The Cervical Spine :Muscle and Neurological Testing

Question 1

How do you perform a muscle test for the SCM and the scalenes

Answer 1

Cl supine
shoulders ext rot + abd to 90 degrees + elbows flexed to 90 degrees resting on the table
(this stabilizes the shoulder and reduces any compensatory movements)
Head is rotated Contralaterally
Thera resists against temporal region cl tries to anterolaterally flex the neck.

Question 2

What position should the shoulder be in when performing a Muscle test of the SCM or scalenes?

Answer 2

Cl supine
shoulder ext rot and flexed 90 degrees
elbow bent 90 degrees

Question 3

How do you perform a muscle test on the posterolateral extensors of the neck?

Answer 3

Cl prone
shoulders and elbows bent at 90 degrees resting on table
head is ipsilaterally rotated and slightly ext
Thera resists against the posterolateral aspect of the head in the an anterior direction

Question 4

How does the muscle test for upper traps and posterolateral extensors differ?

Answer 4

Same position but…
posterolateral ext = ipsi rot of head
upper traps = contralateral rot
of head

Question 5

How do you perform a muscle test for the upper trapezius?

Answer 5

Cl high seated
with ipsi acromion elevated and the neck posterolaterally extended and contralaterally rotated. The therapist attempts to depress the scapula and anterolaterally flex the neck

Question 6

How do you perform a muscle test for the levator scapula?

Answer 6

Cl prone
neck rotated ipsila
shoulder add slightly laterally rotated and extended
elbow is fully flexed
cl attempts to hold this position
therapist attempts abd of shoulder with resistance at the elbow and to depress the scapula with resistance at the acromion

Question 7

C1/C2 myotome testing

Answer 7

resisted head nodding

Question 8

C3 myotome testing

Answer 8

resisted cervical side bending

Question 9

C4 myotome testing

Answer 9

resisted shoulder/ scapular elevation

Question 10

C5 myotome testing

Answer 10

resisted shoulder abduction

Question 11

C6 myotome testing

Answer 11

resisted elbow flexion or wrist extension

Question 12

C7 myotome testing

Answer 12

resisted elbow extension or wrist flexion

Question 13

C8 myotome testing

Answer 13

resisted flexion of fingers

Question 14

T1 myotome testing

Answer 14

resisted abd of the little finger

Question 15

Ulnar nerve myotome testing

Answer 15

resisted abd of little finger

Question 16

Median nerve myotome testing

Answer 16

pinching of the thumb and index finger

Question 17

If i am resisting head nodding which myotome am i testing?

Answer 17

C1-2

Question 18

If i am resisting cervical side bending which myotome am i testing?

Answer 18

C3

Question 19

If i am resisting shoudler/ scapular elevation what myotome am i tesing?

Answer 19

C4

Question 20

If i am resisting shoulder abduction what myotome am i testing?

Answer 20

C5

Question 21

If i am resisting elbow flexion or wrist ext what myotome am i testing?

Answer 21

C6

Question 22

If i am resisting elbow extension or wrist flex what myotome am i testing?

Answer 22

C7

Question 23

If i am resisting flexion of fingers what myotome am i testing?

Answer 23

C8

Question 24

If i am resisting abduction of the little finger what 2 myotomes am i testing?

Answer 24

T1 / Ulnar nerve

Question 25

If i am resisting pinching of the thumb and index fingers what myotome am i testing?

Answer 25

Median nerve

Question 26

what area should you brush to test the C5 dermatome?

Answer 26

lateral shoulder and arm

Question 27

What area should you brush to test C6 Dermatome?

Answer 27

thumb, index finger

Question 28

What area should you brush to test C7 Dermatome?

Answer 28

Middle finger

Question 29

What area should you brush to test C8 Dermatome?

Answer 29

Digiti minimi

Question 30

What area should you brush to test T1 Dermatome?

Answer 30

Medial Elbow

Question 31

If you brush the lateral shoulder and arm what dermatome are you testing?

Answer 31

C5

Question 32

If you brush the thumb and index finger what dermatome are you testing?

Answer 32

C6

Question 33

If you brush the middle finger what dermatome are you testing?

Answer 33

C7

Question 34

If you brush the digiti minimi what dermatome are you testing?

Answer 34

C8

Question 35

If you brush the medial elbow what dermatome are you testing?

Answer 35

T1