Cervical Spine

Question 1

Dermatomes

Answer 1

Question 2

Indicates hip abductor weakness

Answer 2

Trendelenburg Sign

Question 3

Test for sciatic tension

Answer 3

Seated Straight Leg Raise
(Flip Sign)

Question 4

Test for lumbar nerve root irritation or compression

Answer 4

Supine Straight Leg Raise
(Popliteal Compression Test)

Question 5

Test for SI Joint pathology

Answer 5

FABER or Patrick Test

Question 6

Abnormal test that produces fanning of the toes which indicates spinal cord involvement

Answer 6

Babinski Sign

Question 7

Dorsiflexion of the ankle and looking for “beats”

Answer 7

Ankle Clonus

Question 8

Signs to determine whether a patient is faking or not.

Answer 8

Waddell Signs

Question 9

Rotate and laterally flex the head to try and reproduce radicular symptoms.

Answer 9

Spurling Test

Question 10

Flicking of the long fingernail and look for index finger and thumb flexion. Indicates pressure in the cervical spine.

Answer 10

Hoffmann Reflex

Question 11

Non-radicular neck and shoulder pain that occurs suddenly or from trauma due to a LIGAMENTOUS INJURY.
Flexion + Extension Injury

Answer 11

Acute Cervical Sprain
(Whiplash)

Question 12

Symptoms of Acute Cervical Strain

Answer 12

HEADACHE
Pain anywhere from occiput to cervico-thoracic junction that is worse with motion
- may have spasm or trapezial pain

Question 13

X-Ray findings of Acute Cervical Strain

• AP
• Lat
• Odontoid
• Flexion + Extension

Answer 13

Loss of Cervical Lordosis
(most of the time the X-Ray is normal)

Question 14

Acute Cervical Strain Treatment

Answer 14

Soft Collar (1 - 2 weeks)
NSAIDs
Heat + Ice
Physical Therapy

Question 15

Symptoms of Cervical Fractures

Answer 15

Point Tenderness
Pain with Motion
Radiculopathy
Gait Disturbance
Weakness
Loss of Bowel or Bladder Control

Question 16

Cervical Fractures Exam

Answer 16

Immobilized
“Step Off” may be present
Rectal Sphincter Function

Question 17

Vertebral Fracture with posterior cortex involvement with retropulsion into the spinal cord canal

Answer 17

Burst Fracture

Question 18

C7 Spinous Process Fracture

Answer 18

Clay Shoveler’s Fracture

Question 19

Facet Subluxation or Dislocation usually has what type of involvement?

Answer 19

Neurological Involvement

Question 20

Traumatic fracture of C2

Answer 20

Hangman’s Fracture

Question 21

C1 burst fracture due to axial loading injury.
(Dive into shallow water)

Answer 21

Jefferson’s Fracture

Question 22

Fracture of the Dens of C2

Answer 22

Odontoid Fracture

Question 23

Referred neurogenic pain in the distribution of a cervical nerve root, with or without associated numbness, weakness, or loss of reflexes.

• Acute Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (Young)
• Foraminal narrowing from DDD or arthritis
  (Elderly)

Answer 23

Cervical Radiculopathy

Question 24

Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy

Answer 24

Usually Unilateral Arm Pain
Loss of Fine Motor Skills
Loss of Bowel or Bladder Function
Headaches
Neck + Shoulder Pain

Question 25

Preferred type of spinal imaging for someone who can't have an MRI.

Answer 25

CT Myelogram

Question 26

Cervical Radiculoapthy Treatment

Answer 26

NSAIDs PT Referral if Neuro Deficits

Question 27

Two Common Names for Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

Answer 27

1. Cervical Arthritis 2. Cervical Spondylosis

Question 28

Symptoms of Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

Answer 28

Bilateral (usually) Chronic Neck Pain that is worse when Upright Popping Grinding Headache

Question 29

X-Ray Findings of Cervical DDD

Answer 29

Osteophytes (bone spurs) Sublaxation Listhesis (slippage)

Question 30

Cervical DDD Treatment

Answer 30

NSAIDs PT Surgery (very unlikely)