Cervical Spine Special Tests Flashcards
List the Special tests of the cervical spine/
- Vertebral artery test
- Flexion rotation test
- Foraminal compression (spurling’s test)
- Maximum cervical compression test
- Distraction test
- Shoulder abduction test
- Lhermitte’s sign
- Alar ligament test
- Modified sharp purser test
- TOS tests
- ULTTs
Vertebral artery test assesses the integrity of which vascular system?
vertebrobasilar Vascular system
A therapist should always use the vertebral artery test prior to performing what manual techniques?
Cervical manipulation
What does a positive vertebral artery test entail?
- Decreased blood flow of the intracranial VA of the CONTRALATERAL side
- The following Symptoms may be observed: dizziness, dysphasia, dysarthria, diploid, ataxic gait, numbness, nausea, or nystagmus
Flexion Rotation test is a pro active test for what?
Provocative test for AA dysfunction and.or cerviogenic headache
What is a positive finding for flexion rotation test?
reproduction of headache or 10 degree loss compared to other side
What does spurling’s test (foraminal compression) identify?
- Dysfunction (typically compression) of cervical nerve root
Which direction should the head be bent during the Spurling test?
Side bend toward involved side while applying pressure straight down
What does the maximum cervical compression test identify?
Compression of neural structures at intevertebral foramina and/or facet dysfunction
What is the position of the patient’s head during maximum compression test?
Passively move head into side-bending and rotation toward non-painful side; followed by extension
What does lhermitte’s sing identify?
Identifies dysfunction of spinal old and/r an upper motor neuron lesion
Modified sharp purser test is used to identify what/
Identifies integrity of the transverse ligament/AA stability
