Week 1-2 Unit 1 Flashcards
Describe the Proximal Vertebrobasilar artery
- Originates from aortic arch or common carotid artery: may be compressed by anterior scalene
What are the signs of VBI?
5 D’s
3 N’s
- Dizziness, diplopia, drop attacks, dysphagia, dysarthria,
- nystagmus, nausea, neuro symptoms
Describe Transverse Vertebrobasilar artery
Courses through transverse foramen (C6) to transverse foramen of C2
- Susceptible to osteophytes and subluxations
Describe the Suboccipital part of the Vertebrobasilar Artery
Sigmoid path; runs from exit at C2 to foramen magnum : cranio-cervical motion can affect vascular structure ; broken down into different portions :
- Within transverse foramen of C2
- Between C2 and C1
- Foramen magnum
- between atlas and foramen magnum (upper portion); Superficial, covered by traps, semispinalis capitits, rectus capitis; vulnerable to direct blunt trauma
C-T Junction
C6-T1
- First rib and second rib
- Important because junction points in the spine we are more susceptible to injury
- 1st and 2nd rib attach to T1 and T2
- 1st rib and thoracic outlet has a complex of nerves and vasculature in the region and can become compromised
C1 vertebrae
Atlas
- no vertebral body or spinous process
- widest cervical vertebra
- lateral masses connect to occipital condyles
- posterior arch has groove for vertebral arteries
C2 Vertebrae
Axis
- strongest cervical vertebra
- large superior facets connect to C1
- large bifid spinous processes
- dens : pivot for C1 an head to rotate
Atlanto Occipital
- Atlas + occipital condyles
- capital flexion and extension
- capital side bending
- synovial thin and loose capsule
Atlanto Axial
- 2 lateral facets connect to C1
Median joint: dens connect atlas - pivot joint
- rotation : cranium and C1 rotate on C2 as a unit
Transverse Ligament
- Holds dens against atlas
- prevents dens from pressing posterior against spinal cord
- prevents Atlas from Slipping forward and compressing spinal cord via posterior arch
- If ligament breaks Dens would move backward into spinal cord or atlas would translate forward which would pill posterior arch against spinal cord
Alar Ligament
- Sides of Dens to foramen magnum
- Check ligaments to limit rotation
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
- Atlantoaxial ligament/ Atlanto-occipital ligament
- Anterior vertebral bodies
- Prevents hyperextension
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
- posterior vertebral bodies
- resists hyperflexion
- prevents and redirects posterior disc herniation
Sternocleidomastoid OIIA
O= lateral surface of mastoid process of temporal l bon and lateral half of superior nuchal line
I= Sternal Head: anterior surface of manubrium of sternum
Clavicular head: Superior surface of medial third of clavicle
I= Spinal accessory nerve 11 : C3/C4
A=
Unilateral contraction= tilts head same side
Bilateral contraction= extends neck/ flexes head
Rectus capitis Anterior OIIA
O= Base of cranium just anterior to occipital condyle
I= Anterior surface of lateral mass of atlas
I= branches from looop between C1 and C2 spinal nerves
A= flex head
Anterior scalene OIIA
O= Transverse processes of C3-C6
I= first rib
I= cervical spinal nerves C4-C6
A= flexes neck laterally: elevates 1st rib during forced inspiration
Cervical Arthrokinematics : Opening and Closing
Opening:
- Flexion
- Contralateral Flexion ( side bend away)
- Contralateral Rotation (rotate away)
Closing:
- Extension
- Ipsilateral Flexion ( side bend toward)
- Ipsilateral Rotation (Rotate Toward)
Coupled Motions
Neck Pain: Prevalence and Risk Factors
- Recurrence rates and chronicity are high
- Female
- Females in their 50’s
- High job demands
- Smoking history
- Low social/work support
- ## LBP history
