L5: Physical examination of the cervical and thoracic spines and upper quadrant Flashcards
What are 7 aims of the physical examination?
- To confirm/reformulate diagnostic hypothesis(es)
- To confirm MSproblem
- To understand the mechanisms of pain and physical impairments linked to pain syndrome
Make the pattern fit between symptoms and physical signs
- To detect the physical impairments related to provocative functional activities, work practices
- To gain precise information to inform the treatment program
- To document outcome measures
- To establish the overall goals of treatment
Key aspect of patient centred care= shared decision making
What are 6 features of the physical examination?
- Postural assessment(static and dynamic)+ provocative postures
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Articular System
- Active movements –including patient specific provocative movements
- Manual examination (PAIVM’s; PPIVM’s)
- Tests of adjacent joints/regions
-
Neural System
- Neurological examination
- Tests of neural tissue dynamics / mechanosensitivity/ CI for CCFT
-
Tests of muscle function
- Tests of cervical and axio-scapular motor/muscle control
- Tests of muscle length
- Tests of muscle strength and endurance
-
Somatosensory function
- Tests of kinaesthesia, balance, eye movementcontrol
- Proprioception
- Function/work specific tasks aggravating the pain disorder
What are 3 features of the articular system in the physical examination?
- Active movements –including patient specific provocative movements
- Manual examination (PAIVM’s; PPIVM’s)
- Tests of adjacent joints/regions
What are 2 features of the neural system in the physical examination?
- Neurological examination
- Tests of neural tissue dynamics / mechanosensitivity/ CI for CCFT
What are 3 features of the test of muscle function in the physical examination?
- Tests of cervical and axio-scapular motor/muscle control
- Tests of muscle length
- Tests of muscle strength and endurance
What is a feature of the function/work specific tasks aggravating the pain disorder in the physical examination?
Function/work specific tasks aggravating the pain disorder
What are 4 considerations in physical examination?
- The inter-related function of the articular, muscle and neural systems and the CNS control
- The effect of painon performance
- The relationship between pain, functional limitations and posture, movement and muscle function
- The motivation and reactions of the patient
What are 3 considerations to plan the order of the tests in the physical examination?
- Consideration of patient comfort (st-sitting-lying)
- Allows the assessment of the interaction between systems (articular, muscle, neural)
- Promotes an analysis of the functional limitations expressed by the patient
What is the proposed order of testing in the physical examination?
What are the 3 systems is the dominant driver in the patient?
Demonstrate a postural analysis of a 45 year legal secretary who complains of pain after working at the computer for 4 hours.
- What components would you include?
- How would you interpret your findings?
Postural analysis
- TDT (mimic posture and the effect of correction)
- If she gets better = (gives direction of treatment), muscles system is the problem
What are the 2 principles of postural analysis?
- Interpretany deviations on a multifactorialbasis
- Observe and classify natural spinal sitting posture
What are 4 features of interpret any deviations on a multifactorial basis as principles of postural analysis?
- Make a global postural classification
- Perform an analysis of muscle form
- Observe for any evidence of protection of neural structures
- Analyse any patient specific provocative postures
What are 3 features of “observe and classify natural spinal sitting posture” as principles of postural analysis?
- Analysisof postural correction to upright neutral posture
- Analysis of scapular position and scapular muscle control
- Effect of postural correction on neck pain and movement
What are 4 body areas for the examination of active movements?
- Cervical and Thoracic spines
- Cervical spine
- Thoracic spine
- Ribs
What are 2 features of cervical and thoracic spines in the examination of active movements?
- Primary planes: F, E, Rot, LF
- Patient specific provocative movements or combinations