Lecture 6 - The Neck and Upper Back Flashcards
What is the theory behind neural tissue provocation tests?
Protective muscle tissue response occurs when muscles supplied by nerves contract to protect the nearby neural tissue from movement
In what progressive order should you provoke the neural tissue and when should you stop?
Shoulder, forearm, wrist, fingers, elbow, contralateral cervical side flexion
You should stop as soon as there is onset muscle resistance. You should not be getting to the stage of pins and needles or pain as this will be overly provoking the neural tissue
When is contralateral side flexion to add another level of sensitisation usually indicated in NTPTs
Chronic, non-irritable or non-sensitised conditions
What can NTPT be used for besides assessment?
Treatment to mobilise affected neural tissue
Very gentle so as not to further irritate or damage the neural tissue
What are three indications that neural tissue predominates?
Contralateral side flexion can cause provocation of symptoms earlier in range of symptom provoking movements
Sensitivity in neural tissue provocation tests
If side glides with a light depression of the shoulder at relevant cervical level alleviates/helps with symptoms
How should you treat neural tissue issues with NTPT?
With an active and ongoing inflammatory condition, gentle oscillations of surrounding anatomical structures and tissues
With a chronic condition, stronger grade oscillation of surrounding anatomical structures and tissues
What are the indications and contra-indications for using NTPT as treatment
Indications - neural tissue dysfunction indicated
Contra-indications -
Progressive neurological pathology
Neurological deficit
Canal stenosis
When treatment exacerbates the symptoms/causes distal symptoms
When other treatment is indicated
What is ULTT1 and what nerve does it test for?
Median nerve
Shoulder girdle depression, shoulder abduction and external rotation, supination, wrist extension, finger extension, elbow extension, cervical side flexion
What is ULTT2a and what nerve does it test for?
Median nerve
Shoulder girdle depression, elbow extension, lateral rotation of whole arm, wrist, finger and thumb extension
What is ULTT2b and what nerve does it test?
Radial nerve
Shoulder girdle depression, elbow extension, medial rotation of whole arm, wrist, thumb and finger flexion
What is ULTT3 and what nerve does it test for?
Ulna nerve
Shoulder depression, abduction and external rotation, pronation, wrist extension, finger extension, elbow flexion
How do you locate C2?
First prominent vertebrae after the occiput
How do you identify C6
Disappears on neck flexion
How do you identify C7?
Prominent round vertebrae at base of neck, doesn’t disappear on neck flexion but the one above it should
What adaptations do the cervical vertebrae have to allow for the nuchal ligament
Bifid spinous processes
What adaptation do the thoracic spinous processes have for the ribs
Costal demi facets so the ribs can articulate
What are C1 and C2 called and what is their articulation called
C1 = Atlas
C2 = Axis
Atlo-axial joint
How do you test the myotomes at each nerve root
C1 and C2 - Resisted neck flexion
C2 - Resisted neck extension
C3 - Resisted neck side flexion
C4 - Resisted Shoulder elevation
C5 - Resisted shoulder abduction (deltoid)
C6 - Resisted elbow flexion (biceps)
C7 - Resisted elbow extension (triceps) and resisted wrist extension
C8 - Resisted finger flexion and thumb extension (extensor pollucis longus and flexor digitorum profundus)
C8 and T1 - Resisted finger abduction and adduction
How do you test reflexes in the upper limb?
Biceps reflex - Tap on biceps tendon
Triceps reflex - Tap on triceps tendon (inserts into olecranon process)
Deltoid reflex - Tap on tendon which attaches into deltoid tuberosity on the middle portion of anterolateral surface of humerus
Upper Trapezius reflex - Tap thoracic spine
Pronator reflex - Tap on tendon which attaches into middle one third of anterolateral aspect of radius
Brachioradialis - Tap on tendon which attaches into lateral aspect of distal radius just below wrist joint line in line with thumb
What are the 5Ds and 3Ns and what are their purpose?
To screen for serious cervical and upper back pathologies, particularly Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (lack of blood flow to posterior areas of brain)
5Ds:
Dizziness
Dysarthria - speech difficulties/differences
Dysplopia - Double vision
Dysphagia - Swallowing difficulties
Drop attacks - Sudden loss of consciousness
3Ns:
Nausea
Nystagmus - uncontrolled eye movements
Numbness/paraesthesia