User:Jmayar3/Foraminal Distraction Test

Foraminal Distraction Test

Purpose

To determine if the patient has a nerve root impingement or compression

Procedure

The patient is seated directly in front of the examiner seated on a stool or chair. The examiner/clinician is positioned standing directly behind the patient who is seated. The Clinician places one hand under the patients mental area (chin) and the other one around the occiput on the back of the head. While distracting the patients head, if the existing complaints of pain decreases or goes away this may be indicative of a nerve root impingement or compression.

Results

While distracting the patients head, if the existing complaints of pain decreases or goes away this may be indicative of a nerve root impingement or compression. This test should not be performed on anyone who has vertebral instability. If the pain increases instead of decreasing once distraction takes place this may indicate muscle and or ligament damage as well. The vertebral artery test should be performed before the foraminal distraction test.

References

Starkey, Chad, Sara D. Brown, Jeffrey L. Ryan, Chad Starkey, and Chad Starkey. "Foraminal Distraction Test" Orthopedic and Athletic Injury Examination Handbook. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis, 2010. 449. Print.

Konin, Jeff G. "Cervical Spine- Foraminal Distraction Test." Special Tests for Orthopedic Examination. Thorofare, NY: SLACK, 2006. 15-16. Print