Lab: Cervical Spine

Question 1

Range of Motion:

Answer 1

cervical flexion= 50
cervical extension= 60
right lateral flexion= 45
left lateral flexion= 45
right rotation= 80
left rotation= 80

Question 2

Foraminal Compression Test:

Answer 2

1-pos.= exacerbation of localized cervical pain
1-ind.= foraminal encroachment or facet pathology without nerve root compression 
2-pos.= exacerbation of cervical pain with a radicular component
2-ind.= formaminal encroachment or facet pathology with nerve root compression

Question 3

Cervical Distraction Test:

Answer 3

1-pos.= diminished or absence of local cervical pain
1-ind.= foraminal encroachment
2-pos.= diminished or absence of radicular pain
2-ind.= nerve root compression
3-pos.= increase of cervical pain
3-ind.= muscular strain, ligamentous sprain, myospasm, facet capsulitis

Question 4

Spinal Percussion Test:

Answer 4

1-pos.= local pain
1-ind.= possible fractured vertebrae, ligamentous involvement (spinous pain), and muscular involvement (muscular pain)
2-pos.= radiating pain
2-ind.= possible disc pathology

Question 5

Shoulder Depression Test:

Answer 5

1-pos.= localized cervical pain on the side being tested
1-ind.= dural sleeve adhesion, and muscular adhesion/contracture, or spasm, or ligamentous injury
2-pos.= radiating pain on the side being tested
2-ind.= neurovascular bundle compression, dural sleeve adhesions or thoracic outlet syndrome
3-pos.= radicular pain on the opposite side being tested
3-ind.= foraminal encroachment with nerve root compression

Question 6

Valsalva Maneuver:

Answer 6

pos. = radiating pain from site of lesion, usually recreating the complaint in cervical or lumbar area of the spine
ind. = space occupying lesion (e.g. disc pathology)

Question 7

Swallowing Test:

Answer 7

pos. = Difficulty in swallowing
ind. = space-occupying lesion at anterior portion of the cervical spine. possible esophageal or pharyngeal injury, anterior disc defect, muscle spasm or osteophytes etc.

Question 8

Soto-Hall Sign:

Answer 8

pos. = generalized pain in the cervical region, which may extend down to the level of T2
ind. = non-specific test for structural integrity of the cervical region

Question 9

Kernig Sing:

Answer 9

pos. = inability to fully extend the leg and/or pain (usually in the neck region)
ind. = meningeal irritation/meningitis

Question 10

O’Donoghue Maneuver:

Answer 10

1-pos.= pain during passive range of motion
1-ind.= ligamentous sprain (passive range of motion stresses ligaments)
2-pos.= pain during resisted range of motion
2-ind.= muscle/tendon strain (active range of motion stresses muscles and tendons)

Question 11

Bony Palpation:

Answer 11

(anterior)
hyoid bone
thyroid cartilage
first cricoid ring
mandible

(posterior)
occiput
superior nuchal line
inion
mastoid processes
spinous processes of cervical vertebrae 
facet joints

Question 12

Soft Tissue Palpation:

Answer 12

sternocleidomastoid
anterior cervical lymph node chain
posterior cervical lymph node chain
supraclavicular fossa
carotid pulse
thyroid gland

greater occipital nerves
superior nuchal ligament
trapezius