Prognostic Indicators of Neck Pain
- high pain
- self reported self-disability
- High Pain Catastrophizing
- High Acute PTS
- Cold Hyperalgesia
- Prior Health: Exercise, neck pain, sick leave
- Age
- Other MSK conditions
Clinical Course of Neck pain
- Most rapid recovery in 6-12 weeks
- Little recovery after 12 months
- Chronic : stable, fluctuating or recurrent
Canadian Cervical Spine Rule (CCR)
Low Risk
Low Risk - Acute imaging not required
1. Able to sit in the ED, or
2. Simple rear-end MVA or
3. Ambulatory at any time or
4. Had delayed onset of neck pain or
5. Do not have midline spine tenderness
6. And are able to rotate head 45 degrees each direction
Canadian Cervical Spine Rule (CCR)
High Risk
- NEED IMAGING
1. >65 years or
2. dangerous MOI or
3. Have parathesis in extremities
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency VBI
- Damage and occlusion VBA
- MOI: traumatic cervical hyperextension with or without rotation, cervical side flexion
- There may be no complaint of vascular symptoms prior to an infarction except with specific movements
- Potentially life threatening
VBI Causes/ Risk Factors
- Atherosclerotic involvement
- Sickle cell diseases
- RA
- Arterial fibroplasias
- Arteriovenous fistula
- Other congenital syndromes
Proximal Crossed Syndrome
- Elevated, protracted shoulder girdle
- Rotated, abducted, winged scapula
- Forward head
- Decreased GHJ stability
- Increased Levator scap and traps activity
- Shortened pec major, minor and SCM
- weak/lengthened DCFS, rhomboids, serratus anterior, lower traps
Forward Head Posture
- COG, mm LOF
-Myofascial pain - Habitual movement patterns or positions
- Zygapophyseal joints
- Scapulothoracic rhythm
- Postulated changes : open mouth breathing: thoracic hyperflexion
(Zygapophyseal joints, also known as facet joints, are synovial joints in the spine that connect the superior articular process of one vertebra to the inferior articular process of the vertebra above it. )
Cervical Flexion- Rotation Test (CFRT)
- A-A rotation
- Patient in supine
- Fully flex C-spine to lock out lower segments
- Rotate head
- positive test = <32 degrees rotation or 10 degrees visual deficit to either side
- Sn 0.95; Sp 0.97
- LR 0.27 ; +LR 9.4
- MDC 5-7 degrees
- Compare side to side
Cranial Cervical Flexion Test (CCFT)
- testing to see if they can contract and control the muscles
- Positive finding would be if the pt is unable to perform or if they start using superficial cervical muscles like SCM or Scalenes or if they can’t control the force
- Test action of 4 DCFs
- Activation/ endurance
- Pressure biofeedback unit PBU
- Start at 20mmhg
- Increase by 2mmHg hold for 5-10 seconds
- up to 30 mmHg
DCF Endurance
- Perform craniocervical flexion–> mark the crease below pt’s chin
- ask patient to raise head 1 inch off the table
- test stops when the head/neck extends, patient loses the neck crease
- Watch for SCM substitution
- Average time in subjects without neck pain is 39 seconds
What are the tests for neurological symptoms for the neck
- Foraminal compression ( SPURLING’S TEST)
- Distraction test
- Shoulder Abduction Test
- ULTT
Bicep reflex
Brachioradialis reflex
Triceps reflex
Bicep C5
Brachioradialis C6
Triceps C7
UMN reflexs/Signs tests
- Babinski
- Hoffman
- Clonus
- L’hermitte’s
Special Tests (Neurological sysmptoms) ordered from most Sensitive to least Sensitive
- ULTT Median : Sn 0.97, Sp 0.22, +LR 1.3, -LR 0.12
- Spurling’s test: Sn 0.50, Sp 0.86, +LR 3.5, -LR 0.58
- Distraction Test: Sn 0.44, Sp 0.90, +LR 4.4, -LR 0.62
- Shoulder Abduction Test: Sn 0.31- 0.43, Sp 0.8-1.0
What is the test cluster for Radiculopathy
test:
1. restricted cervical rotation
2. (+) ULTT 1 median
3. (+) Spurling’s test
4. (+) cervical distraction
