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The Spinal Exam

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Examination of the back is performed to identify and localise pathology affecting the vertebrae and soft tissues associated with the spine. Particular conditions of interest include radiculopathy, past spinal surgery and ankylosing spondylitis.

On this page: Look Feel Move - Cervical Move - Thoracic & Lumbar Special Tests

Look

Feel

Move - Cervical

Move - Thoracic & Lumbar

Special Tests

References

Chakraverty R, Pynsent P, Isaacs K. Which spinal levels are identified by palpation of the iliac crests and the posterior superior iliac spines? J Anat. 2007;210:232-236. Christodoulides AN. Ipsilateral sciatica on femoral nerve stretch test is pathognomonic of an L4/5 disc protrusion. The Journal of bone and joint surgery.British volume. 1989;71:88. Devereaux MW. Anatomy and Examination of the Spine. Neurol Clin. 2007; 25: 331-351. Dreischarf M, Albiol L, Rohlmann A, et al. Age-related loss of lumbar spinal lordosis and mobility--a study of 323 asymptomatic volunteers. PloS one. 2014;9:e116186. Epstein NL. Benztropine for Acute Muscle Spasm in the Emergency Department. CMAJ. 2001 Jan; 164(2): 203-204. Fon GT, Pitt MJ, Thies AC, Jr. Thoracic kyphosis: range in normal subjects. American Journal of Roentgenology 1980; 134 (5): 979–983. Glasziou PP, Purdie J, Yelland MJ. The Interobserver Reliability of the Thoracic Spinal Examination. Australiasian Musculoskeletal Medicine. 2002 May; 7(1): 16-22.

Ibrahim SI, Lo S, Tay SY. Loss of Cervical Lordosis and Foreign Body Ingestion. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2011;145:P152-P152.

Katzman WB, Wanek L, Shepherd JA, Sellmeyer DE. Age-related hyperkyphosis: its causes, consequences, and management. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2010;40:352.

Kim H, Scheer J, Lafage V, et al. Cervical Lordosis Increases with Age in Adult Spinal Deformity: A Cross-Sectional Study of Nonoperative Patients. Global Spine Journal. 2015;5.

Kim HJ, Lenke LG, Oshima Y, et al. Cervical Lordosis Actually Increases With Aging and Progressive Degeneration in Spinal Deformity Patients. Spine Deformity. 2014;2:410-414.

Kostuik JP. Flat back deformity with loss of lumbar lordosis. Current Opinion in Orthopaedics. 1998;9:25-38.

Ohry A. Dr Jacob Mackiewicz (1887-1966) and his sign. J Med Biogr. 2007;15:102. Perriman DM, Scarvell JM, Hughes AR, Lueck CJ, Dear KBG, Smith PN. Thoracic Hyperkyphosis: A Survey of Australian Physiotherapists. Physiotherapy Research International. 2012;17:167-178. Pool JJ, Hoving JL, De Vet HC, Van Mameren H, Bouter LM. The interexaminer reproducibility of physical examination of the cervical spine. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2004 Feb; 27(2): 84-90. Sparrey CJ, Bailey JF, Safaee M, et al. Etiology of lumbar lordosis and its pathophysiology: a review of the evolution of lumbar lordosis, and the mechanics and biology of lumbar degeneration. Neurosurgical focus. 2014;36:E1.

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