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Flashcards in Cervical Special Tests Deck (22)
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1
Q

Vertebral artery test - tests for what

A

Integrity of vertebrobasilar vascular system

2
Q

Vertebral artery test - how to perform

A

Pt supine with head supported over end of table - EO
Passively extend head and neck, hold for 30 sec
If no sx - passively rotate and SB with extension in both directions
Hold each position for 30 sec

3
Q

Flexion rotation test - tests for what

A

Cervical contribution to HA

4
Q

Flexion rotation test - how to perform

A

Pt supine
Passively perform max flexion of c spine and then fully rotate head in each direction
Pos if reproduction of HA or loss of 10 ROM from one side

5
Q

Transverse ligament stress test - tests for what

A

Integrity of trans ligament

6
Q

Transverse ligament stress test - how to perform

A

Pt supine with head supported on table
Glide C1 ant - should be firm end feel
Pos if soft end feel, dizzy, nystagmus, lump in throat, nausea

7
Q

Anterior Shear Test - Tests for what

A

Integrity of upper C spine ligaments and capsules

8
Q

Anterior shear test - how to perform

A

Pt supine with head supported on table
Glide C2-C7 anterior - should be firm end feel
Pos if laxity, lump in throat, nystagmus, dizzy, nausea

9
Q

Foraminal compression (spurling’s test) - tests for what

A

Dysfunction (typically compression) of cervical nerve root

10
Q

Foraminal compression (spurling’s test) - how to perform

A

Pt sitting with head SB toward uninvolved side
Apply pressure through head straight down
Repeat with head toward invovled side
Pos if pain/paresthesia in dematomal pattern

11
Q

Maximum cervical compression test - tests for what

A

Compression of neural structures at intervertebral foramen and/or facet dysfunction

12
Q

Maximum cervical compression test - how to perform

A

Pt sitting
Passively move head into SB and rot toward nonpainful side followed by extension
Repeat towards painful side
CAREFUL because similar to vertebral artery test
Pos if pain/paresthesia in dermatomal pattern or localized pain for facet

13
Q

Distraction test - tests for what

A

Compression of neural structures at intervertebral foramen or facet joint dysfunction

14
Q

Distraction test - how to perform

A

Pt sitting with head passively distracted
Pos if dec in sx in neck (facet condition)
Pos if dec in upper limb pain (neurological condition)

15
Q

Shoulder abduction test - tests for what

A

Compression of neural structures within intervertebral foramen

16
Q

Shoulder abduction test - how to perform

A

Pt sitting and asked to place one hand on top of their head - repeat with opp hand
Pos if dec in symptoms into upper limb

17
Q

Lhermitte’s sign - tests for what

A

Dysfunction of spinal cord and/or an UMN lesion

18
Q

Lhermitte’s sign - how to perform

A

Pt long sitting on table
Passively flex pt head and one hip while keeping knee in extension
Repeat with other hip
Pos if pain down into spine and into UE or LE

19
Q

Alar ligament test - tests for

A

integrity of alar ligament

20
Q

Alar ligament test - how to perform

A

Pt seated
Passively slightly flex the upper C spine and apply firm pincer grip to C2 SP
Palpate movement at C2 during passive upper cervical SB and/or rotation

21
Q

Modified sharp purser test - tests for what

A

Integrity of transverse ligament

22
Q

Modified sharp purser test - how to perform

A

Pt seated, passively flex upper c spine slightly and apply firm pincer grasp onto C2 SP
Apply post translation and extension force through forehead while assessing for excessive translation