Special Tests for the Cervical Spine

Question 1

ADSON Maneuver - Assesses for ….

Answer 1

Anterior Scalene TOS

Question 2

ADSON Maneuver - Instructions

Answer 2

1) Locate radial pulse on affected side
2) Bring arm into extension & lateral rotation
3) Ask client to turn head to affected side and tilt chin up
4) Direct client to take deep breath and hold it

Question 3

ADSON Maneuver - Positive

Answer 3

Decrease in radial pulse
Increase in neurological symptoms

Question 4

ALLEN test - Assesses for…

Answer 4

Anterior Scalene TOS

Question 5

ALLEN Test - Intructions

Answer 5

1) locate radial pulse on affected side
2) Have client flex elbow to 90 degrees
3) place arm into horizontal extension & external rotation
4) client rotates head to opposite side

Question 6

ALLEN test - positive

Answer 6

Decrease in radial pulse
Increase in neurological symptoms

Question 7

Military Brace Test - Assesses for…

Answer 7

TOS (Costoclavicular Syndrome)

Question 8

Military Brace Test - Instructions

Answer 8

1) Locate radial pulse on affected side
2) Move the shoulder down and back

Question 9

WRIGHT Hyperabduction Test - Assesses for…

Answer 9

TOS (Pec Minor Syndrome)

Question 10

WRIGHT Hyperabduction Test - Instructions

Answer 10

1) Locate radial pulse on affected side
2) Passively move arm into hyperabduction (as far as possible)
3) Having the client take a breath, rotate or extend the head and neck may add to the effect

Question 11

The chin to chest / look at ceiling screening test would assess for…

Answer 11

possible fracture of odontoid process

Question 12

The vertebral artery test asseses for….

Answer 12

circulation deficiency of the vertebral artery at the transverse foramen

Question 13

Vertebral Artery Test Instructions

Answer 13

1) Passively extend and side flex the neck
2) rotate the clients neck to the same side and hold for 30 seconds
3) repeat test on other side

Question 14

what is a positive for the vertebral artery test?

(with explanation)

Answer 14

dizziness
nystagmus (circular motion of the eyes)

*a positive sign indicates an issue with the opposite side’s vertebral artery

*maximally stretching the vertebral artery decreases the space in the lumen of the artery. The positioning of this test especially decreases the diameter of the artery

Question 15

The _________ test should not be performed if the ____________ test is positive.

Answer 15

The Spurling’s test should not be performed if the Vertebral Artery test is positive.

Question 16

Slump Test - Assesses for…

Answer 16

cervical disc pathology; to stretch the dural tube and spinal cord to reproduce pain caused by nerve root involvement; meningeal irritation or dural irritation

(confirmation for a herniated nucleus pulposus)

Question 17

Slump Test - Instructions

Answer 17

1) client is seated with hands clasped behind back
2) client slumps forward with upper thoracic region
3) head and neck are fully flexed
4) leg on affected is extended at the knee
5) foot is dorsiflexed
6) client slowly extends the head