Test: Cervical Distraction

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Background/Purpose

The distraction test is used for patients who have complained of racticular symptoms in the history and show radicular signs during the examination. It is used to alleviate symptoms.

Procedure

Patient is seated comfortably with the spine erect and the head and neck in neutral position. Doctor cups the patient’s mandible and occiput with hands & then the examiner lifts the patient’s head. A positive finding is the relief of the patient’s localized or radicular pain. The sign is confirmed if the symptoms return when the weight of the head is returned to the neck.
Performed: Bilaterally

Dialog

Assessment for cervical nerve root compression, intervertebral foraminal entrapment & facet capsulitis

Criteria

• Positive when the symptoms return when the weight of the head is returned back to neck

Measurement

0.00

LOINC Code

0

Scale/Grading

Pass/Fail