Lower C-Spine Flashcards
What percentage of the population report neck pain?
20-30%
What are groups are more likely to get neck pain?
increases with age, most common in 5th decade of life
In order of importance what are the functions of the C-spine?
Mobility
Load bearing
Stability
(opposite of lumbar spine)
What is the muscle dysfunction associated with neck pain?
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)
How are postural muscles altered in neck pain?
Increased tone in: levator scap, lower trap, neck extensors
Decreased tone in: serratus ant, upper and middle traps
What is endurance test for neck flexors?
Place pressure cuff under neck. Inflate to 20 mmHg. Ask pt to tuck chin. Pressure should increase 10 mmHg. 10x10= 100% performance
How is the first rib implicated in the C spine?
serves as attachment site for neck muscles
What is MOI of first rib?
MVA, posture, poor breathing pattern (mouth breathers)
What are the joints of the CS?
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
What are the U joints
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
What is function of U joints?
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
What are pain generating structures in the C spine?
Disc, dura, NR, nerves, facet joints, U joints, muscles, ligaments
What is Cyriax’s examination concept called
Selective tissue tension technique
What is STTT for disc?
compression
flexion/extension: flexion if limited/painful because it’s stretching posterior structures and loading the disc
What is STTT for dura, NR, nerves?
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
What is STTT for facet joints and U joints?
facet: unilateral PA, passive physiological motion, combined motion, flex/ext/rotation
U joints: passive segmental sidebend of neck
What is STTT of muscles and ligaments?
Muscles: MMT, palpation, length test
Ligaments: passive movement then overpressure
What is subjective like for CS patients?
Body chart: HA, neck, shoulder, upper back, radiating into UEs
Aggravating/easing factors
MOI: whiplash, pathological or mechanical
What are neck pain origins?
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
What must you screen for and rule out with CS?
Screen first!
Look for central and peripheral neurological deficits
Neurovascular compromise
Serious skeletal injury: fractures, instability
Rule out fractures and cervical myelopathy
What are the 3 big screening items for CS?
Vertebral artery, fracture, myelopathy
What are parts of the objective exam?
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)
What are things to look for with observation/posture of CS?
forward head, broad shoulders, torticollis, creases, rounded shoulders, normal lordosis, any depressions of segment
What are combined motion testing of CS?
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.
What are special tests of CS?
Neurodynamics
Spurling Test (foramina compression)
Axial compression/axial distraction
Transverse shear
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
What is research on T spine manipulation?
patients with mechanical neck pain benefit from thoracic spine manipulation
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