Cervical Spine Flashcards
What factors predispose individuals for C-Spine chronicity (6)?
Age over 40 years
Long history of neck pain
Loss of strength in hands
Poor QOL
Worrisome/anxious attitude
Reduced vitality
Discogenic pain typically causes pain in a ___________ pattern.
Dermatomal
Nerve root irritation may not always present in a __________ pattern.
Dermatomal
Two examples of how a nerve root may become irritated:
Inflammation
Nerve root adhesion
Identify 10 things to touch on in patient history for c-spine:
- Insidious onset
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Exact MOI
- Lhermitte’s sign
- Symptoms (SINS)
- Referred pain
- Previous episodes
- Flag items
Define Lhermitte’s sign:
Electric shock-like sensation occurring with flexion of the neck.
Cardiopulmonary systems review:
Vital signs
Integumentary systems review:
Skin check
MSK systems review:
UQS/UE ROM screen
Neuromuscular systems review:
Dermatome/myotome
DTR screening
Two red flags when screening:
UMN signs and symptoms
History of losing of consciousness
5 D’s and 3 N’s:
Dizziness, drop attacks, dysphagia, dysarthria, diplopia
Nausea, numbness, nystagmus
Cervical Myelopathy important red flags (7):
Unsteady gait
Hoffman’s reflex
Babinski
Clonus
Hyperreflexia
Multi-segmental weakness
Multi segmental sensory changes
Upper cervical ligamentous instability red flags (3):
Post trauma
RA
Down syndrome
If there is cervical trauma (fracture), what protocol is followed?
Canadian C-spine rules
Upper cervical ligamentous instability may have similar signs and symptoms to what?
VBI (vertebrobasilar insufficiency)
List 4 common cervical locations for referred pain:
Head
Upper trap/peri scap
Upper extremity
T4-5
Cervical spine muscle pain referral pattern: Trapezius
R / L occiput, lateral head above ear to behind eye, tip of jaw, spinous process to medial border of scap, lateral aspect of upper arm.
Differentiate between a closing or opening restriction in the C-spine
Closing: restriction of ipsilateral extension. Results in side-bending and rotation to contralateral side.
Opening: restriction of ipsilateral flexion. Results in side-bending and rotation to ipsilateral side.
What’s more common, closing or opening restriction?
Closing (way more common)
With cervical trauma, what two tests should be done?
Alar ligament stress test
Modified sharp-purser test
If you find a positive result during alar ligament stress test, what should be done?
Send Pt for MRI
What ligament does the modified sharp-purser test involve?
Transverse ligament
If either Alar ligament stress test or modified sharp-purser test are positive, what should be done?
Stop testing and refer for MRI!
Asymmetries in the C-spine are _____________ and not ____________ for pain.
Correlative and not causative
What is crucial to observe when Pt is rotating/side-bending?
The eyes (2-3 seconds) for nystagmus
Motions testing the lower cervical spine:
Rotation and side bending
Motions testing the upper cervical spine:
Flexion and extension
What are we looking for with McKenzie’s neck protrusion and retraction?
Reduction of radicular symptoms
Disc pathology tends to be ___ level(s), while stenosis tends to be ___ level(s).
1 level; multiple levels
PPIVMs are used to assess what?
Joint play at a single joint and between individual joints.
Describe the Likert scale
Hypomobility, normal, hypermobility.
0-1 hypo
2 normal
3-4 hyper
In clinical practice, PPIVM and PROM are ________.
combined
How can you test the deep cervical flexors?
Using a blood pressure cuff under the neck. Incrementally increase pressure to move the neck.
Important upper motor neuron pathology indication test on the upper extremity:
Hoffman’s sign
GCS stands for:
Glasgow coma scale
Identify the three high-risk factors that mandate radiography in the Canadian C-spine rules:
Age greater than 65 years
Dangerous MOI
Paresthesia in extremities
Identify the 5 low-risk factors that allow safe assessment of ROM:
Simple rear-end motor vehicle crash
Able to sit in the emergency department
Able to ambulate
Delayed onset neck pain
Absence of midline tenderness
Midline tenderness is a clue of what?
possible fracture
What is step 3 of the Canadian C-spine rules?
If all prerequisites are cleared, rotate neck 45 degrees to the right and left. If they can do this, they don’t need radiographs.
Two goals of P-A mobilization
Looking for a comparable sign
Hypo or Hyper mobility?
What is assessed first? UPAs or CPAs?
CPAs then UPAs
PAIVM stands for ____________.
