Lumbar Assessment Flashcards
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Thoracolumbar
* ROM = ?
* End Feel = ?
* Loose pack = ?
* Close pack = ?
* Capsular pattern = ?
Thoracolumbar Snapshot
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Pelvic Surface Anatomy
- Iliac Crest: Standing, supine or prone; corresponds to L4-L5 interspace.
- Posterior Superior Iliac Spine (PSIS): From iliac crest medially to inderiorly. [Helper Line: S2 locasted between PSIS].
- Ischial Tubersity: Side lying; start gluteal fold until you feel a bony prominence.
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Lumbar Surface Anatomy (Prone)
- Sacral Sulcus: From PSIS, move superiorly and medially.
- Inferior Lateral Angle (ILA): Inferior to PSIS.
- Coccyx: Top of gluteal cleft.
- Sacrotuberous Ligaments: From ILA to ischial tubersoty.
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Lumbar Surface Anatomy (Prone / Processes)
- Spinous Processes: L5: Start at PSIS, move medially and superiorly at a 30-45 degree angle L1-L4: Count superiorly from L5.
- Transverse Processes: Move laterally from spinous process. Most easily felt in the trough between spinalis and longissimus. Note the orientation of transverse processes relative to spinous processes
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Lumbar Surface Anatomy (Prone / T12)
- T12 Spinous Process: Locate L5 spinous process and count superiorly; will be smaller than L1.
- 12 Ribs: Move laterally from T12 spinous process.
- Quadratus Lumborum: In the quadrant (yellow lines) created by the lumbar spinous processes, 12th rib and iliac crests.
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Pelvic Surface Anatomy (Supine)
- Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS): From iliac crests move distally and medially.
- Psoas: From midpoint between ASIS and umbilicus, apply direct pressure toward the spine.
- Iliacus: From ASIS move medially, and apply pressure downward to ilium.
- Pubic Tubercles: Patient places thumbs on abdomen and slides down to pelvis. Examiner places thumbs on top of patient’s thumbs.
- Greater Trochanter: Supine; have patient ER/IR hip to assist in locating.
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Lumbar Surface Anatomy (Prone - Glute)
- Helper line for Piriformis: PSIS to greater trochanter; divide lines into thirds.
- Piriformis: Piriformis will be 1 – 2 cm inferior to middle 1/3 of helper line.
- Helper line for Sciatic Nerve: Ischial tuberosity to greater trochanter.
- Sciatic Nerve: Medial 1/3 to halfway between ischial tuberosity and greater trochanter.
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Lumbar Surface Anatomy (Prone - Erectors)
- Spinalis: Most medial
- Longissimus: Middle
- Iliocostalis: Most lateral
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Thoracolumbar Flexion and Extension: Goniometer
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Thoracolumbar Lateral Flexion: Goniometer
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Thoracolumbar Rotation
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Thoracolumbar Flexion and Extension: Inclinometer
Assessing ROM
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Lumbar Lateral Flexion: Inclinometers
Assessing ROM
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Assessing Strength
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Assessing Strength
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Assessing Strength
Assessment Skills: Lumbar Assessment
Trunk Flexion (0 – 5)
Assessing Strength