Cervical and Lumbar Spine Assessment

Course Description

Does your patient present with persistent neurogenic arm or leg pain?

Not sure who you should refer for a surgical consult or injection and who will benefit with conservative treatment?

This online physiotherapy course will provide you with a basic understanding of conducting a neurological assessment to rule out radiculopathy and myelopathy. Participants will be guided by a clinical expert through the different components of a neurological assessment that can assist providers to become more confident and proficient when encountering this patient population. 

Radiculopathy vs. Myelopathy

Oftentimes, it may be confusing to distinguish between radiculopathy and myelopathy as they both exhibit similar symptoms. However, it is important to understand the clear distinction between these two conditions.

Radiculopathy, frequently called a pinched nerve, occurs when a nerve root or nerve becomes compressed or irritated. Although the location of the cause is often at the nerve root, pain and other symptoms may radiate down the nerve to other parts of the body. For example, with cervical radiculopathy, the nerve root may be compressed in the upper C-spine but the symptoms present themselves in the shoulder or arm. Radiculopathy can be triggered when a nerve root or nerve is compressed, receiving decreased blood flow or damaged as a result of disease. 

Myelopathy occurs when the spinal cord is compressed often as a result of trauma, spinal stenosis, degenerative disease or disc herniation. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the bony passageway through which the spinal cord passes through. Some early signs of cervical myelopathy may include clumsy hands and a decrease in fine motor skill ability. The main difference between these two conditions is that radiculopathy involves compression or injury to the nerve root, whereas myelopathy is compression of the spinal cord. Both of these conditions may present with pain, tingling, weakness and numbness in the arms and legs.

Objectives

In this course, Dr. Aleksa Cenic will guide you to:

• Learn the differential diagnoses of neurogenic pain in the cervical and lumbar regions
• Learn to assess the neurological system and know what to look for in your examination 
• Learn specific maneuvers to test for nerve impingement 

Outline

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Perform a cervical and lumbar myotome strength test 
2. Perform a cervical and lumbar dermatome sensation test 
3. Conduct an upper body reflexes test
4. Assess the range of motion in the cervical spine  
5. Perform special tests to distinguish between myelopathy and radiculopathy in the cervical and lumbar region 

Target Audience 

This online physiotherapy course is designed for physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, naturopathic doctors, athletic therapists, medical doctors, nurses, kinesiologists and those who are licensed or who are eligible to be licensed to practice. This is also a great continuing education course for students or new grads looking to keep on top of their neuro assessment skills.