Chapter 11 - Neurodynamic Mobility/Mobilizations Flashcards
Neurodynamics
Study of the mehcanics and physiology of the nervous system
Three mechanisms of nerve adaptability
1) elongation of the nerve against elastic forces up to 2 cm
2) longitudinal movement of the nerve trunk in the longitudinal direction
3) increase/decrease of tissue relaxation at level of nerve trunk
Tension Sites
Areas where dura is tethered to the bony canal providing stability to the spinal cord, at C6, T6, and L4
What can cause injury to the spine and spinal nerves?
Posture, direct trauma, extremes of motion, electrical injury and compression
What are double crush injuries?
A compromise of axonal transport along the same nerve fiber causing a lesion at the distal site to become symptomatic (must be anatomic continuity of nerve fibers between two sites)
Neurodynamic Mobility Examinations include…
Upper Limb Tension Test
Straight Leg Raise
Prone Knee Flexion Test
Slump Test
Positive symptoms for the presence of neuropathic dysfunction include…
Pain
Paresthesia
Spasm
(must reproduce patient’s symptoms AND decrease those symptoms with movement of distal body part)
What can the slump test indicate?
Spinal stenosis, extraforaminal lateral disk herniation, disk sequestration, nerve root adhesions, vertebral impingement
How does the slump test work?
Elongates the vertebral canal, stretching the spinal dura. Tension is transmitted to spinal cord, lumbosacral nerve roots. When cervical flexion is added, dura slackens as the vertebral canal shortens
Sequence for Slump Test
- Pt in sitting with hands behind back
- C spine flexed
- slump of thoracic, lumbar and posterior tilt of pelvis
- knee extension
- ankle dorsiflexion
- gentle cervicothoracic overpressure
What indicates a positive slump test?
If the patient’s symptoms are reproduced and once put into cervical extension, the symptoms subside
What are the LE tension tests?
SLR, crossed SLR, bilateral SLR, bowstring test, sciatic nerve test, prone knee bending test
How do you perform a SLR?
- pt is supine (no pillow)
- trunk/hips should be neutral
- passively raise leg with slight IR and ADD of hip, knee extended
- hold at heel, and stabilize ASIS with other hand
- raise until complains of pain
- note ROM and lower leg slightly until symptoms resolve
Pain in 0-30 degrees of SLR may indicate…
Acute spondylolisthesis tumor of the buttock gluteal abscess large HNP or extrusion acute inflammation of dura malingering patient the sign of the buttock
Pain in 30-70 degrees of SLR may indicate…
Spinal nerves, dura sleeves and their roots are stretched 2-6 mm