Accuracy of Motion Palpation Flexion-Extension Test in Identifying the Seventh Cervical Spinal Process

Póvoa, Luciana C.; Ferreira, Ana Paula Antunes; Zanier, José Fernando C.; Silva, Julio G.

doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2017.11.005

Cited by 14 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 15 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This approach was chosen because marking C7 and the PSIS is recommended in cases where the VP and DM are not clearly identifiable on the surface of the participant’s back. In order to standardize the measuring procedure and to render the results as comparable to each other as possible, the marking of C7 and the PSIS was determined a priori for all the participants, even though this technique was definitely more prone to palpation bias [ 42 , 43 ]. Furthermore, only participants with a BMI of ≤30.0 kg/m 2 were included in the study due to data capture requirements.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reference Values for 3D Spinal Posture Based on Videorasterstereographic Analyses of Healthy Adults

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Visual examinations are commonly used to analyze spinal posture. Even though they are simple and fast, their interrater reliability is poor. Suitable alternatives should be objective, non-invasive, valid and reliable. Videorasterstereography (VRS) is a corresponding method that is increasingly becoming established. However, there is a lack of reference data based on adequate numbers of participants and structured subgroup analyses according to sex and age. We used VRS to capture the spinal posture of 201 healthy participants (aged 18–70 years) divided into three age cohorts. Three-dimensional reference data are presented for the global spine parameters and for every vertebral body individually (C7-L4) (here called the specific spine parameters). The vertebral column was found to be systematically asymmetric in the transverse and the coronal planes. Graphical presentations of the vertebral body posture revealed systematic differences between the subgroups; however, large standard deviations meant that these differences were not significant. In contrast, several global parameters (e.g., thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis) indicated differences between the analyzed subgroups. The findings confirm the importance of presenting reference data not only according to sex but also according to age in order to map physiological posture changes over the life span. The question also arises as to whether therapeutic approximations to an almost symmetrical spine are biomechanically desirable.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reference Values for 3D Spinal Posture Based on Videorasterstereographic Analyses of Healthy Adults

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…After completing the NDI questionnaire, participants were asked to sit with a straight back on a workout bench. Two of the three measurement locations [the spinous processes of C2 (high-cervical) and C7 (low-cervical)] were manually identified by two experienced manual therapists, with the spinous process of C2 being the most cranial one that can clearly be palpated and using the flexion-extension test to locate C7 ( Povoa et al, 2018 ). C2 and C7 were marked with ink to label the location for spinal stiffness assessment and the marking was verified by both therapists to increase accuracy.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Axial Load and a 45-Degree Flexion Head Position on Cervical Spinal Stiffness in Healthy Young Adults

Hofstetter¹,

Häusler²,

Schweinhardt³

et al. 2021

Front. Physiol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Neck pain is a major cause of disability worldwide. Poor neck posture such as using a smartphone or work-related additional cervical axial load, such headgear of aviators, can cause neck pain. This study aimed at investigating the role of head posture or additional axial load on spinal stiffness, a proxy measure to assess cervical motor control.Methods: The posterior-to-anterior cervical spinal stiffness of 49 young healthy male military employees [mean (SD) age 20 ± 1 years] was measured in two head positions: neutral and 45-degree flexed head position and two loading conditions: with and without additional 3 kg axial load. Each test condition comprised three trials. Measurements were taken at three cervical locations, i.e., spinous processes C2 and C7 and mid-cervical (MC).Results: Cervical spinal stiffness measurements showed good reliability in all test conditions. There was a significant three-way interaction between location × head position × load [F(2, 576) = 9.305, p < 0.001]. Significant two-way interactions were found between measurement locations × loading [F(2, 576) = 15.688, p < 0.001] and measurement locations × head position [F(2, 576) = 9.263, p < 0.001]. There was no significant interaction between loading × head position [F(1, 576) = 0.692, p = 0.406]. Post hoc analysis showed reduction of stiffness in all three measurement locations in flexion position. There was a decrease in stiffness in C2 with loading, increase in stiffness in C7 and no change in MC.Discussion: A flexed head posture leading to decreased stiffness of the cervical spine might contribute to neck pain, especially if the posture is prolonged and static, such as is the case with smartphone users. Regarding the additional load, stiffness decreased high cervical and increased low cervical. There was no change mid cervical. The lower spinal stiffness at the high cervical spine might be caused by capsular ligament laxity due to the buckling effect. At the lower cervical spine, the buckling effect seems to be less dominant, because the proximity to the ribs and sternum provide additional stiffness.

