Neck Pain CPG Flashcards
Risk Factors for New Onset Neck Pain
2 most common: female and prior hx of neck pain
Also: older age, high job demands, low social/work support, hx of smoking, and hx of low back pain
Factors affecting Prognosis
- High pain intensity >6/10
- High pain catastrophizing >20
- High self reported disability scores (aka NDI) >30%
- High post traumatic stress syndromes >33
- Cold hyperalgesia
Canadian C-Spine Rules
High Risk Factors:
1. Age > 65
2. Dangerous mechanism of injury
3. Paresthesias in upper extremities
Low Risk Factors:
1. Able to sit in emergency department
2. Simple rear end MVC
3. Ambulatory at any time
4. Delayed onset of neck pain
5. No midline cervical spine tenderness
if able to actively rotate head to 45 deg each way, then low risk and does not need x-ray
NEXUS for Imaging
- No posterior midline cervical tenderness
- No intoxication
- Normal level of cognition/alertness
- No focal neurologic deficit
- No painful distracting injuries
Best Imaging for Ruling out C-Spine Fracture
CT aside from if used for patient < 14 years of age due to radiation
Cervical Flexion Rotation Test
Definition: measurement of PROM of C1-C2
Positive IF: < 32 deg or at least 10 deg difference side to side
Neck Pain ICF Treatment Based Classification Categories
- Neck pain w/ mobility deficits
- Neck pain w/ movement coordination impairments
- Neck pain w/ headaches
- Neck pain w/ radiating pain
ICF: Neck pain w/ mobility deficits
Common Symptoms
- Central and/or unilateral neck
pain - Limitation in neck motion that
consistently reproduces
symptoms - Associated (referred) shoulder
girdle or upper extremity pain
may be present
ICF: Neck Pain w/ mobility deficits
Exam Findings
- Limited cervical ROM, pain at end ranges actively and passively
- Restricted cervical and thoracic segmental mobility
- Neck and referred pain
reproduced with provocation of
the involved cervical or upper
thoracic segments or cervical
musculature - Deficits in cervicoscapulothoracic strength and motor control
may be present in individuals
with subacute or chronic neck
pain
ICF: Neck Pain w/ Mobility Deficits
ACUTE interventions
- Thoracic manipulation
- Cervical manipulation/mobilization
- Cervical ROM, stretching, isometric strengthening
- Advice to stay active plus HEP
- Supervised exercise
- General fitness training
ICF: Neck Pain w/ Mobility Deficits
SUBACUTE interventions
- Cervical mobilization/manipulation
- Thoracic manipulation
- Cervicoscapulothoracic endurance exercise
ICF: Neck Pain w/ Mobility Deficits
CHRONIC interventions
- Thoracic manipulation
- Cervical mobilization
- Combined cervicoscapulothoracic exercise plus mobilization
or manipulation - Mixed exercise for cervicoscapulothoracic regions—neuromuscular exercise: coordination,
proprioception, and postural
training; stretching; strengthening; endurance training; aerobic
conditioning; and cognitive
affective elements - Supervised individualized
exercises - “Stay active” lifestyle
approaches - Dry needling, low-level laser,
pulsed or high-power
ultrasound, intermittent
mechanical traction, repetitive
brain stimulation, TENS,
electrical muscle stimulation
ICF: Neck Pain w/ Movement Coordination Impairments (WAD)
Common Symptoms for ddx
- Mechanism of onset linked to
trauma or whiplash - Associated (referred) shoulder
girdle or upper extremity pain - Associated varied nonspecific
concussive signs and symptoms - Dizziness/nausea
- Headache, concentration, or
memory difficulties; confusion;
hypersensitivity to mechanical,
thermal, acoustic, odor, or light
stimuli; heightened affective
distress
ICF: Neck Pain w/ Movement Coordination Impairments (WAD)
Exam Findings for ddx
- Positive cranial cervical flexion
test - Positive neck flexor muscle
endurance test - Positive pressure algometry
- Strength and endurance deficits
of the neck muscles - Neck pain with mid-range
motion that worsens with
end-range positions - Point tenderness may include
myofascial trigger points - Sensorimotor impairment may
include altered muscle
activation patterns, proprioceptive deficit, postural balance or
control - Neck and referred pain
reproduced by provocation of
the involved cervical segments
ICF: Neck Pain w/ Movement Coordination Impairments
Acute if prognosis if for quick and early recovery
- Education: advice to remain
active, act as usual - Home exercise: pain-free
cervical ROM and postural
element - Monitor for acceptable progress
- Minimize collar use
ICF: Neck Pain w/ Movement Coordination Impairments
Subacute if prognosis if for a prolonged recovery
- Education: activation and
counseling - Combined exercise: active
cervical ROM and isometric
low-load strengthening plus
manual therapy (cervical
mobilization or manipulation)
plus physical agents: ice, heat,
TENS - Supervised exercise: active
cervical ROM or stretching,
strengthening, endurance,
neuromuscular exercise
including postural, coordination,
and stabilization elements