Brain Injury and Neurological Disorders

The cervico-thoracic spinal exam is a vital component of the patient encounter when evaluating for neck pain, shoulder or arm pain, paresthesias, weakness, or changes in fine motor manipulation. It should be performed in an optimal manner that is evidence based with the patient strongly encouraged to fully participate in. It need not be superfluous or tedious if it

is focused based on the patient history. I usually perform a complete exam on the initial visit and a focused exam on followup visits. This includes the shoulder and upper extremity exam as well. This workshop will focus on patients with complaints that may be related to the cervico-thoracic spine. It is important to keep in mind that no single data point from the history or from the physical, radiographic or electromyographic exam can definitively make a diagnosis. Multiple data points should be collected and a differential diagnosis should then be drawn from these data.