PT515 Midterm Flashcards
crude touch
anterolateral system, test with cotton swab
discriminatory test
dorsal column, test with cotton swab
pain
anterolateral system, test with paper clip, safety pin
proprioception
dorsal column, no tools needed to test
temperature
anterolateral system, test tubes or plastic cup to test
vibration
dorsal column, tuning fork
reflex
spinal cord, single afferent/efferent loop
test with hammer
3 major areas that could have injury that causes loss of sensation
brain, spinal cord, periphery
signs that injury is at brain level
one sided impairment
signs that injury is at spinal cord
everything at that level and above are intact, everything below may be impaired
periphery
stocking and gloves
principles for assessing sensation (touch)
- position patient comfortable
- make sure testing areas are exposed
- explain testing procedure and demonstrate on intact area
- obscure vision
- say “yes” when i touch you (crude) or tell me where i am touching you (disc)
- Start with normal sensation, then compare to impaired
How many touches per sensation test per side
10
how to score sensation test results
100% correct: intact sensation
<100% correct: diminished, reported as % accurate
0 correct: absent sensation
what does a reflex test show
integrity of monosynaptic reflex loop, afferent and efferent limb of that spinal segment
hyporeflexia
PNS pathology (no contraction) -can the information from the periphery get to the spinal cord
hyperreflexia
CNS pathology (multiple contractions) -can the information be interpreted and regulated correctly from the brain (inhibitory pathway)
Biceps Reflex
C5, musculocutaneous nerve, sensory is proximal lateral upper arm
Triceps Reflex
C7, Radial nerve, sensory is middle finger, volar, dorsal aspects
test for suspected neuromuscular injury
light touch, pain, proprioception, temperature, vibration, reflex
test for motor performance impairment
isometric strength testing (MMT)
patient reported outcomes survey
helps quantify the impact of someone’s condition on their function
help form a hypothesis and guide intervention
when to measure joints
- suspect that joint mobility is contributing to functional deficits
- determine a baseline of mobility and examine joint integrity
what is a contraindication to measuring joint mobility
fracture or significant trauma or post op where joint test could further the injury