Cervical Instability

Original Editor - Mary-Kate McCoy and Heather Lampe as part of the Temple University EBP Project

Top Contributors - Vanbeylen Antoine, Mary-Kate McCoy, Rachael Lowe, Admin, Pieter Piron, Sara Evenepoel, David Herteleer, Kim Jackson, Lucinda hampton, Heather Lampe, Laura Ritchie, Nick Van Doorsselaer, Daniele Barilla, Simisola Ajeyalemi, Tony Lowe, Scott A Burns, WikiSysop, 127.0.0.1, Jess Bell, Olajumoke Ogunleye, Beth Potter and Evan Thomas  

Welcome to Vrije Universiteit Brussel's Evidence-based Practice project. This space was created by and for the students in the Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy program of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. Please do not edit unless you are involved in this project, but please come back in the near future to check out new information!!

Original Editors

Top Contributors - Vanbeylen Antoine, Mary-Kate McCoy, Rachael Lowe, Admin, Pieter Piron, Sara Evenepoel, David Herteleer, Kim Jackson, Lucinda hampton, Heather Lampe, Laura Ritchie, Nick Van Doorsselaer, Daniele Barilla, Simisola Ajeyalemi, Tony Lowe, Scott A Burns, WikiSysop, 127.0.0.1, Jess Bell, Olajumoke Ogunleye, Beth Potter and Evan Thomas  

Search Strategy

cervical stabilization exercises, cervical instability, physical therapy, physiotherapy, treatment, anatomy, definition cervical instability

Definition/Description

Cervical instability describes a wide range of conditions from neck pain and deformation without any clear proof over little malformations too complete failure of intervertebral connection¹⁵. White et al (1975)¹⁶ described cervical stability as: Cervical spine instability is defined as the loss of ability of cervical spine under physiological loads to maintain relationships between vertebrae in such a way, that spinal cord or nerve roots are not damaged or irritated and deformity or pain does not develop.

Clinically Relevant Anatomy

The cervical spine consist of 7 separate vertebrae. The first two vertebrae (referred as upper cervical spine) are highly specialized and differ from the other 5 cervical vertebrae (lower cervical) regarding anatomical structure and function.
The upper cervical spine is made of the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2). It comprises of two joint structures: one in between os occipital and atlas (atlanto-occipital joint), the other one between atlas and axis, which forms the atlanto-axial joint. The atlantoaxial joint is responsible for 50% of all cervical rotation; the atlanto-occipital joint is responsible for 50% of flexion and extension. ⁸
The craniocervical junction (atlanto-occipital joint), the lower atlanto-axial joint and other cervical segments are reinforced by internal as well as external ligaments. They secure the spinal stability of the cervical spine as a whole, together with surrounding postural muscles and allow cervical motion. They also provide proprioceptive information throughout the spinal nerve system to the brain.
Articulations include disk-vertebral body articulations, uncovertebral joints, and facet joints. The disk is thicker anteriorly as wel as its nearby ligamentous structures, contributing to normal cervical lordosis. The facet joints are oriented at a 45º angle to the axial plane, allowing a sliding motion; the joint capsule is weakest posteriorly. Supporting ligamentum flavum, posterior, and interspinous ligaments strengthen the posterior column but are thinner and therefore more fragile. ^9,10
The remaining 5 vertebrae form the lower cervical spine, C3-C7, are similar to each other but differ from the upper cervical spine as mentioned before. ¹¹

Epidemiology /Etiology

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Characteristics/Clinical Presentation

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Differential Diagnosis

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Diagnostic Procedures

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Outcome Measures

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Examination

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Medical Management

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Physical Therapy Management

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Key Research

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Resources

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Clinical Bottom Line

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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)

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References

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Clinically Relevant Anatomy

The cervical spine is structurally distinguished by differences between the upper cervical spine (C1 and C2) and the lower cervical spine (C3-C7) segments. Anatomical and functional distinctions allow for differences in segmental mobility and movement direction. The upper cervical spine allows for a greater degree of rotation with some frontal and sagittal movement. In contrast, the lower cervical spine moves in flexion-extension and inclination-rotation.

