Neuromuscular Impairments - Cervicogenic Dizziness Flashcards
Neck Extensors
associated fatty infiltration and atrophy
conversion of fibre type - become fast twitch
increased activation of the superficial muscles
reduced offset of superficial muscles once turned on
reduced strength and endurance of muscles
Neck Flexors
increased superficial muscle activity
reduced deep muscle activity in functional tasks
reduced ability of superficial muscles to switch off
delayed onset with sudden perturbation
reduced strength and endurance
conversion to fast twitch fibre type
Functional Impairments
reduced speed of movement impaired kinaesthetic sense increased rigidity and stiffness in balance tasks poor standing balance reduced head/eye coordination
Scapular Muscles
reduced ability to relax the upper traps
varying degrees of activation in the lower/upper traps with different tasks
very variable - need to link to specific patient pain presentation
Cervicogenic Dizziness - Pathology
abnormal input from dysfunctional upper cervical joitns and muscles
and/or abnormal modulation of sensory input
Causes incongruence between the visual, vestibular and somatosensory systems
Cervicogenic Dizziness - Dysfunction of Mechanoreceptors
increased/decrease activity of muscles - result of
- direct damage from trauma
- muscle atrophy or degeneration
- inflammation results in increased sensitivity
- abnormal joint loading
- changed recruitment patterns
- muscle fatigue
- CNS changes
Cervicogenic Dizziness - Diagnosis
non-specific sensation of altered orientation in space
not true vertigo - don’t have spinning sensation
disorientation
disequilibrium
vague unsteadiness
difficulty walking in the dark
loss of balance
difficulty focusing when reading
mild nausea
symptoms last from minutes-hours
dizziness started with neck pain
dizziness increases when neck pain increases
dizziness exacerbated by neck movements and loading
Cervicogenic Dizziness - evaluation of sensorimotor disturbances
joint position error
standing balance
eye movement control
