Spine

Question 1

What are you looking for from behind the patient

Answer 1

• Posture of head, neck and shoulders
• Thoraco-lumbar scoliosis (standing, bending forward)

Question 2

What are you looking for from the side of the patient

Answer 2

Cervical lordosis
Thoracic kyphosis (+/- gibbus)
Lumbar lordosis

Question 3

What are you feeling for in the supraclavicular area

Answer 3

feel for cervical ribs or enlarged lymph nodes

Question 4

what are you feeling for in the midline area

Answer 4

spinous processes (cervical to lumbar vertebrae)

Question 5

what areas do you feel in a spine examination

Answer 5

Supraclavicular – feel for cervical ribs or enlarged lymph nodes
Mid-line – spinous processes (cervical to lumbar vertebrae)
Para-spinal muscles (muscle bulk and note any spasm)
Iliac crest heights (asymmetry or excessive pelvic tilt)
Sacroiliac joints
Chest expansion (if ankylosing spondylitis suspected)

Question 6

what are the movements of the cervical spine

Answer 6

Flexion
Extension
Lateral flexion (left and right)
Rotation (left and right, preferably with patient sitting so can be
observed from above)

Question 7

what are the movements of the lumbar spine

Answer 7

Flexion
Extension
Lateral flexion (left and right)

Question 8

what is Schobers test

Answer 8

with the patient standing facing away from you, locate the sacroiliac joints
measure 10cm above and 5cm below the sacroiliac joint, mark with a pen
ask the patient to bend forward and remeasure this distance

Question 9

what does Schober’s test look for

Answer 9

ankylosing spondylitis