Cervical Spine Examination Lab Flashcards
What 3 parts of the orthopedic examination come before screening procedures?
- Patient Interview
- Visual Inspection
- Systems Review
What are the 2 things done with a patient interview?
- Special Questions
- Outcome Measures
What is an example of an outcome measure that is done during the patient interview?
PSFS (Patient Specific Functional Scale)
What are we looking for with a visual inspection?
- Alertness, Affect, Indicators of distress
- Gross abnormalities
- Integumentary
- Posture Assessment (symmetry, bony/soft contours, resting posture vs ability to correct)
What are the 5 parts of a systems review?
- Integumentary
- Cardiopulmonary
- Musculoskeletal
- Neuromuscular
- Cognition/Affect
What is the purpose of the Upper Quarter Screen?
Determine which anatomic region of the upper quarter is contributing to the patient’s symptoms and to rule out gross sensory or motor neurologic deficits.
With the Upper Quarter Screen we are assessing ____________ and ___________ of both the C-Spine and UE.
- AROM with overpressure if AROM is painless
- resistance testing
What c-spine motions are we assessing during the Upper Quarter Screen?
- flexion
- extension
- lateral flexion
- rotation
What UE motions are we assessing during our Upper Quarter Screen?
- shoulder flexion
- shoulder abduction
- shoulder flex/abd/ER (via reach behind head)
- shoulder ext/add/IR (via reach behind back)
- elbow flex/ext
- wrist flex/ext
- grip
Neurological Screening (Myotome Testing):
- C1=
- C2=
- C3=
- C4=
- C5=
- C6=
- C7=
- C8=
- T1=
- C1= Capital Flexion
- C2= Capital Extension
- C3= Neck Lateral Flexion
- C4= Shoulder Elevation
- C5= Shoulder Abduction
- C6= Elbow Flexion/ Wrist Extension
- C7=Elbow Extension/ Wrist Flexion
- C8= Thumb Abduction
- T1=Finger Adduction
Neurological Screening (Dermatome Testing):
- C2=
- C3=
- C4=
- C5=
- C6=
- C7=
- C8=
- T1=
- C2= occipital area
- C3= above collarbone
- C4= AC joint
- C5= lateral upper arm
- C6= lateral thumb
- C7= posterior 3rd digit
- C8= medial 5th digit
- T1= medial forearm
List 4 Pathological Reflexes and what a positive test looks like in each.
- Hoffman’s Sign- finger flexion and thumb adduction/opposition
- Inverted Supinator Sign- finger flexion or elbow extension
- Babinski’s Sign- toe extension/abduction
- Ankle Clonus- >3 beats of clonus
SPECIAL TESTS
SPECIAL TESTS
Describe the procedure for the End-Range Rotation Test.
- ) During patient interview, identify symptoms consistent with CAD.
- ) Position patient at end-range of rotation for 10s.
- ) Return to neutral position for 10s.
- ) Repeat rotation and hold for 10s in other direction.
What is a positive End-Range Rotation Test indicative of?
CAD (Cervical Arterial Dysfunction)
What are the signs/symptoms of CAD?
5 Ds and 3 Ns
D= diplopia, dizziness, dysarthria/dysphasia, drop attacks
N= nausea, nystagmus, numbness
Describe the procedure for the Modified Sharp Purser Test.
- ) Assess for resting symptoms
- ) Patient slightly flexes neck
- ) Posterior C2 stabilized by examiner
- ) With other hand, examiner places posterior force on cranium through patient’s forehead
What is a positive Modified Sharp Purser Test?
- Provocation of myelopathic symptoms with initial flexion.
- Relief of symptoms OR excessive translation with force through forehead.
What is a positive Modified Sharp Purser Test indicative of?
Transverse ligament instability
Describe the procedure for the Tectoral Membrane Test.
- ) Stand at patient’s side
- ) Caudal hand supporting c-spine spinous processes from C2 down, cranial hand reaching caudally such that 1st and 2nd digit support inferior occiput.
- ) Apply a traction and posterior force with the cranial hand. “Pull head apart”
What is a positive Tectoral Membrane Test?
Reproduction of myelopathic symptoms, excessive translation of C0 on C1/ C1 on C2
What is a positive Tectoral Membrane Test indicative of?
Tectoral membrane instability (upper c-spine integrity)
Describe the procedure for the Posterior A-O Membrane Test.
- ) Stand at patient’s side
- ) Caudal hand reaching cranially with pincer grasp on lateral aspects of C1, cranial hand reaching caudally such that 1st and 2nd digit support inferior occiput.
- ) Apply a traction and posterior force with the cranial hand. “Pull head apart”
What is a positive A-O Membrane Test?
Reproduction of myelopathic symptoms, excessive translation
What is a positive A-O Membrane Test indicative of?
Atlantooccipital membrane instability
Describe the procedure for the Alar Ligament Stability Test.
- ) Caudal hand with pincer grasp on spinous process of C2, cranial hand supporting cranium
- ) Cranium passively laterally flexed and rotated bilaterally
What is a positive Alar Ligament Stability Test?
- movement not palpated at C2 (palpation) OR absence of a distinct stop when C2 is stabilized (stabilized)
- reproduction of myelopathic symptoms
Alar Ligament Stability Test can be done in what 2 ways?
- palpation
- stabilization