Test Clusters
- 4 (+) tests= Sn 0.24, Sp 0.99, +LR 30.3
- 3 (+) tests= Sn 0.39, Sp 0.94, +LR 6.1
- 2 (+) tests= Sn 0.39, Sp 0.56, +LR 0.88
What are the special tests for Craniocervical Instability
- Modified sharp pursers
- Anterior shear test
- latera/transverse shear
- Alar ligament stress test
- PAIVM’s/ Passive Accessory Motion Testing
Indications for Stability testing of the craniocervical region
- Signs/Symptoms
S & S
- a lump in the throat
- lip paresthesia
- nausea or vomiting
- severe headache and muscle spasm
- Dizziness
- History of neck trauma or any of the causes of instability listed previously
- Patient reports of neck instability usually described as the head feeling heavy
Special Tests for Carniocervical Integrity
- Sharp pursers
- Anterior Shear test
- Alar Ligament stress test
- Lateral Shear test
Localized pain =
Pain in the exact spot
Referred pain=
Exaxmple:
If someone pushes C5/C6 they then feel like their shoulder blade is getting achy: pain that is distant/ far away from the original point
Radicular Pain =
Pain the follows the nerve root pathway
Example:
When you are pushing on C5/C6 and now their thumb is starting to become painful
Cerrvicogenic Headache
Neurodynamic relationship of this may be due o interconnection between trigeminal nerve and first cervical roots
Diagnostic Criteria
- Unilateral pain
- Pain in neck triggered by movement or sustained postures
- Lying down will alleviate symptoms
Reduced ROM
- Possible reduced deep neck cervical flexor strength
- Probably poor posture which increases stress on cervical musculature
Spondylosis
Blanket term: also known aa arthritis, cervical disc disease, DDD, Arthrosis
- Describes degenerative changes in the spine
- As young as 30 years old more than 90% @60y/o
- C5-6 or C6-C7 most common places found at
- + radiographic evidence should not be regarded as symptomatic
Clinical presentation
- Gradual onset of neck or arm symptoms
- increased frequency or severity
- Morning stiffness of neck, improving throughout day
- May present with acute stiff neck, cervical myelopathy and veretbrobasilar insufficiency
Clinical presentation of Spondylosis
- Gradual onset of neck or arm symptoms
- increased frequency or severity
- Morning stiffness of neck, improving throughout day
- May present with acute stiff neck, cervical myelopathy and veretbrobasilar insufficiency
Physical Examination Findings of Spondylosis
- reduced motion in sagittal plane
- decrease in SB
- Capsular pattern
- Possible “giving away” or catch in movement
- Radicular symptoms
Asymptomatic
1. Dysfunctional
2. Unstable
3. Stabilizing
Zygapophyseal Joint Dysfunction; Cervical Facet Syndrome
- Acute cervical joint lock or “wry neck”
- Axial Unilateral pain “Neck locking”
- Can refer NOT RADITATING PAST SHOULDER
- MOI: Sudden closing motion or a sustained position
- Painful, restricted facet closing movement
- (-) neurological signs/symptoms
- Palpation - tender just lateral to midline, regional soft tissue changes
- PA’s- pain at the level of dysfunction
- Radiology: typically unremarkable
- Confirmed by diagnostic intra-articular zygapophyseal injections
Facet Joint Osteoarthritis
( part of spondylosis)
- facet joints will show classic hallmark signs of osteoarthritis
- Degenerative changes are present in asymptomatic patients
Degenerative changes don’t always cause pain
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
- Degenerative process:
1. reduction of muscipolysaccharides in NP
2. Increase of collagen in NP
3. Loss of disc bulk, turgor, and ability to resist compression - less shock absorption, more segmental mobility
Facet compression, subluxation - Uncovertebral compression –> degeneration
- Commonly seen @ C5-C6