1. Spine Assessment
Sports Med 2

2. History Most important thing to do is rule out a spinal cord injury
Did you land on top of, or hit someone with your head
Did you lose consciousness
Do you have pain in your neck
Any tingling, numbness, or burning in your shoulders, arms or hands
Do you have equal muscle strength in both hands?
Are you able to move your ankles and toes

3. History
Yes to any of those questions will send a red flag when moving your athlete. Remain overly cautious. After you have ruled out a spinal injury then general questions can begin
Were you standing, twisting, sitting, bending
Did the pain begin immediately
How long has it been going on
What motions/movements hurt your back
Tingling or pain in your buttocks or down the back of your leg

4. Observation Posture Evaluation
Posture vary tremendously between athletes
Entire body should be observed from all angles
Lateral, anterior, posterior
A grid can be used for accuracy
Figure 23-10, 23-11

5. Observation General Observation Head is tilted to one side
Shoulder is lower on one side, or carried forward
Scapular imbalance
One hip is prominent
Hips are tilted
One arm hangs lower
One patella is lower than the other

6. Deviations: Define and Draw pg. 869
Kyphosis
Forward Head Posture
Flatback
Swayback
Lordosis
Scoliosis

7. Cervical Observations
Look at the position of the head and neck
Symmetrical shoulders
Is the patient willing to move head and neck
Check active ROM

8. Thoracic Observations
Check active ROM
Pain = cervical disk or trigger point
Flex forward and laterally/extend and rotate the trunk
Pain = nerve root irritation to the lower thoracic region
Most common pain has to do with facet joints

9. Lumbar Observations Pelvis and shoulders should be level
Soft tissues symmetrical
Unusual curve in lower back noticed

10. Palpation Athlete lying prone Head and neck should be slightly flexed
Pillow under the hips
Musculature on both sides of spine
Spinous processes
Sacroiliac joints