Thoracic Spine Flashcards
What is the scapular protraction test?
Patient pushes against wall with both hands with feet farther
away from the wall than the shoulders
Positive => scapular winging; pain and weakness during maneuver
what are the findings of scapular protraction test?
- Serratus anterior muscle weakness
- Long thoracic nerve dysfunction
- Lower trapezius dysfunction
what is elevated arm stress test (ROOS)?
Have patient externally rotate shoulders with elbows slightly
behind head
Patient opens and closes hands slowly for 3 min
Positive => pain, heaviness, profound arm weakness or numbness and tingling of the hand
what are the findings of elevated arm stress test?
thoracic outlet syndrome
what is the costoclavicular test?
- Examiner monitors patients’ radial pulse throughout
- Draw patient’s shoulder down and back as the patient assumes
a military posture
Positive => disappearance or diminution of the pulse or if symptoms
are elicited
what are the findings of costoclavicular test
Thoracic outlet syndrome –
usually subclavian artery being
compressed between 1st rib and
clavicle
what is Wright’s hyperabduction test?
- Examiner monitors patient’s radial pulse throughout
- Elevate patient’s arm up to 180 degrees
Positive => diminishment of the pulse or provocation of the
symptoms
what is the findings of Wright’s Hyperabduction test?
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - usually subclavian artery and
brachial plexus behind the pectoral
muscle and under coracoid process
what is the Adson’s Test
- Examiner abducts patient’s arm and palpates radial pulse
- Instruct patient to turn head toward the affected side, extend
the neck and take a deep inhalation
Positive => disappearance or diminution of the pulse or provocation
of symptoms
what is the finding of Adson’s Test
Thoracic outlet syndrome –
usually related to tight scalene
muscles
What is Halstead’s Test (reverse Adson’s)
- Examiner abducts patient’s arm and palpates radial pulse
- Instruct patient to turn head away from affected side, extend
neck and take a deep inhalation
Positive => disappearance or diminution of pulse or provocation of
symptoms
what is the findings of Halstead’s Test
Thoracic outlet syndrome – usually related to tight scalene muscles
what is the Adam’s Sign
- Patient takes off shirt, so spine is visible
- Patient bends forward, starting at the waist until the back
comes in the horizontal plane with the feet together, arms
hanging, knees in extension, and palms held together - Examiner stands behind patient and looks along horizontal
plane of spine looking for abnormalities of the spinal curve
(increased/decreased lordosis/kyphosis) and asymmetry of
trunk
Positive => functional if curve disappears upon bending or structural
if curve does not disappear upon bending
what is the findings for Adam’s sign
Detecting structural or functional
scoliosis
what is the dural slump test
- Stage 1 – patient is seated and asked to slump; while patient
flexes their thoracic spine and shoulders sag forward, all
while the examiner holds the chin and head erect - Stage 2 – examiner passively flexes the patient’s neck while
patient is maintaining stage 1 position - Stage 3 – examiner passively extends one of patient’s knees
- Stage 4 – examiner passively dorsiflexes extended leg
- Stage 5 – repeat with other leg starting at stage 3
Positive => sciatic pain or reproduction of patient’s symptoms
