Answer 7

One that stops moving, relative to adjacent ribs, during inspiration.

Question 8

What is an elevated rib?

Answer 8

one that stops moving, relative to other ribs, during expiration.

Question 9

Which side is usually the side of dysfunction in ribs, the symptomatic side, or the asymptomatic side?

Answer 9

the symptomatic side

Question 10

what is the descriptive for the motion of the upper ribs?

Answer 10

pump handle motion

Question 11

what is the description for the motion of the lower ribs?

Answer 11

bucket handle motion