Passive accessory intervertebral motion
2 PAIVM options for mid to lower cervical spine
CPA and UPA
What does a CPA do?
Assesses irritability and increases extension ROM
What does UPA do?
Assesses irritability and improves side-bending
Radiculopathy tends to respond favorably to what movement?
Extension
Stenosis tends to respond negatively to that movement?
Extension
Demographic for cervicalgia
Younger ages (<50 years)
ICD-10 for neck pain with mobility deficits:
Cervicalgia
ICD-10 for neck pain with radiating pain:
Spondylosis with radiculopathy
What cluster can help identify spondylosis with radiculopathy?
Ipsilateral cervical rotation <60, (+) ULTT, (+) cervical distraction, (+) spurling
If you identify this cluster, what should you suspect?
Ipsilateral cervical rotation <60, (+) ULTT, (+) cervical distraction, (+) spurling
Spondylosis with radiculopathy
ICD-10 for neck pain with headache:
Headache; cervicocranial syndrome
ICD-10 for neck pain with movement coordinated impairment:
Sprain and strain of cervical spine
(whiplash falls under this classification)
Identify 6 areas that refer pain FROM the cervical spine:
Head
Posterior occiput
Forehead
Shoulder
Scapula
UE
Identify an area that refers pain TO the cervical spine:
TMJ
A hyperextension or extension/flexion injury is termed what?
Whiplash associated disorder (WAD)
Identify 4 potential causes of WAD:
MVA
Falls
Pulls/thrusts on arms
Sports injury
Identify 6 things that can be involved in a WAD:
Damage to anterior longitudinal ligament
Tearing of joint capsule
Disc herniation
Muscle tears
Damage to sympathetic nervous system
TMJ injury
Identify the WAD stage: Symptoms of Neck pain, stiffness, tenderness. No signs.
WAD I
Identify the WAD stage: Symptoms of Neck pain, stiffness, tenderness. Signs of TTP (point tender) Decreased ROM (active > passive).
WAD II
Identify the WAD stage: Symptoms of Neck pain, stiffness, tenderness. Neurologic S/Sx
WAD III
Identify the WAD stage: Symptom of neck pain. Signs of fracture, subluxation, dislocation.
WAD IV
Why is the cervical collar controversial for WAD? What is a good strategy for use?
Long term use leads to dependence. God for immediately after injury, but should be weaned off. Increasing amounts of time off it every day.
If S/Sx of WAD persist for over 8 weeks, what should you check/rule out?
Instability with CT or MR
C1 fracture is also known as a what?
Jefferson fracture
What type of fracture is a C1 fracture and what is the MOI?
Burst fracture of anterior and posterior arches. MOI: axial compression
How is a C1 fracture diagnosed?
open mouth radiography shows spreading of lateral masses
What is a complication associated with a C1 fracture?
Disruption of the transverse ligament if lateral masses spread sufficiently.
Management of a C1 fracture. Minimally displaced vs moderately displaced.
Minimal: Orthosis - rigid collar (philadelphia collar)
Moderate: Halo then rigid collar
How is C1 marked displacement managed?
Cranial traction
Absolute bedrest
Halo then rigid collar
C2 Pedicle fracture is also called what?
Hangman’s fracture
What causes hangman’s fracture (C2)?
Hyperextension
How is a C2 fracture diagnosed?
Lateral view on radiograph
How is a C2 fracture managed? Unilateral vs displaced.
Unilateral: Halo or rigid collar
Displaced: Halo, ORIF (if instability persists)
Cause of a C2 dens fracture:
Result of high velocity trauma (MVA or fall)
How is a C2 dens fracture diagnosed?
Open mouth radiography
Spinous process avulsion fracture is also called what?
Clay shoveler’s fracture
What is the cause of a spinous process avulsion fracture?
Massive muscle contraction
What is the most common site of a spinous process avulsion fracture?
Tip of C7
T/F a spinous process avulsion fracture is painful but harmless.
True
What is the cause of a cervical subluxation?
Flexion injury
Management of a cervical subluxation (2):
Rigid collar
Posterior fusion for persistent instability
Describe the motion of the vertebra in a cervical subluxation:
Body subluxes forward on one below.
Condition characterized by ipsilateral lateral neck flexion of the head with contralateral rotation present.
Torticollis
Torticollis typically involves what demographic?
Infants
Torticollis most commonly results from what physiologic changes?
Unilateral shortening and thickening or excessive contraction of the SCM.
Identify three types of Torticollis:
Congenital muscular
Secondary
Spasmodic
Secondary Torticollis occurs most commonly in what demographic?
