movement
Last reviewed 01/2018
- ask the patient to flex and extend head; a spatula held in the mouth acts as a pointer to enable the range of movement to be measured by goniometer: normal range is 130 degrees. The occipito-atlantoid joint is primarily involved.
- lateral flexion: ask the patient to tilt his head laterally from a neutral position; normal range is 45 degrees. Whole of cervical spine involved.
- rotation: ask the patient to look over his shoulder - normal range is 80 degrees to either side. Rotation is a function of the atlanto-axial joint.
- palpate the radial pulse and then apply traction to the arm; cessation of pulsation is suggestive of a cervical rib.