Orthopedic Tests Flashcards
Rust’s Sign
Patient spontaneously grasps the head with both hands when lying down or when rising from a recumbent position
+ Rust’s sign
Indicates:
- Severe sprain
- RA
- Fracture
- Severe cervical subluxation
When Rust’s sign is present, this indicates a severe ___________ instability
Upper cervical
Libman’s Sign
Examiner applies thumb pressure to the mastoid process and gradually increases the pressure until the patient states that it is becoming noticeably uncomfortable
+ Libman’s Sign
Patient is exhibiting an unusually low or high threshold for pain
Bakody Sign
Patient will be in a seated position and will place the hand of the affected extremity on top of their head, raising the elbow to the level of the ear
+ Bakody Sign
Patient has nerve root irritation (position tractions the brachial plexus which reduces irritation) that is diminished by this posture/sign
+ Reverse Bakody Sign. What does this indicate?
Pain is exacerbated
-Thoracic Outlet Syndrome from interscalene pressure
Negative Bakody Sign. What does this indicate?
No change in pain
-DDX nerve root encroachment from a thoracic outlet syndrome
Bikele’s Sign
Patient is asked to abduct their shoulder to 90 degrees and then the elbow is put into full extension
+ Bikele’s Sign
The patients pain will be radicular and extend into the arm (from tractioning of the brachial plexus)
Brachial Plexus Tension Test
Patient is asked to abduct both shoulder to 0- degree and place the hands behind the head. Doctor then pulls the elbows back
+ Brachial Plexus Tension Test
Pain radiates into the patients arm
Any functional disturbance and/or pathological change in the spinal cord; often used to denote nonspecific lesions
Myelopathy
Cervical orthopedic tests for dural irritation
- Brachial plexus tension
- Lhermitte sign
- Shoulder depression test
- Kernig-Brudzinski
- Soto-Hall
Characteristic fever, headache, stiff neck (nuchal rigidity), febrile sign
Meningitis
Febrile sign
During passive flexion on the neck, the knees will automatically bend
Cervical orthopedic tests for meningitis
- Kernig-Brudzinski
- Bikele
- Brachial plexus tension
- Soto-Hall
Best methods for identifying myelopathy
- Hoffman’s
- DTR in the UE
- Inverted supinator reflex
- Suprapatellar quadriceps reflex
- Hand withdrawl reflex
- Babinski sign
- Clonus of the ankle
Lhermitte’s Test
With the patient seated, the doctor instructs the him/her to drop their chin to their chest. The doctor then passively flexes the patient head
+Lhermitte’s Test
Patient experiences shock like sensations radiating down the neck and spine
+Lhermitte’s sign indicates what 2 possible pathologies?
- Posterior Column Disease
- MS
If a patient has MS, where on their body are they most likely to test + for Lhermittes?
Back of the neck, lower back, and other parts of the body.
What is thought to cause MS patients to test + for Lhermitte’s sign?
Hypersensitivity of demyelinated cervical sensory axons to stretching