Evaluation of the Patient with Neck Pain - Part III

Question 1

What test is this?

What does decreased pain indicate? Increased pain?

Answer 1

Distraction Test

Decreased pain - neuroforaminal compromise, facet joint

Increased pain - Myoligamentous

Question 2

What test is this?

What does decreased pain indicate? Increased pain?

Answer 2

Compression Test

Increased pain - disc herniation, neuroformainal compromise, facet joint disease

Decreased pain - test does not decrease pain

Question 3

Which test looks at cervical extension and rotation by reproducing pain of neuroforaminal compromise and pain of facet joint origin?

Answer 3

Spurling Test

Question 4

What test is this?

If a positive test leads to an increase in symptoms of any space occupying lesion in the spinal canal, then what conditions might the patient have?

Answer 4

Valsalva Test

Disc herniation

Hematomoa

Tumor

Abscess

Question 5

What test is this?

What could an increase in pain indicate?

Answer 5

Swallowing Test

Bony protuberances

Bony osteophytes

Hematoma

Abscess

Tumor

Question 6

Which test is this?

What does a positive result indicate?

Answer 6

Adson Test

Indicates neurovascular compression:

Between anterior & middle scalene muscles

Over first or cervical rib

Between clavicle and first rib

Behind pectoralis minor tendon

Question 7

Name this test and describe how you would perform it.

Answer 7

Step 1:

Patient is in anatomic position. Physician restrains patient’s shoulder and palpates radial pulse.

Step 2:

Physician hyperabducts and extends patient’s shoulder, then has patient turn head toward side of symptoms and bend chin to chest.

Tests for neurovascular compression.