Phys med: Conditions of cervical spine Flashcards
The clinical encounter: OHIPMNRS: what does this stand for?
Observe
History
-LO DR FICARA
Inspection
Palpation
Motion
Neurovascular
Referred Pain (screening adjacent areas)
Special tests
Observe:
Patient’s general appearance, posture & gait (how do they walk into the office?)
Emotional status (happy, sad): are they comfotable?
History (basic considerations):
Where is the problem? Point to it exactly. When did it start?
What makes it better or worse? Prior to treatment or injuries?
Quality of issue? (numbness, tingling, sharp, ache)
Severity (scale from 0-10)? Gradual or sudden onset?
LoDrFicara
Inspection(Visual):
Posture, gait, bony deformity, trouble with activities of daily living, (ADLs)
Obvious discomfort (painful expression, unable to sit comfortably, limp)
Bony & soft tissues (deformity, bruising, swelling, color, sweat/dry, scars, calluses, bunions, atrophy, ulcers)
Footwear (supportive, wear patterns on shoes, assisting devices such as orthotics or braces)
Palpation (360 degrees around joint/painful area):
Please Note: Temperature, texture, tone, tenderness (4 T’s)
360 degrees around the joint
A bit above and a bit below the site of injury/complaint
Apply enough pressure to feel deeper tissues and recreate pain.
Anatomy review (bone, tendons, ligaments, fascia, blood vessels, nerves, lymph, viscera)
Motion: AROM/PROM/RROM:
Order:
1) AROM (note any issues)
2) PROM Full ranges with over pressure for end feel
3) RROM Full strength but fully isometric (neutral/relaxed position)
Neurovascular screen:
-Dermatomes
-Myotomes
-Deep Tendon Reflexes
-Pulses, Capillary Refill, Temperature
Referred Pain (screen adjacent areas):
Is there pain in other areas?
Special tests (orthopedic tests):
Start with tests for the specific area of pain/concern
Keep in mind nerve referral pathways. So if appropriate, perform special tests above and below the site of pain/concern.
Cervical Spine Anatomy:
Joints of the cervical spine:
-Atlanto-occipital joints (C0-C1)
-Atlanto-axial joints (C1-C2)
-Facet joints (14 in total)
-Intervertebral discs
Atlanto-occipital joints (C0-C1):
Principal motion=flexion/extension (15-20 degrees)
Rotation is negligible
Stabilized by several ligaments
Atlanto-axial joints (C1-C2):
Most mobile articulation of the spine
Main supporting ligament is the transvers ligament holding the dens of the axis against the anterior arch of the atlas.
This ligament weakens or ruptures in rheumatoid arthritis.
Two projections of the ligament go superior to the occiput and inferior to the axis, together with the transverse is known as the cruciform ligament movements.
-Flexion
-Extension
-Lateral flexion
-Rotation
Facet joints (14 in total):
Facilitates flexion and extension.
Limited rotation or side flexion
Greatest flex/Ext occurs at C5-C6 and next between C4-C5 and C6-C7
Because of this mobility degeneration is more likely to be seen at these levels.
Intervertebral discs:
-Make up 25% of the height of the C/S
-No disc between C0-C1 and C1-C2
-Nucleus pulposus buffers axial compression
-Annulus fibrosis withstands tension within the disc
Although there are 7 cervical vertebrae there are 8 cervical nerve roots, each is named for the vertebrae ABOVE it:
C5 nerve root is between C4 and C5, rest of the spine the root is named for the vertebrae BELOW.
ex) L4 nerve root is between L4 & L5
Cervical spine assessment (Bony Palpation):
Anterior aspect:
-Thyroid cartilage (C4-C5)
-Cricoid Cartilage (C6)
Posterior aspect:
-Occiput
-Inion (EOP)
-Mastoid Process
-SP of the cervical vertebrae (C2-7)
-Facet Joints
Cervical spine assessment (Soft tissue palpation-Anterior Portion):
1) SCM:
-Involved in torticollis
-Note discrepancies in size, tone/damaged
-Hyperextension damages
-May cause torticollis
2) Lymph node chain:
-Along medial border of SCM
-Enlarged nodes in SCM region indicated URTI
3) Supraclavicular fossa:
-Palpate for unusual swellings or lumps
-Swelling in the fossa might be secondary to trauma
-Small lumps may be due to enlarged lymph node
Cervical spine assessment (Soft tissue palpation-Posterior Portion):
1) Trapezius muscle:
-Origin= Inion to T12
-Insertion = clavicle, acromion, spine of scapula
-Action = elevate retract, and depress shoulders
2) Lymph Nodes
-Anterolateral aspect of traps
-Enlarged with infection
3) Levator scapulae:
-Origin=Upper cervical TVP’s
Insertion = Superior angle of the scapulae
Action = shrug shoulders
4) Splenius and semispinalis capitus (Deep muscles)
5) Scalene (anterior, middle, posterior):
-Multiple attachments including ribs 1 and 2