Cervical Pathology

Question 1

Cervicalgia

Answer 1

Neck Pain with mobility deficits:

1. Age is less than 50 years old
2. Recent (Acute) Onset- less than 3 months
3. Symptoms isolated to the neck
4. Restriction in cervical Rom

Question 2

Cervicogenic Headache

Answer 2

Neck pain with headache

1. Unilateral headache with neck/ sub-occipital area further aggravated with neck movement
2. Pain reproduced with provocation of ipsilateral posterior cervical myofascia and joints
3. Restricted segmental cervical mobility (passive intervertebral accessory movements and active movements have lack of movement between segments)
4. Poor or abnormal performance on craniocervical flexion test (CCF)

Question 3

Spondylosis with Cervical Radiculopathy or cervical disc degenerative disease

Answer 3

Neck pain that radiates to above or below the elbow

1. Cluster: positive ULTT, positive spurlings, unable to rotate neck 60 degrees on involved side, pain and symptom reduction with cervical distraction

Question 4

Cervical Strain/Sprain (Chronic Neck Pain)

Answer 4

Neck pain with movement coordination impairments

1. Chronic neck pain of longer than 3 months
2. Abnormal or substandard results on DNF testing and/or CCF test
3. Specific coordination or decreased strength in specific muscles responsible for neck flexion, neck side bending, shoulder/ scapular elevation, depression, retraction, protraction, rotation, and other additional shoulder/ upper quarter movements
4. Ergonomic inefficiencies with repetitive activities (poor posture after repetitive movements)

Question 5

Canadian C-Spine Radiology Rules

Answer 5

1. Significant Trauma
2. Older than 65
3. Unable to rotate neck 45 degrees either side
4. Unable to perform exam safely
5. Any sign of parenthesis present