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PTRS 845 > Lower C-Spine > Flashcards

Lower C-Spine Flashcards

(70 cards)

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1
Q

What percentage of the population report neck pain?

A

20-30%

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2
Q

What are groups are more likely to get neck pain?

A

increases with age, most common in 5th decade of life

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3
Q

In order of importance what are the functions of the C-spine?

A

Mobility
Load bearing
Stability
(opposite of lumbar spine)

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4
Q

What is the muscle dysfunction associated with neck pain?

A

Less force production of neck muscles in people with neck pain.
Alteration in postural muscles
Reduced endurance of neck flexors (can use pressure cuff to examine)

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5
Q

How are postural muscles altered in neck pain?

A

Increased tone in: levator scap, lower trap, neck extensors

Decreased tone in: serratus ant, upper and middle traps

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6
Q

What is endurance test for neck flexors?

A

Place pressure cuff under neck. Inflate to 20 mmHg. Ask pt to tuck chin. Pressure should increase 10 mmHg. 10x10= 100% performance

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7
Q

How is the first rib implicated in the C spine?

A

serves as attachment site for neck muscles

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8
Q

What is MOI of first rib?

A

MVA, posture, poor breathing pattern (mouth breathers)

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9
Q

What are the joints of the CS?

A

IVJ
Z-jt: 45 degrees from horizontal, motion coupled in same direction
U-jt: post-lat part of column, superior is concave, inferior is convex, in C3-T1 vertebrae

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10
Q

What are the U joints

A

Saddle shaped, diarthrodial joints
Extend from C3-T1
Formed between the uncinated processes
Develop within first 12 years of life and fully developed by age of 30

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11
Q

What is function of U joints?

A

Prevent posterior lateral disc herniation
Helps with rotation
Weak evidence: having this joint takes stress off vertebral artery
Help with gliding motion of flex-ext segmental motion

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12
Q

What are pain generating structures in the C spine?

A

Disc, dura, NR, nerves, facet joints, U joints, muscles, ligaments

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13
Q

What is Cyriax’s examination concept called

A

Selective tissue tension technique

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14
Q

What is STTT for disc?

A

compression

flexion/extension: flexion if limited/painful because it’s stretching posterior structures and loading the disc

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15
Q

What is STTT for dura, NR, nerves?

A

Dura: slump test, passive neck flexion
NR: segmental neuro exam, side bent, unilateral PA, nerve glides, combined motion to close foramen
Nerve: neurodynamics, compression, nerve tapping, nerve palpation, segmental neuro

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16
Q

What is STTT for facet joints and U joints?

A

facet: unilateral PA, passive physiological motion, combined motion, flex/ext/rotation
U joints: passive segmental sidebend of neck

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17
Q

What is STTT of muscles and ligaments?

A

Muscles: MMT, palpation, length test
Ligaments: passive movement then overpressure

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18
Q

What is subjective like for CS patients?

A

Body chart: HA, neck, shoulder, upper back, radiating into UEs
Aggravating/easing factors
MOI: whiplash, pathological or mechanical

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19
Q

What are neck pain origins?

A

Whiplash/MVA, collisions, spondylosis, infection, tumor or disease processes, poor sleeping posture, excessive computer use, improper mechanics of c-spine, scapular mechanics, shoulder mechanics and/or poor posture

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20
Q

What must you screen for and rule out with CS?

A

Screen first!
Look for central and peripheral neurological deficits
Neurovascular compromise
Serious skeletal injury: fractures, instability
Rule out fractures and cervical myelopathy

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21
Q

What are the 3 big screening items for CS?

A

Vertebral artery, fracture, myelopathy

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22
Q

What are parts of the objective exam?

A

Observation/posture, AROM (OP), PROM, combined motion, repeated; sustained motion, neuro testing/segmental testing, muscle testing/endurance test, movement impairment, palpation, assessment of joint articulations (PPIVM, PAIVM)

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23
Q

What are things to look for with observation/posture of CS?

