Examination of the Spine Flashcards
What do you look for during a spinal examination?
Spinal curves from the side
Cervical and lumbar lordosis
Thoracic kyphosis
Observe spine from behind - posture of head and neck
Loss of symmetry or scoliosis?
Scars or sinuses?
curvy post ssss
What do you feel during spinal examination?
Spinous processes and Sacrioliac joints - feeling for tenderness
Paraspinal muscle tenderness or increased tone
What do you do for move?
Active:
Cervical spine:
Flexion
Extension
Lateral flexion
Rotation
Lumbar spine:
Flexion (place fingers on two adjacent spinous processes) and extensionld be done here
Schobers’ test could be done at this point
Thoracic spine:
Rotation
How do you do schobers test?
Make an X in the middle of the posterior superior iliac spines
Mark the skin 10cm above and 5 cm below this point
On flexion this should now read more than 20 cm
What is after the move part?
Neurological examination
What is involved in the neurological examination?
Straight leg raise
Reflexes
Power/sensation (fine touch)
Where are the following dermatomes?
- C5
- C6
- C7
- C8
- T1
- T2
- L1
- L2
- L3
- L4
- L5
- S1
- S2
C5 = regimental badge area
C6= thumb
C7 = middle finger
C8= little finger
T1= medial antecubital fossa
T2 = axilla
L1= Upper medial thigh
L2 = Medial mid-thigh
L3= Medial side of the knee
L4= medial malleolus
L5 = Dorsal foot, first web-space
S1 = lateral heel
S2 = Back of thigh
S3-5 = rectal tone and buttock/perianal/rectal sensation
What do you test for power?
C5 = deltoid
C6 = biceps
C7 = Triceps
C8 = finger flexion - bend your fingers
T1 = Finger abduction - spread your fingers
L1/L2 = hip flexion
L3/4 = quadricepts (straighten your knee)
L5 = great toe dorsiflexion
S1/S2 = foot plantarflexion
What are the nerve roots for reflexes?
Upper limb
Biceps = C5/6
Triceps = C7/8
Lower Limb
Knee = L3/4
Ankle jerk = S1/2
