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Case Discussion: Neck Pain with N&T in L Forearm

6/3/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture
Subjective

I recently presented an interesting case to my fellowship class. On 4/3/15 the patient presented to my PT clinic with L medial scapular border and L cervical pain with N&T along radial border of L forearm. The patient was a 45 year old female. The symptoms were intermittent symptoms and began 4 months prior with insidious onset. Symptoms were increased by sleeping, prolonged sitting, and having her L arm unsupported. Symptoms were improved with arm support and being active. Pain intensity was described as dull and was 2/10 at the time of the evaluation on NPRS and 6/10 at its worst. Patient denied any N&V, fever, significant changes in weight in last 6 months, B&B problems, and S&S of cauda equina syndrome. Patient’s job requires prolonged sitting at a computer, with turning her head to the L frequently. Patient also has to fly across the country every week for work. Patient denied any significant PMHx, past surgical history, and taking any medications.

Objective

Postural Assessment: Forward head posture. Rounded shoulders with bilat scapula depressed and downwardly rotated L>R. Excessive kyphosis at CT junction.
                          
Active Range of Motion:
    -Cervical spine
: Cervical Flexion/Extension/bilat Rotation DP (Dysfunctional Painful)
    -Cervical Retraction with SB DP to L
    -
Thoracic spine: Rotation DN (Dysfunctional Non-Painful) to L
    -
Right UE: Flex/Abd/ER FN (Functional Non-Painful), Ext/Add/IR DP
    -
Left UE: Flex/Abd/ER DN, Ext/Add/IR DP
    -Elbow and Hand: WNL


Passive Range of Motion:
    -Cervical Spine:
Cervical Flex/Ext/L Rotation DP
    -Cervical Rotation R FN
    -
Thoracic Spine: Rotation DN to L.

Joint Mobility: Hypomobility with left sideglides throughout cervical spine; Hypomobility with PA assessment of T1-T3; Hypomobility with PA assessment from T6-T8.

MMT:
    -Shoulder Flex/Ext/Abd/ER/IR: 5/5 bilat
    -SA 3-/5 on L and 4-/5 on R
    -MT ⅘ bilat
    -LT ⅗ on L and 3+/5 on R
    -Rhomboids 4-/5 on L and ⅘ on R


Neurovascular screening: Vascular deferred (not applicable). Neuromuscular: Decreased sensation along L radial forearm and lateral 3 fingers.

Special Testing:
    (+) Neck Flexor Muscle Endurance Test
    (+) ULNT (Median)
    (+) ULNT (Ulnar)
    (+) Spurling’s Compression Test
    (-) ULNT (Radial)

    (+) Cervical Distraction Test

Cervical Radiculopathy Cluster:

    (+) ULNT (Median on L)
    (+) Spurling's Compression Test on L
    (+) Cervical Distraction Test
    (+) <60 deg Rotation to L

4/4 = +LR 30.3

Treatment Day 1


My primary focus for the treatment was to educate the patient on proper posture and regular performance of repeated motions. Her symptoms centralized with repeated cervical retraction with SB to the L, so this was prescribed 10reps/hour. Manual treatment included: Supine Thoracic Manipulation: Grade V to T2 and T6, IASTM to L volar forearm and L UT/scalenes/SO and manual median/ulnar nerve glides 20x3 on L. Exercise included: Upper Extremity Ergometer: x4 minutes (2 forward, 2 backward); Lvl 1, Wall Shrugs: 10” x10, Wall Push Up Plus: 2x10, Supine Chin Tuck: 10” x10, Prone ITY: 10” x10 bilat and Quad Rock Back: 2x10.

Treatment Day 2 (1 week later)


The patient reported she performed her exercises, but was not compliant with the prescribed frequency. She stated that she was sleeping better than she had in months. Pain was rated 1/10 at the time of this session and 3/10 at its worst in the last week. The patient continued to have a directional preference of cervical retraction with L SB, so she was instructed to continue with this for her HEP. Manual treatment included: Prone grade III PA mobs to T2-8, Seated CT Junction Distraction Manipulation Grade V, Grade III OscillatoryUpglides to C6-C7 on R followed by MET for flexion 6sec x3, Grade III Flexion mob to OA joint bilat, IASTM to L volar forearm and L UT/scalenes/SO. Exercise included: Upper Extremity Ergometer: x4 minutes (2 forward, 2 backward); Lvl 1, Wall Shrugs: 10” x10, Wall Push Up Plus: 2x10, Supine Chin Tuck: 10” x10, Prone ITY: 10” x10 bilat, Quad Rock Back: 2x10, Prone CT Retraction Isometric: 10” x10, Scaption with Protraction: 2x10, and Supine Chin Tuck with Rotation: 2x10.