Adults
What is the most common cause of secondary torticollis?
Cervical muscle spasm
Spasmodic torticollis is also known as what? What does it involve?
Cervical dystonia. Involuntary twisting or clonic movements of the neck.
Spondy means
Spine
Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is known as what?
Spondylosis
What causes cervical spondylosis?
The aging process. 60% of those over 45 show S/S. 85% of those over 60.
Cervical spondylosis most commonly affects which spinal cord segments?
C5/C6 and C6/C7
T/F If someone shows radiographic changes (spondylosis) it indicates they will likely be symptomatic.
False. Does not necessarily indicate they will be symptomatic.
Clinical presentation is divided into 4 groups. What are they?
Neck pain
Neck pain with proximal referral
Radicular pain
Myelopathy
What pathology is THE MOST serious consequence and the most common cord dysfunction after middle age?
Cervical spondylitic myelopathy
If cervical myelopathy is identified, what should be done?
Emergency condition. Refer!
Mechanical neck pain is termed what?
Cervical Facet Syndrome
Two things that can lead to the narrowing of the spinal canals (stenosis):
Osteophytes
Disc degeneration
4 S/S of cervical spinal stenosis:
Unilateral or bilateral
Weakness, heaviness in limbs
Aching
Several dermatomes affected
What are the two most common causes of cervical radiculopathy?
Facet joint spondylosis/stenosis
Disc pathology (e.g. herniation)
Identify the 4 stages of disc pathology:
Degenerative changes (protrusion/bulge)
Prolapse
Extrusion (herniation)
Sequestration
The 5 D’s and 3 N’s are symptoms of what?
VBI (vertebral artery insufficiency)
T/F 75-90% of cervical radiculopathy cases will improve with non-operative management.
True
Management of a cervical disc herniation (4):
Manage symptoms
Joint mobilization (CPA/UPA)
Traction
Surgical (laminectomy, discectomy)
ACDF stands for what?
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
How long until a patient can resume full, unrestricted activity after an ACDF?
3-6 months
Cervical disc replacement is an alternative to what procedures?
Laminectomy and fusion
When is a cervical disc replacement indicated?
disc herniation
Red flag, yellow flag, or black for cervical spine?
Recent trauma, severe movement loss, paresthesia, constant pain, irritability.
Yellow flags
Referral pattern for the SCM
Back and top of head
front of ear over forehead to medial aspect of eye
cheek
Referral pattern for the splenius capitis
Top of head
Referral pattern for splenius cervicis
posterior neck and shoulder angle
side of head to eye
Referral pattern for semispinalis cervicis
back of head
Referral pattern for semispinalis capitis
Band around head at level of forehead
Referral pattern for multifidus
Occiput to posterior neck and shoulder angle to base of spine of scap
Referral pattern for suboccipital
Lateral aspect of head to eye
Referral pattern for scalenes
Medial border of scap and anterior chest down posterolateral aspect of arm to anterolateral and posterolateral aspect of hand.
Describe upper crossed syndrome
Tight trapezius and pectoralis
Weak deep neck flexors and rhomboids, serratus anterior, and lower trapezius
Combined motion testing may be assessed if _________ end-feel is normal and pain free.
Single-plane
In clinical practice, PPIVM is combined with what?
PROM assessment
Canadian C-spine step 1: High risk factor mandating radiography
- age over 65 years
- dangerous MOI
- Paresthesia in extremities
Identify the ICD10 based on the following description:
Younger age (<50 years)
Acute neck pain (<12 weeks)
Restricted cervical ROM
Segmental hypomobility of the cervical and thoracic spine
Symptoms isolated to neck
Cervicalgia
Identify the ICD10 based on the following description:
Neck pain with radiating pain in involved upper extremity
Upper extremity paresthesias, numbness, and weakness
May have imaging findings of spondylosis
Spondylosis with radiculopathy
PT is most effective for what type of HA?
Cervicogenic
Identify the ICD10 based on the following description:
Longstanding neck pain (>12 weeks)
Abnormal/standard performance on cranial cerv. flexion test and deep flexor endurance test
Coordination, strength and endurance deficits of neck/upper quarter muscles.
Flexibility deficits of upper quarter
Ergonomic insufficiencies
Sprain and strain of cervical spine
What percentage of WAD patents have symptoms lasting over 2 years
36%
What causes a facet dislocation?
Flexion-rotation or hyperflexion
Facet dislocation appears clinically as what other pathology?
Torticollis
Management of a unilateral facet dislocation includes (2):
Closed reduction under anesthesia
ORIF with fusion
(Varies)
When the whole vertebra slides forward over half its width, this is called what?