A

forward head, broad shoulders, torticollis, creases, rounded shoulders, normal lordosis, any depressions of segment

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24
Q

What are combined motion testing of CS?

A

Restriction of cervical extension, side bending, and rotation to same side as the pain is termed a closing restriction.
Restriction of cervical flexion, side bending, and rotation to opposite side of pain is termed an opening restriction.

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25
What are special tests of CS?
Neurodynamics Spurling Test (foramina compression) Axial compression/axial distraction Transverse shear
26
What are intervention strategies for CS?
Postural reeducation, ergonomic HEP, specific strengthening and stretching exercises, scapular muscle exercises, use of collars/head sets, modalities, mobilizations, soft tissue, TS manipulation
27
What is research on T spine manipulation?
patients with mechanical neck pain benefit from thoracic spine manipulation
28
What are the Cloward signs?
Referred pain areas of discs into the scapular region. Deep, dull ache Induced by local pressure Associated with muscle spasms
29
What is referred pain for posterior and posterior lateral portion of discs?
Posterior: deep diffuse pain in back and spread out to both scapulas Posterior-Lateral: scapula and down arm
30
What is referred pain for anterior and anterior lateral portion of disc?
Anterior: pain right on the spinous process | Anterior-Lateral: pain by vertebral border of scapula
31
What happens with ventral roots getting stimulated?
Causes trigger points/muscle spasms around scapula
32
What are differences between anterior/anterolateral and posterior/posterolateral disc stimulation?
Anterior is more focal pain in middle of back and scapular border. Posterior is more spread out over the scapula and into the upper arm
33
What happens when ventral versus dorsal roots are irritated?
Dorsal root= all sensory. Will have pain down arm | Ventral root: associated muscle spasms
34
What are the two types of herniations in the CS?
Soft disc: migration of nucleus | Hard disc: bulging of annulus
35
Who gets herniations and what are most common areas?
Less common than lumbar disc herniation Up to 30 years of age Common levels: C6-7 (60%) and C5-6 (30%)
36
What is a possible result of herniation?
Depending on nerve structures involved it can result in localized pain, referred pain, radiculopathy, or myelopathy
37
What is pain pattern for soft discs?
Ache/stiffness Cloward signs May or may not have distal symptoms
38
What is pain pattern for UCS soft disc herniation?
base of neck, head, and face
39
What is pain pattern for C4-5 soft disc herniation?
base of neck and top of shoulder
40
What is pain pattern for C5-6, C6-7 soft disc herniation?
scapula, across the shoulder joint and post/lat aspect of upper arm
41
What his behavior of symptoms for soft cervical herniation?
Aggravating: looking down, turning head ADLs may be limited Speed of movement may be altered Driving, sitting, work
42
What is history of soft disc herniation?
Not associated with incident May be related to sustained posture Slow onset or wake with pain May have history of MVA
43
What are objective signs for soft disc herniation?
Posture: document deformity ROM: limited flexion/extension Painful ipsilateral ROM: side bend, rotation Painful central PAs more than unilaterals Positive spurling (rotation, SB, compression)
44
What is intervention for soft disc herniation?
traction, posture, modalities, ergonomics, body mechanics, McKenzie repeated motion
45
What is spondylosis?
Degenerative changes in the spine
46
What are time frames for degenerative changes in CS?
Discs: 30-55 years of age (degenerates before facets) Facet joints: >55 years of age U joints: >55 years of age
47
What is pattern of disc degeneration?
Natural phenomenon, common levels C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7 Lateral clefts at side of U-joints Disapperance of NP by age of 40-45 Loss of disc height Loss of normal lordosis Results in intersegmental hypermobility and instability/subluxation
48
Why is there CS disc degeneration?
Happens because of large neck motions (motion > stability in CS)
49
Someone comes into your clinic with long history of neck pain, diffuse symptoms, and pain with sustained flexion and quick movements? what might be the problem?
