Thoracic Spine Special Test Flashcards
Rib Spring Test
PURPOSE- Evaluates rib mobility
DESCRIPTION- The patient lies prone or on the side while the examiner’s hands are placed around the posterolateral aspect of the rib cage. The examiner’s hands are approximately 45° to the vertical axis of the patient’s body. The examination begins at the top of the rib cage and extends inferiorly, springing the ribs by pushing in with the hands on each side in turn and then quickly releasing.
RESULT- Positive finding is pain, excessive motion of rib or restriction
Thoracic Spring Test
PURPOSE- Evaluates Intervertebral joint mobility in thoracic spine
DESCRIPTION- Patient prone. Apply posterior/anterior/springs to transverse processes of thoracic vertebra.
RESULT- Positive finding is pain, excessive motion of rib or restriction
Slump Test
PURPOSE- Identifies dysfunction of neurological structures supplying lower limb
DESCRIPTION- The patient sits on the examining table and is asked to “slump” so that the spine flexes and the shoulders sag forward while the examiner holds the chin and head erect. If no symptoms, are produced, the examiner flexes the patient’s neck and holds the head down and shoulders slumped to see if symptoms are produced. If no symptoms are produced, the examiner passively extends one of the patient’s knees to see if symptoms are produced.
If no symptoms are produced, the examiner then passively dorsiflexes the foot of the same leg to see if symptoms are produced.
RESULT- Reproduction of the patient’s symptoms, implicating impingement of the dura and spinal cord or nerve roots
