Vertebral Artery Blood Flow? can PTs realistically test it?

Some Physical therapists commonly use pre-manipulative screening tests involving cervical end-range rotation and extension. It is hypothesized that these tests help screen patients who are not appropriate to receive cervical manipulations, due to a potential risk of having vertebro-basilar insufficiency (VBI).

This study compared the commonly used VBI tests to Duplex ultrasound with colour Doppler flow imaging. Study conclusion: ?Pre-manipulative testing (i.e. end-range cervical rotation and extension) does not distinguish between patients with varying degrees of vertebral artery flow impedance and is generally unlikely to be able to detect the patient at increased risk of stroke following manipulation.?

Posted on: February 18, 2002

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