CS disc degeneration
50
What are subjective signs of CS disc degeneration?
Cloward sign Diffuse symptoms, unilateral or bilateral Presence of radiculopathy Agg: is sustained flexion, quick movements, end of range movements Long history of neck pain May have history of MVA
51
What are objective findings of CS disc degeneration?
Posture ROM may be limited with pain Palpation: central and unilateral Segmental exam: sensory loss, motor loss, hyporeflexia Upper limb neural tension Diagnostic: X-ray show degenerative changes
52
What is intervention for CS disc degeneration?
Joint mobilization of UCS, CT junction, TS Traction Posture education Ergonomics Exercise: scapular stabilization, thoracic extension, thoracic mobility
53
What is cause of acute cervical facet syndrome?
Caused by sudden neck movement Result of synovial capsule impingement within a facet Localized pain with or w/o muscle spams Acute torticollis
54
What is cause of chronic cervical facet syndrome?
chronic inflammation due to arthritis/injury | fibrotic changes in joint capsule
55
What are objective findings for cervical facet syndrome?
``` Limited ROM w/wo muscle guarding Side flexion is limited to both sides PPIVM: segmental motion limited PAIVM: limited, painful Lack of neurological signs Palpable point tenderness and muscle spasm ```
56
What is intervention for cervical facet syndrome?
Manual therapy: unilateral PA, contract relax, joint specific traction HEP Posture
57
Who gets acute cervical NR?
Usually occurs in older patients that have degenerative changes May occur in younger individuals: trauma induced
58
What are subjective findings for acute NR?
Pain worse distally in dermatomal pattern Possible Clowards Can be constant and/or latent
59
A patient comes in and has constant numbness in thumb, deep sharp shooting pain in arm, deep intermittent ache in back, and constant stiffness in neck, and pain worse distally what might they have?
Acute nerve root
60
What is objective findings for ANR?
Posture: looks uncomfortable Attempt to correct deformity increases symptoms ROM: only able to test 1-2 motions Palpation: may not be able to do this Neuro: positive X-ray: degenerative changes; nerve root encroachment
61
What is intervention of ANR?
Patient education: proper meds and sleeping posture Ice/modalities Manual traction Joint mobilization: only when decreased severity and irritability
62
Who gets chronic nerve root?
middle age and older populations with already established degenerative changes Long history of neck pain, post-surgical
63
What is subjective components of chronic nerve root?
Dermatomal pattern: not necessarily distal Patchy distribution Usually intermittent Agg: sustained flexion, movements that narrow foramen Can be nagging, able to sleep at night
64
What are objective findings for chronic nerve root?
``` Postural changes +/- neuro signs ROM: limited in closing movements possible GH limitations Central PA + spurlings test + neurodynamic findings X-ray: possible degenerative changes of facets, or foraminal encroachment ```
65
Someone comes into the clinic and has intermittent pain that is patchily distributed and painful with sustained flexion, what might they have?
Chronic nerve root
66
What is intervention for chronic NR?
``` joint mobilizations traction neurodynamic treatment ergonomic modification of activities joint protection ```
67
Who gets stenosis?
Central (55 years of age | High contact sports injuries
68
What is common cause of stenosis?
mechanical compression and degenerative instabilities; a congenital condition
69
What are objective findings of stenosis?
``` Neck pain may be absent initially Neck and arm pain Painful and restricted ROM Presence of sensory and motor deficits Wasting of intrinsic muscles of hands resulting in loss of hand dexterity associated with cervical myelopathy Segmental neuro and central neuro exam Diagnostic must be used to determine extent of problem ```
70
What is intervention for stenosis?
Patient education: modify activity, sports participation discouraged Exercise: posture, isometric strengthening, mobility exercises while avoiding end range motion Manual: specific level traction, unilateral PA Cervical collar Surgery: if chronic

PTRS 845 (9 decks)

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