Bilateral facet dislocation
When the vertebral body is displaced less than half its width, this is called what?
Unilateral facet dislocation
Management of a bilateral facet dislocation includes (2):
Cranial traction until stable for surgery
ORIF with fusion (halo)
Secondary torticollis occurs most often in what patient population?
Adults
What is the most common cause of secondary torticollis?
Cervical muscle spasm
Management of secondary torticollis (4):
Identify cause and treat as appropriate:
Stretching
Joint mob
Postural education
Surgical intervention
What type of torticollis may have a psychologic component?
Spasmodic torticollis
What does a laminectomy accomplish?
Increases axial space available for spinal cord
Which condition often is treated with a laminectomy?
Spinal stenosis
What condition is often treated with a laminaplasty?
Multilevel spondylotic myelopathy
What is done during a laminaplasty?
The spinous process is removed, wedges placed to stop vertebrae from closing.
Identify an alternative to laminectomy and fusion when treating disc herniation
Cervical disc replacement
When is a cervical disc replacement indicated?
Disc herniation
What are the advantages of a cervical disc replacement compared to laminectomy and fusion?
Maintains normal neck movement better
Reduces degeneration of adjacent segments
Allows earlier post op movement
What are 6 classic examination findings for cervical myelopathy?
- Cervical ROM loss
- Hyperreflexia in UE and LE
- Myelopathic hand (atrophy of intrinsics)
- Unsteady gait
- Positive Rhomberg and Hoffman’s
A disorder of the cervical region that disrupts or interrupts normal neural transmission is called _______.
cervical myelopathy
Cervical myelopathy gender and age demographic
Men over women
Age over 50 yrs old
Myelopathy CPR (5):
- Gait deviation
- Positive Hoffman’s
- Inverted Supinator Sign
- Positive Babinski
- Over 45 yrs old
In mild cervical myelopathy how does non-operative treatment compare to surgery?
Equal to or better
In moderate to severe cervical myelopathy, how does non-operative treatment compare to surgery?
Surgery associated with higher rates of neurological improvement
Identify conditions that mimic cervical disc lesions (4):
Pancoast tumor
Neurofibroma
Osteophytes in intervertebral foramen
Neuralgic amyotrophy
A pancoast tumor invades what structure?
The brachial plexus
S/S of a pancoast tumor (3):
T1 weakness
Horner’s syndrome
Severe pain
A pulmonary sulcus tumor growing outward into ribs and vertebrae is termed what?
Pancoast tumor
A benign tumor of peripheral nerves is termed what?
Neurofibroma
S/S of neurofibroma (3):
Paresthesia
N/T
Muscle weakness
What do osteophytes in intervertebral foramen cause?
Nerve root compression
S/S of osteophytes in the intervertebral foramen
Sensory and motor changes along affected nerve root
Management of osteophytes in the intervertebral foramen
Require surgical incision
PT ineffective long term
A viral infection of the brachial plexus is termed what?
Neuralgic amyotrophy
S/S of neuralgic amyotrophy (2):
Shoulder and upper arm pain
Atrophy of shoulder girdle
Neuralgic amyotrophy is a _________ infectious process.
Self-limiting
Proposed CPR for cervical spine traction (5):
- peripheralization
- Positive abduction sign (shoulder)
- over 55yrs
- (+) ULTT1
- relief with manual cervical traction
Commonly used CPR for Cervical manipulation (HVLAT) in patients with mechanical neck pain (4):
- symptom duration under 38 days (acute)
- (+) expectation that manipulation will help
- Side-to-side difference in cervical rotation ROM of 10 degrees or greater
- Pain with PA mobs/spring testing of the middle cervical spine
CPR for cervicothoracic manipulation in patients with mechanical neck pain (6):
- S/Sx <30 days
- no S/Sx distal to shoulder
- No aggravation of pain with looking up
- FABQ physical activity subscale <12
- Decreased upper t-spine kyphosis
- Cervical extension ROM <30 degrees
CPR for cervicothoracic manipulation for patients with shoulder pain (5):
- pain-free shoulder flexion < 127 degrees
- Shoulder internal rotation <53 degrees at 90 degrees abduction
- (-) Neer test
- Not taking medications for their shoulder pain
- Symptoms < 90 days
How to test for CAD (3):
- clinician performs end-range cervical rotation
- Position is held for at least 10 seconds - observe S/Sx. Head returned to neutral for at least 10 seconds. Repeat opposite side.
- If minor dizziness is present, vestibular testing may be performed.