Thoracic Functional/Special Tests Flashcards
Exam Components
- Pt Hx
- Systems Review (referred pain is common)
- Observation
- Scanning Exam
- ROM/Flexibility
- Muscle
- Palpation
- Joint Play
- Special Tests
Differential Diagnosis for Thoracic
-Visceral
-Serious Origin
-T-spine dysfunction
-Rib dysfunction
Pt Hx
-trauma
-breathing/smoking
-eating
-central vs lateral pain
-posture
-Heart issues
Systems Review
-visceral pain
-Take vitals
-UMN Signs
Observations
-Respiration
-Posture
-Spinal Curves
-Position of scapula
-Chest shapes
Spinal Observations
Dowager’s Hump
-anterior wedge vertebrae
Hump Back:
-1-2 anteriorly wedged vertebrae
Flat Back:
-dec lordosis and kyphosis
Pelvic Heights:
-obliquities
Scoliosis
Chest Observations
Barrel Chest:
-wise ant/post
Funnel Chest:
-dip in sternum
Pigeon Chest:
-protrusion in sternum
UQ and Thoracic Scan
- Vitals (HR and BP)
- Observation: posture, plumb line, head, face, neck, mouth
- CNs (optional)
- Respiratory Excursion
- Gait: look for gross abnormalities
- Clear the spine (Cervical and Thoracic)
- UE ROM: All 6 w/ overpressure
- Dermatomes (C4-L1)
- Myotomes (C5-T1)
- DTR: bicep, brachioradialis, tricep, Abdominal
- UMN Testing: Hoffman’s, Babinski, Lhermitte
- Upper Limb Tension Testing (Median)
- Pulses (carotid, axillary, brachial, radial, ulnar) (optional)
- Thyroid (optional)
- Chest Auscultation (optional)
LQ and Thoracic Scan
- Vitals***
- Observation: posture, plumb line
- Gait: look for gross abnormalities
- Functional MMts: squats***
- Balance Testing***
- Clear the spine**
- SI Joint Provocation**
- Myotomes: include functional testing (heel and toe walking)
- Dermatomes (T2-S1)
- DTR: patellar, med hamstring, Achilles
- UMN Testing: Babinski, clonus***
- Neurodynamic Testing: SLR, slump test**
- LE ROM: FABER, flx, DF/PF, toe flx/ext
- Pulses (optional)
- Lymph Nodes (optional)
- Chest Auscultationon
Respiratory Assessment: Superior Ribs
- Pt supine, PT behind head
- PT hands inferior to clavicle
- Instruct them to breathe in, hold it, then breathe in again
(+): expansion is asymmetrical, 1 rib rises when another doesn’t
Respiratory Assessment: Inferior Ribs
- Pt supine, PT on side
- PT hands in intercostal spaces of ribs of lateral rib cage
- Instruct them to breathe in, hold it, then breathe in again
(+): expansion is asymmetrical, 1 rib rises when another doesn’t
Thoracic AROM
- Pt is seated and arms crossed
- Flx/ext, SB, ROT, Qudrant (if needed)
- Resist in lengthened position if not painful, if painful, assess in neutral
Thoracic Spine ROM Norms
Total:
-Flx: 20-45
-Ext: 15-20
-Rot: 35-50
-SB: 25-45
T Spine Flexion/extension: Inclinometer
-flex 20-45 and ext 15-20
-c7
T Spine Lateral Flexion: Inclinometer
-25-45
-c7
UE ROM
-Cervical
-Shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers
-Thoracic
Flx/ext/abd/IR/ER
- AROM –> reproduction of local s/s
- AROM –> reproduction of remote s/s
- AROM –> no impact on s/s
LE ROM
-Flx/ext
-IR/ER
-ABD/ADD
Muscle Flexibility
-Pecs
-Lats
-Levator
-Cervical Extensors
Muscle Strength
-Serratus ant
-Rotator cuff
-Traps
Thoracic PA Springing
-C7-L1
1. Pt prone
2. Use hypothenar eminence on SP
3. Assess TP and press on Lamina
Thoracic PA Rib Springing
-T1-T12
- Pt Prone
- Use hypothenar eminence on Rib
Thoracic AP Rib Springing
-T1-T7
-Only performed when Pt has anterior chest pain
- Pt supine
- Assess sternum (upper, mid, lower) or Costocartilage
1st Rib Dysfunction Dx
- Height: 1/2 inch elevation
- (+) Spring test
- (+) Inc scalene tone ipsi
- (+) Cervical Rotation lateral flx test
1st Rib Elevation Assessment
-palpate 1st rib posteriorly
(+): elevated if 1 side is 1/2 inch higher