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Segmental Mobility

Purpose: To assess the motion at each cervical segment and the effect on the patient’s symptoms.

Test position: Supine.

Performing the Test: Occipitoatlantal Joint: Place both hands behind the patient’s head and rotate to the side 30 degrees. Flex and extend the head only (not the cervical joints below C1!). Repeat on the opposite side. Atlantoaxial Joint: Place both hands behind the patient’s head and flex the cervical spine maximally. Rotate the head each direction. C2-C7: Contact the articular pillar of the tested segment using the radial border of the index finger's proximal phalanx on each side. Cradle the skull using the 4th and 5th digits on each side. Flex the cervical spine maximally below the tested segment and side glide in each direction. Repeat with vertebra below tested segment in extension (the vertebrae below the test segment are flexed or extended maximally to maximally stress the capsule and joints in that direction, so that motion in other directions is limited and cannot influence the motion at the tested segment. For all of these mobility tests, compare side to side the amount of motion achieved and the pain response.

Diagnostic Accuracy: Unknown.

Importance of Test: An increase or decrease in motion in part of a segment can place additional stress on tissues that results in pain or other symptoms. This test can be used to determine how much motion is available at each segment. If a joint is restricted throughout or just unilaterally, that can aid in determining the pathology and treatment plan. By fully flexing and extending the vertebrae below, a more accurate assessment of the segmental mobility of the tested segment can be determined, because the vertebrae below are limited in motion due to full engagement of the capsule. Motion achieved during the test can be attributed mainly to the tested segment. The reason for testing in both extension and flexion is because there are potentially different restrictions in each direction that can influence movement. A thorough understanding of the spine’s osteology, arthrology, and arthrokinematics can help in understanding the results of your segmental testing. For example, in the fully flexed cervical spine, if a vertebra appears rotated to the left, that means there is a capsular restriction on that left facet. In a fully extended cervical spine, if the vertebra appears rotated to the left, that means there is a capsular restriction on the right facet.

Note: tests should only be performed by a properly trained health care practitioner.
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Copyright © The Student Physical Therapist LLC 2023
  • Home
  • About Us
  • TSPT Academy
  • 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
  • I want Financial Freedom
  • I want Professional Growth
  • I want Clinical Mastery