show abstract

“…If necessary, the test was repeated at different levels until the first stationary vertebra was detected. 20 The pysician marked C7 spinous process with a dermographic pencil and continued down counting spinous process prominences until detecting and marking T12 and L3 spinous processes. Thoracic reference point was the most prominent spinous process in the thoracic spine (the one nearest to the thread) (Fig.…”

Section: [H2] Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spinal Coronal and Sagittal Balance in 584 Healthy Individuals During Growth: Normal Plumb Line Values and Their Correlation With Radiographic Measurements

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Plumb line distances (PDs) are widely used in conservative clinical practice to evaluate the sagittal shape of the spine. Objective The objective was to assess the normative values of PDs in a large, healthy population in an age range representative of the adolescent population with spinal deformities, and to correlate it with x-ray measurements. Design This was a cross-sectional study. Methods Participants were 584 healthy individuals (341 females) with x-rays showing no spine deformities. The whole sample (OVERALL) was divided into 5 groups: 6 to 9 years old (n = 106); >10 years, Risser 0 with triradiate cartilage open (n = 129) or closed (n = 104); Risser 1 to 2 (n = 126); and Risser 3 to 5 (n = 119). PDs were taken by maintaining a tangent to the thoracic kyphosis apex at C7, T12, L3, and S2. Sagittal index (C7 + L3), and sagittal and coronal balances (C7 related to S2) were calculated. Results In OVERALL, PDs at C7, T12, L3, and S2 were 39.9 ± 16.7, 21.4 ± 15.3, 39.9 ± 15, 20.6 ± 17.0 mm, respectively. Sagittal index was 79.8 ± 26.8, sagittal balance was 19.3 ± 17 mm anterior to S2 plumb line; 13.5% had a coronal imbalance of 11.4 ± 5.4 mm to the right and 24.7% of 13.2 ± 6.0 mm to the left. C7 and L3 PDs, sagittal index, and sagittal balance were significantly lower in ages 6 to 9 compared to older patients in Risser 1 to 2 group. C7 and S2 PDs and sagittal index were significantly larger in males. Sagittal index correlated with thoracic kyphosis Cobb degrees (r = 0.47). Limitations The participants were not randomly chosen from the general population; and they had an x-ray because of spine pathology suspicion. Conclusions This study shows normative data to be used in clinical practice. Sagittal spinopelvic alignment has gained more and more importance in the last decades because of its high correlation to Health-Related Quality of Life scores in adults. 1

show abstract

Accuracy of Motion Palpation Flexion-Extension Test in Identifying the Seventh Cervical Spinal Process

Abstract: The localization of the C7 spinous process was more accurate in individuals with a BMI <25 kg/m and whose most prominent vertebra coincided with the stationary vertebra as determined by the flexion-extension test.

Cited by 14 publications

References 15 publications

Reference Values for 3D Spinal Posture Based on Videorasterstereographic Analyses of Healthy Adults

Reference Values for 3D Spinal Posture Based on Videorasterstereographic Analyses of Healthy Adults

Influence of Axial Load and a 45-Degree Flexion Head Position on Cervical Spinal Stiffness in Healthy Young Adults

Spinal Coronal and Sagittal Balance in 584 Healthy Individuals During Growth: Normal Plumb Line Values and Their Correlation With Radiographic Measurements

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About