Part IV: Testing of the Spine and Temporomandibular Joint: Introduction

OBJECTIVES

On completion of Part IV, you will be able to:

1. Identify:

   • appropriate planes and axes for each spinal and jaw motion

   • normal ranges of motion for cervical, thoracolumbar, and lumbar spine and temporomandibular joint

   • expected normal end-feels

   • structures (contractile and noncontractile) that have the potential to limit the end of the range of motion (ROM)

2. Describe:

   • testing positions for measuring motions of the cervical, thoracolumbar, and lumbar spine and the temporomandibular joint

   • goniometer, tape measure, the cervical range of motion (CROM) device, and inclinometer alignments

   • capsular patterns of restricted motion

   • range of motion necessary for selected functional activities

3. Explain:

   • how age, gender, and other factors may affect the range of motion

   • how sources of error in measurement such as a lack of adequate stabilization or inappropriate positioning may affect testing results

4. Perform a range of motion assessment of the cervical spine using the universal goniometer, tape measure, inclinometers (double and single), and the CROM device.

5. Perform a ROM assessment of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine using the universal goniometer, tape measure, and inclinometers.

6. Perform a ROM assessment of the temporomandibular joint using a ruler.

7. Assess the intratester and intertester reliability of measurements of the spine and temporomandibular joint.

8. Discuss the reliability and validity of ROM measurements using the universal goniometer, tape measure, double and single inclinometers, CROM device, and ruler.