Treatment Day 3 (2 weeks later)


The patient reported she rarely did her exercises over the last 2 weeks, so her symptoms have increased, but a bad day includes pain at its worst 3/10 on NPRS. The patient was educated again on the importance of compliance with HEP in order to decrease her symptoms. The patient continued to have a directional preference of cervical retraction with L SB, so she was instructed to continue with her HEP. Additiionally, upon reviewing the technique of cervical retraction with SB, the patient was not getting to end-range, so this was corrected. Manual treatment included:
IASTM to L median nerve distribution, Grade III oscillatory upglides to R C6-7 followed by MET for flexion on R C6-7, Grade III distraction mob to R OA, Inf grade III mob to L C6-7 followed by MET 6sec x3, Seated grade V distraction manipulation to CT. Exercise included: Upper Extremity Ergometer: x4 minutes (2 forward, 2 backward); Lvl 1, Wall Shrugs: 10” x10, Wall Push Up Plus: 2x10, Supine Chin Tuck: 10” x10, Prone ITY: 10” x10 bilat, Quad Rock Back: 2x10, Prone CT Retraction Isometric: 10” x10, Scaption with Protraction: 2x10, Supine Chin Tuck with Rotation: 2x10, Lumbar Locked Low Trap Isometric: 10” x10, Quadruped Cervical Rotation with Chin Tuck: 10x bilat, and Quad Rock Back with Thoracic Kyphosis: 10x.

Picture
Treatment Day 4 (1 weeks later)

The patient reported that she no longer had any pain and only developed some mild N&T in her forearm when she would sit with poor posture for prolonged periods. Manual treatment included: IASTM to L volar forearm, Grade III upglides to L C6-7 with L UE in median nerve tensioned position (no symptoms after) followed by MET and grade III upglides for flexion on R C6-7, manual median nerve glides on L 20x3. Exercise included: Upper Extremity Ergometer: x4 minutes (2 forward, 2 backward); Lvl 1, Wall Shrugs: 10” x10, Wall Push Up Plus: 2x10, Supine Chin Tuck: 10” x10, Prone ITY: 10” x10 bilat, Quad Rock Back: 2x10, Prone CT Retraction Isometric: 10” x10, Scaption with Protraction: 2x10, Supine Chin Tuck with Rotation: 2x10, Lumbar Locked Low Trap Isometric: 10” x10, Quadruped Cervical Rotation with Chin Tuck: 10x bilat, and Quad Rock Back with Thoracic Kyphosis: 10x. the patient's HEP was progressed to include some of these exercises including continuing with her repeated motions HEP when symptomatic and how to progress to retractions. With the patient's work involving prolonged sitting, she is at risk for developing these symptoms again, so she will likely have to continue with her HEP. The patient was discharged to indept management.

Conclusion


Overall, this case was not too complicated. With the patient's intermittent symptoms, there was a high likelihood of her responding to repeated motions. The toughest part, as usual, was patient compliance. Both frequency in exercises and proper technique are often where the deficits occurs. The patient had to be re-educated on proper form and truly getting to end-range. When communication is intact, repeated motions can make treatment significantly easier for certain populations.

-Chris
2 Comments
Lee
6/6/2015 08:24:36 am

Good work, man!

What HEP was assigned? If it includes all of the exercises from day 1 (including ergometer), wouldn't that be 9 separate exercises? Was there a reason given for non-compliance with HEP?

Thank you!

Reply
Chris link
6/6/2015 04:56:47 pm

Thanks, Lee. The only HEP assigned throughout the case was repeated cervical retraction with SB to the L side. At discharge, the remaining exercises (minus UBE) were given as well. Non-compliance was due to being lazy..as is typical haha.

