Palpate for tenderness and masses. Palpate posteriorly in the midline, laterally, supraclavicularly - check for cervical rib - and anteriorly
Midline tenderness in the cervical spine may be due to supraspinous damage following whiplash injuries. Midline tenderness associated with a defect in the supraspinous ligament is a serious finding, often resulting from major trauma. Paraspinal tenderness radiating into trapezius is found in cases of cervical spondylosis.
Crepitation may be evident upon flexion and extension with cervical spondylosis. One hand may be ischaemically cold, discoloured and atrophic secondary to a cervical rib.
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