Musculoskeletal Flashcards
cervical radiculopathy
- compression of the cervical nerve roots
* *most commonly affected C6 & C7
radiculopathy
pathologic process affecting the nerve root.
causes: compressive vs noncompressive
compressive cervical radiculopathy
cervical spondylosis & disc herniation
non compressive radiculopathy:
infectious processes (especially herpes zoster and Lyme disease) nerve root infarction, root avulsion, infiltration by tumor, infiltration by granulomatous tissue, and demyelination
symptoms of cervical radiculopathy
- -> neck pain & radicular pain associated with numbness & paresthesia in the upper extremity in the distribution of involved root.
- reflexes are typically reduced in radiculopathy of the C5 C6 or C7 nerve roots, but there are no standard reflexes that reflect the distribution of the C8 and T1 nerve roots
- -> muscle spasm or fasciculations in the involved myotomes may occur
- -> weakness, lack of coordination, changes in handwriting, grip strength, dropping objects from the hand, pain in radiating into the paraspinal and scapular regions (typical of those with root pressure above C5)
- ->Pts may report they can relieve the pain by placing the hands on top of their head as this decreases tension on the involved nerve root.
C-5
pain : neck shoulder scapula
numbness: lateral arm (indistribution of axillary nerve)
weakness: shoulder abduction, external rotation, elbow flexion, forearm supination
reflex affected: biceps, brachioradialis
C-6
pain: neck, shoulder, scapular, lateral arm, lateral forearm, lateral hand
numbness: lateral forearm, thumb and index finger
weakness: shoulder abduction, external rotation, elbow flexion, forearm supination and pronation
reflex effected: biceps, branchoradials
C-7
pain : neck shoulder, middle finger, hand
numbness: index and middle finger, palm
weakness: elbow & wrist extension (radial) forearm pronation, wrist flexion
reflex affected: triceps
spurling’s maneuver
+ if limb pain or paresthesias are produced (the test should then be stopped)
- production of neck pain alone in response to the Spurling maneuver is nonspecific and constitutes a negative test
- The Spurling test has high specificity for the presence of cervical radiculopathy , but its sensitivity is low to moderate. A positive Spurling test is helpful for supporting the dx of cervical radiculopathy, but negative test does not rule out radicular pathology
**never perform in patients who may have instability of cervical spine, (rheumatoid arthritis, cervical malformation or metastatic disease, since it may cause further injury to the spine. In addition, it should not be perfomed when associated cervical myelopathy is suspected.
Abduction Relief Test
the pt is asked to lift the symptomatic arm above the head, resting the hand on the top of the head.
the test is + if the patient has a decrease or disappearance of the radicular symptoms with this maneuver
neck pain & paresthesias exam
Abduction Relief test
palpate for tenderness muscle spasm lymphadenopathy
Assess sensory (dermatomes) and motor functions, DTRS
neck pain & paresthesia diagnostics
- basis on hx & physical findings
- neuroimaging & electrodiagnostic testing
- MRI
- EMG
- Plain radiographs
indications for neuroimaging & electrodiagnostic testing
- PERSISTENT SYMPTOMS that do not resolve with four to six weeks of conservative therapy
- significant neurologic findings or localizing symptoms are present, including myotomal weakness or myelopathy
indications for MRI
currently the STUDY OF CHOICE in most patients for initial neuroimaging evaluation of the cervical spine
indications of EMG
The diagnosis of radiculopathy is usually CONFIRMED by needle electromyography (EMG) which frequently reveals a myotomal pattern of denervation.
nerve conduction studies alone are not sensitive for radiculopathy.
performing electrodiagnostic testing when symptoms have been present for less than 3 weeks reduces the sensitivity of the test
indication for plain radiographs
rarely diagnostic in the setting on nontraumatic cervical radiography.
treatment for neck pain & paresthesias (neck radiculopathy)
Conservative treatment for pt with cervical radiculopathy who have clear radicular pain and symptoms of paresthesia, numbness, or nonprogressive neurologic deficits
—>Oral analgesics (eg. NSAIDS) avoidance of provocative activities, add short course of oral PREDNISONE if pain is severe
—>once the pain is tolerable, initiate PT with exercise & gradual mobilization.
With confirmed cervical radiculopathy with severe or disabling pain despite a course of conservative therapy, & who do not have a progressively worsening neurologic deficit, recommendation is use of epidural steroid injections rather than surgery
indication for surgery : neck radiculopathy
–> symptoms & signs of cervical radiculopathy
cervical nerve root compression by MRI or CT myelography at the appropriate side & level(s)
Persistence of radicular pain despite nonsurgical therapy for at least 6-12 weeks, or progressive motor weakness that impairs function
cervical strain
muscle injury to the neck
cervical sprain
ligamentous stretching-type injury
whiplash
ligament is torn usually C7
symptoms of cervical strain / sprain
spontaneous onset pain
pain from the base of skull to the cervicothoracic junction, may report pain in the region of the sternocleidomastoid muscles and/or the trapezius muscles.
pain is worsen w/ motion & may be accompanied by paraspinal spasm
occipital headaches may occur in the early phase & may persist longer than pain following strains & sprains of spontaneous onset
may report increase irritability fatigue sleep disturbance and difficulty concentrating.
examination of cervical strain/sprain
tenderness in paraspinous muscles, trapezil, sternocleidomastoid muscles, spinous processes, interspinous ligaments, and/or the medial border of the scapula
limited ROM is common (rotation, lateral bending, and/or flexion & extension)
pain is often noted in extremes of motions
neuro exam is usually normal
diagnostics : cervical strain/sprain
AP lateral & open mouth (odontoid) radiographs are necessary if pt has hx of trauma or if the patient is elder