Reply



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  • Home
  • About Us
  • Insider Access
    • About Insider Access
  • Online Courses
    • Hooper's Knee
    • Physical Therapist Entrepreneur Course
    • Physical Therapist Consultant Course
    • Orthopedic Management of the Cervical Spine
    • Return to Sport Essentials Course
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Business Minded Sports Physio Podcast
    • Day in the Life of a Sports PT
    • Residency Corner
    • Special Tests >
      • Cervical Spine >
        • Alar Ligament Test
        • Bakody's Sign
        • Cervical Distraction Test
        • Cervical Rotation Lateral Flexion Test
        • Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT)
        • Deep Neck Flexor Endurance Test
        • Posterior-Anterior Segmental Mobility
        • Segmental Mobility
        • Sharp-Purser Test
        • Spurling's Maneuver
        • Transverse Ligament Test
        • ULNT - Median
        • ULNT - Radial
        • ULNT - Ulnar
        • Vertebral Artery Test
      • Thoracic Spine >
        • Adam's Forward Bend Test
        • Passive Neck Flexion Test
        • Thoracic Compression Test
        • Thoracic Distraction Test
        • Thoracic Foraminal Closure Test
      • Lumbar Spine/Sacroiliac Joint >
        • Active Sit-Up Test
        • Alternate Gillet Test
        • Crossed Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Extensor Endurance Test
        • FABER Test
        • Fortin's Sign
        • Gaenslen Test
        • Gillet Test
        • Gower's Sign
        • Lumbar Quadrant Test
        • POSH Test
        • Posteroanterior Mobility
        • Prone Knee Bend Test
        • Prone Instability Test
        • Resisted Abduction Test
        • Sacral Clearing Test
        • Seated Forward Flexion Test
        • SIJ Compression/Distraction Test
        • Slump Test
        • Sphinx Test
        • Spine Rotators & Multifidus Test
        • Squish Test
        • Standing Forward Flexion Test
        • Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Supine to Long Sit Test
      • Shoulder >
        • Active Compression Test
        • Anterior Apprehension
        • Biceps Load Test II
        • Drop Arm Sign
        • External Rotation Lag Sign
        • Hawkins-Kennedy Impingement Sign
        • Horizontal Adduction Test
        • Internal Rotation Lag Sign
        • Jobe Test
        • Ludington's Test
        • Neer Test
        • Painful Arc Sign
        • Pronated Load Test
        • Resisted Supination External Rotation Test
        • Speed's Test
        • Posterior Apprehension
        • Sulcus Sign
        • Thoracic Outlet Tests >
          • Adson's Test
          • Costoclavicular Brace
          • Hyperabduction Test
          • Roos (EAST)
        • Yergason's Test
      • Elbow >
        • Biceps Squeeze Test
        • Chair Sign
        • Cozen's Test
        • Elbow Extension Test
        • Medial Epicondylalgia Test
        • Mill's Test
        • Moving Valgus Stress Test
        • Push-up Sign
        • Ulnar Nerve Compression Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Wrist/Hand >
        • Allen's Test
        • Carpal Compression Test
        • Finkelstein Test
        • Phalen's Test
        • Reverse Phalen's Test
      • Hip >
        • Craig's Test
        • Dial Test
        • FABER Test
        • FAIR Test
        • Fitzgerald's Test
        • Hip Quadrant Test
        • Hop Test
        • Labral Anterior Impingement Test
        • Labral Posterior Impingement Test
        • Long-Axis Femoral Distraction Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Percussion Test
        • Sign of the Buttock
        • Trendelenburg Test
      • Knee >
        • Anterior Drawer Test
        • Dial Test (Tibial Rotation Test)
        • Joint Line Tenderness
        • Lachman Test
        • McMurray Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Pivot-Shift Test
        • Posterior Drawer Test
        • Posterior Sag Sign
        • Quad Active Test
        • Thessaly Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Foot/Ankle >
        • Anterior Drawer
        • Calf Squeeze Test
        • External Rotation Test
        • Fracture Screening Tests
        • Impingement Sign
        • Navicular Drop Test
        • Squeeze Test
        • Talar Tilt
        • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Test
        • Test for Interdigital Neuroma
        • Windlass Test