Red Flag Testing
Perform the Vertebral Artery/ Cervical Quadrant Test
Purpose: to assess for insufficiencies of the vertebral artery.
Positive: dizziness, nystagmus, light headedness, slurred speech, or tinnitus.
Clinical: something is blocking the flow of the contralateral vertebral artery.
Explain the purpose of a Myotome and Dermatome Test.
Myotome: to test a group of muscles that are innervated by a specific spinal nerve.
Dermatome: to test an area of skin innervated by a single nerve root.
Perform the Well Leg Raise Test
Purpose: to assess for a medial space occupying lesion of the lumbosacral nerve roots.
Positive: sharp shooting pain down the opposite leg being tested.
Clinical: space occupying lesion medial to the nerve root on the opposite side being tested
State what movements are being tested for myotome C3, C5, C7, T1, L3, L5, S2
C3- cervical lateral flexion
C5- shoulder abduction
C7- Elbow extension and wrist flexion
T1- Finger spreading and squeezing
L3- Knee extension
L5- Big toe extension
S2- Knee flexion
Perform Lasegue's Test/ Straight Leg Test and Explain the differences between Soto Hall Test and Braggards Test.
Purpose: to assess for a space occupying lesion of the lumbosacral nerve roots or sciatic nerve.
Positive: sharp shooting pain through 30-70 degrees of hip flexion.
Clinical: Local-spinal cord injury/ Radiating-nerve root injury or herniated disc)
State the area of skin being tested for each dermatome: C2, C4, C6, C8, T2, L2, L4, S1, S3
C2- temple, forehead, occiput
C4- shoulder, clavicle, upper scapula
C6- lateral arm, radial side of arm, thumb and index fingers
C8- medial elbow to middle, ring, and pinky fingers
T2- proximal medial elbow, axilla, pectoral area
L2- back, anterior thigh, knee
L4- medial glute, lateral thigh, medial knee, dorsum or big toe.
S1- posterior thigh (under glute), posterior leg, lateral half of sole.
S3- posteromedial thigh to popliteal fossa.
Perform Lhermitte's Test
Purpose: to assess for an upper motor neuron lesion/ brain lesion.
Positive: Sharp shooting pain along spinal cord or limbs.
Clinical: Upper motor neuron lesion or brain lesion.
Perform Slump Test
Purpose: to assess for a space occupying lesion or a Herniated Disc.
Positive: sharp shooting pain or relief of pain with neck extension.
Clinical: Space occupying lesion possibly caused by a herniated disc.