Spinal Special Tests Flashcards
Cervical Compression Test
o Nerve root compression test
o Both hands on head, locked fingers, pressure on top of head
o Looking for nerve root problems
o Could send pain, tingling, numbness radiating through shoulder
Cervical Distraction Test
o Cervical radicular syndrome
o Can only be completed if there is shooting pain or numbness in the shoulder/arm
o Test aims to reduce symptoms
o Hands under occipital bone and pulling head extending the spine
Valsalva Maneuver
o Nerve root compression test
o Cervical Radicular Syndrome
o Sitting position
o Breathing out hard and slow onto hand or decreasing pressure by squeezing nose and breathing out like on a plane
o Pain or tingling sensation should increase
Myotome Testing
o Nerve root compression test
o Herniated disks in younger population and degenerate disks in older population
o C5 abduct arms 90 degrees and apply downward resisted pressure DELTOIDS
o C6 supinated position 90 degrees resisted downward pressure BICEPS
o C7 supinated position 90 degrees resisted upward pressure TRICEPS
Dermatome Testing
o Use brush from handle of reflex hammer to bilaterally compare sections of skin innervated by specific spinal discs
Reflexes
o Nerve root compression test
o Biceps tendon reflexes for C5/6
o Use reflex hammer on forearm
o Triceps tendon reflexes for C7
o Use reflex hammer on lower part of triceps at elbow
o Both graded on a 5 grade scale with 0 being no response (abnormal)
Brachial Plexus Traction Test
o Test for thoracic outlet syndrome
o One hand on shoulder and one hand on head
o Passive head movement to one side stretching the neck
o Positive test would be radiating pain down the arm
Slump Test
o Dura (muscles around C1-C3) tightness
o Stretching structures of the neural canal and foramen
o Hands behind back and slumping body keep the head stable
o Aim is to stretch out lumbar spine
o Place pressure over the shoulders and ask patient to bring head to the chest
Quadrant Test
o Tilting head with passive range of movement