Upper Cervical Spine (C1-C2)

Figure 1:Posterior view of upper cervical
spine ligaments.

Cervical instability is commonly associated with the upper cervical spine. Ghanem proposes that the anatomical nature of the upper cervical spine creates an inherent instability. The alar and transverse ligaments provide the primary source of stability for the upper cervical spine.  The transverse ligament is located across the arch of the atlas and positions the dens against the anterior arch of the atlas. Functionally, the transverse ligament limits flexion and provides support from anterior translation of C1.  If the transverse ligament is disrupted by injury or is congenitally lax, neural or vascular compromise could occur. This is due to the proximity of the spinal cord and vertebral arteries. The alar ligaments connect the cranium to C1 from the sides of the dens to the lateral borders of the foramen magnum. The alar ligaments function to prevent excessive rotation at the atlanto-occipital joint. The alar ligament is most commonly injured in motor vehicle accidents. However disruption of the alar ligament is less likely to lead to neurological or vascular injury. 

Lower Cervical Spine (C3-C7) 

In contrast to the upper cervical spine, the frontal plane orientation of facet joints of the lower cervical spine serves as the primary source of stability. In addition, spinal ligaments including ligamentum nuchae, anterior longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, and ligamentum flavum contribute to stability in the lower cervical spine.

Mechanism of Injury / Pathological Process

Traumatic:

• Whiplash
• Motor vehicle accident
• Head/neck surgery 

Systemic:

• Recent upper respiratory infection

Congenital:

• Down syndrome
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylosis
• Cerebral palsy
• Neurofibromatosis
• Os odontoideum
• Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS)

Clinical Presentation

Mintken et al described the cardinal symptoms of clinical instability: drop attacks, facial or lip paresthesias, bilateral or quadrilateral limb paresthesias, or nystagmus.  These signs and symptoms are usually provoked with active or passive movement of the head or neck. Furthermore, in their case study, they address other secondary impairments such as dizziness and bilateral blurred vision.

In a Delphi survey study, Cook et al reported that physical therapists attribute the following symptoms with cervical instability:

• “intolerance to prolonged static postures”
• “fatigue and inability to hold head up”
• "better with external support, including hands or collar"
• "frequent need for self-manipulation"
• "feeling of instability, shaking, or lack of control"
• "frequent episodes of acute attacks"
• "sharp pain, possibly with sudden movements"

Since there is little evidence supportive of clinical tests for cervical spine instability, recognition of these symptoms along with clinical judgment could warrant referral. During examination, it is important to collect a thorough history from the patient to understand the patient’s chief complaint, signs and symptoms - neural or vascular compromise, duration and pain level.

Diagnostic Procedures

Clinical Testing

In the literature, cervical spine instability consistently is described as being difficult to diagnose. Clinically, ligamentous tests to assess the stability of the upper cervical spine are limited by reliability, validity, and no consensus for sequencing of such tests. It is recommended to first assess with the Sharp-Pursor test, and then, only if it is negative, to proceed with other ligamentous tests in order of provocation (alar ligamentous stress then anterior shear test). Research remains inconclusive in what order it should be performed. Some authors feel as though if the Sharp-Pursor test is performed first, it can elicit a false negative response. Thus, if the patient does not experience a provocative test first, there would be a chance the patient’s symptoms would not be relieved by the Sharp-Pursor test. More research is required in this area to clarify the order and diagnostic accuracy for upper cervical spine instability testing.

