Neck pain Flashcards
common patient presentations
acute injury and/or arm pain
acute, pseudo-torticollis
postural pain or stiffness due to poor ergonomics
decreased ROM associated with stiffness or pain
headaches
C2-3 problems normally refer to?
the head
C3-4 problems normally refer to?
lateral neck from head to base
C4-5 problems normally refer to?
whole side of neck from head to base and into shoulder
C5-6 problems usually refer to?
lower lateral neck and into shoulder
C6-7 problems usually refer to?
shoulder to upper mid back
neck pain and arm pain is most likely from?
a facet joint
does neck pain and arm pain have neurological deficits?
no, even though there might be complaints of numbness or tingling
what red flags should you look out for?
trauma history of cancer corticosteroid use history of infection head trauma with loss of consciousness nuchal rigidity bladder dysfunction associated with onset of neck pain associated dysphagia associated CN or CNS signs/symptoms onset of new headache pre-existing conditions
what other things should you look for in the history?
nuchal rigidity/ positive brudzinski’s or kernig
suspected fracture, dislocation, infection, cancer
perform examinations
what tests should you do if there is only neck pain
inspection observation of patient's movements static palpation motion palpation P and AROM functional assessment and orthopedic screening
what tests should you do if there is neck and arm pain?
orthopedic/neurological exam, compressive and neural stretch testing, nerve stretch maneuvers, DTR testing, sensory examination and myotome testing
when should you xray someone with neck pain?
if you suspect fracture, dislocation, infection or cancer
or if they have radicular findings
when should you perform MRI for neck pain?
ddx of radicular or myelopathy cases to further evaluate stenosis, tumor, herniated disc or multiple sclerosis
when should electrodiagnostic studies be done?
when radicular complaints remain unclear
pain that radiates into the arm indicates?
disc lesion, nerve root entrapment, referred pain, myelopathy, brachial plexus involvement
isolated weakness or numbness suggests?
nerve root involvement
numbness and tingling in a diffuse or ill-defined pattern suggest?
referred pain from facet or trigger points
what is a red flag for infeciton, tumor or vascular etiologies?
neck pain with a “new” headache or the worst headache they have ever experienced
lateral flexion neck injuries
compression injury on side of movement and stretching injury on the opposite side
forced flexion neck injuries
compression fracture, myelopathy from stenotic canal considered with arm and leg complaints
what is the primary intention of orthopedic testing?
to compress or stretch pain producing structures such as facets and NRs
standard orthopedic tests
various forms of cervical compression cervical distraction shoulder depression brachial plexus stretch testing soto hall lhermitte's
cervical compression test
local pain on extension and/or rotation indcates facet involvement, while radiating pain down the arm indcates nerve root involvement
cervical distraction test
an attempt to reduce local or radiating complaints if painful, muscle splinting is suggested
lhermitte’s
passive flexion of neck that causes electric shock sensations, seen with MS or cervical myelopathy
upper limb tension test
also known as brachail plexus test
good screening test to rule out cervical radiculopathy
pain on contralateral cervical side bending
decrease in symptoms with ipsilateral dise bending
what is the classic presentation of cervical radiculopathy
patient comlains of neck and arm pain
onset follows a neck injury, may be insidious