Table 1: Clinical testing for upper cervical spine instability

Test	Description	Positive Test	Diagnostic Accuracy
Sharp-Pursor Test	The palm of one hand is placed on the patient’s forehead and the with the other hand the spinous process of the axis is then gently fixed by a pinch grip. Make sure your elbows are out to your sides. The head and neck are gently flexed to 20 degrees. With pressure applied on the forehead, the occiput and atlas are translated posteriorly.	Reduction in symptoms with and/or no sliding or “clunking” noted with PA movement.	Sensitivity= 0.69 Specificity= 0.96 +LR= 17.3 -LR=0.32
Alar Ligament Stress Test	Patient is supine and the therapist grips and stabilizes the spinous process of the axis. The head and atlas are then side bent around the coronal axis of the atlantoaxial joint. Ipsilateral rotation of the axis is prevented by the stabilization of the axis. The end feel and the amount of motion are assessed. If the alar ligament is intact, little to no side bending can occur and the end feel should be capsular. The test is then repeated with rotation of the head and atlas on the axis and the end feel is assessed.	With passive movement of the head there is a lag or delay of C2 spinous process movement	No available research
Anterior Shear Test ( Transverse Ligament Test)	Patient is supine and the therapist supports the occiput in the palms of the hands and the third, fourth, and fifth fingers while the 2 index fingers are placed in the space between the occiput and the C2 spinous process, thus overlying the neural arch of the atlas. The head and C1 are then lifted (sheared) anteriorly together, while the head is maintained in its neutral position and gravity fixes the rest of the neck. The patient is instructed to report any symptoms other than local pain and soreness.	Sensation of lump in the throat or the presence of cardinal signs.	No available research

Diagnostic Imaging

Radiography is the primary diagnostic tool for cervical instability. Whenever possible, radiographs should be taken in sitting or standing to account for the effect of gravity and to capture an accurate picture of the normal curvature of the patient’s spine under physiological loading. Radiographs should be taken in 3 views: anteroposterior, open-mouth anteroposterior, and lateral.

File:Radiograph Fig 2.jpg

Cervical Radiograph

Figure 2: Lateral cervical
radiograph with increased ADI.

Standard anteroposterior radiographs provide visualization of the lower cervical spine, while open-mouth radiographs provide visualization of the upper cervical spine. Lateral radiographs allow for the measurement of the atlantodens interval (ADI), the space between the posterior surface of the anterior ring of the atlas and the anterior surface of the dens. An ADI greater than 3mm in adults or 5mm in children is indicative of atlantoaxial instability. In adults, an ADI of greater than 5mm typically indicates a rupture of the transverse ligament. However, in patient populations with chronic ligamentous laxity such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Down Syndrome, or congenital abnormalties, the ADI measurement may not be as useful for diagnosing laxity of the transverse ligament. Such patients may present as asymptomatic. It is important to consider the increased risk associated with ligamentous laxity in these populations and to exercise caution in treatment.^,

File:MRI Fig 3.jpg

Cervical MRI

Figure 3:Cervical MRI shows
increased ADI (13mm) displacing
dens and increasing pressure on
the spinal cord.

Imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI, computed tomography (CT) scanning, and dynamic fluoroscopy may be used when radiograph images are unclear or incomplete and/or for complex cases that require a detailed analysis of pathoanatomical structures or involve significant neurological deficits.^,

Outcome Measures

There are no patient reported outcome measures to specifically address cervical instability. However clinicians can address the patient’s reported impairments by administering the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI).

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
• Neck Disability Index (NDI)
  

Management / Interventions

Upon examination findings of positive ligamentous testing and clinically observable signs such as cardinal symptoms, a referral for imaging should be implemented. Depending on the mechanism of injury or the pathological origin of cervical spine instability, the mode for medical management varies. Ghanem reports that treatments include surgical correction, immobilization or traction depending on the diagnosis of the patient’s case.  Patients may benefit from conservative physical therapy interventions, especially those patients without severe ligamentous injury or neurovascular complications. Conservative therapy should focus on motor control retraining exercises for the cervical spine including the deep neck flexors. Manual therapy such as non-thrust manipulation and soft tissue mobilization could be considered to improve mobility of adjacent regions and for symptomatic relief. Aggressive manual techniques that would place strain through the compromised ligaments or cause neurovascular signs/symptoms are contraindicated.

Differential Diagnosis

• Fracture
• Cervical myelopathy
• Vertebral basilar insufficiency
• Cervical spondylosis
• Torticollis
• Mechanical neck pain
• Headache
• TMJ dysfunction

Key Evidence

Mintken PE, Metrick L, Flynn TW. Upper cervical ligament testing in a patient with os odontoideum presenting with headaches.

Resources

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Case Studies

Mintken PE, Metrick L, Flynn TW. Upper cervical ligament testing in a patient with os odontoideum presenting with headaches.

 

Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)

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References

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