• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • General Ortho
  • Procedures
  • Spine
  • Upper Limb
  • Lower Limb
  • Pain
  • Trauma
  • Tumors
  • Newsletter/Updates
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Bone and Spine

Orthopedic health, conditions and treatment

Flexion Extension Xrays of Cervical Spine

By Dr Arun Pal Singh

In this article
    • When Flexion Extension Xrays of Cervical Spine are Done?

Flexion-extension x-rays of cervical spine are Dynamic motion studies of the neck.  These x-rays of the cervical spine are helpful in eliciting less than the obvious instability of the cervical spine and assessing the healing results of the cervical spine following trauma and other pathologies.

Flexion-extension x-rays of the cervical spine are taken in different positions of neck i.e. flexion and extension. This is called dynamic radiography. The x-rays are then studied for relations of vertebral bodies and the preservation or loss of anatomical alignment which may be indicated by

  • Development of deformity in a particular position
  • Inability to maintain normal relationships of vertebrae on change of position.
  • More than desired motion of a vertebral segment on movement.

Any of the above indicates an imbalance of ligamentous structure.

Sometimes, in dynamic radiography, additional distraction forces may be applied by putting traction and the displacement may be studied. Any abnormal displacement indicates insufficiency.

The x-ray above and below are of 38 years old lady who suffered from chronic neck pain. Her routine x-ray of the cervical spine revealed a kyphotic deformity at C4-C5 level. Flexion-extension x-rays of cervical spine views were done. While the deformity got corrected in extension view, it got exaggerated in the flexion suggesting dynamic instability. [Images above and below]

When Flexion Extension Xrays of Cervical Spine are Done?

Flexion-extension x-rays of the cervical spine are done when initial investigations suggest near the normal spine or reveal a deformity which needs to be determined as fixed or correctable. Flexion-extension x-rays of the cervical spine are also done when there is enough evidence to suggest instability.

The problem can be as a result of trauma or some other disease. In trauma, however, flexion-extension x-rays of the cervical spine are usually contraindicated for patients with known acute cervical spine fractures and dislocations.  They are deferred until a patient has documented the absence of cognitive impairment, has overcome the acute post-injury state and has no obvious signs of spinal trauma.

In fact, better imaging modalities like CT or MRI obviate the need for flexion-extension X-rays of the cervical spine in cases of patients with trauma.

Spread the Knowledge
  • 14
    Shares
  •  
    14
    Shares
  • 6
  • 8
  •  
  •  
  •  

Filed Under: Spine

About Dr Arun Pal Singh

Arun Pal Singh is an orthopedic and trauma surgeon, founder and chief editor of this website. He works in Kanwar Bone and Spine Clinic, Dasuya, Hoshiarpur, Punjab.

This website is an effort to educate and support people and medical personnel on orthopedic issues and musculoskeletal health.

You can follow him on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

heel spur xray

Heel Spur – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

A heel spur is a small bony outgrowth or osteophyte on the underside of the heel. The heel spur is generally seen in middle-aged persons but can be found in other age groups too. The heel spur is commonly believed to be a cause of heel pain which is not true as heel spur is […]

periosteal chondroma of femur

Juxtacortical Tumors or Surface Tumors of Bone

Juxtacortical tumors or surface tumors of bone are neoplasms [abnormal and excessive growth] arising from or just outside the cortex, and are composed of different histologic types. Some of the important juxtacortical tumors are Periosteal or juxtacortical chondroma Periosteal or juxtacortical chondrosarcomas Periosteal or juxtacortical  osteosarcomas Juxtacortical tumors are divided into 5 major categories Cartilaginous […]

thoracolumbar junction syndrome

Thoracolumbar Junction Syndrome

Thoracolumbar Junction Syndrome is also called Maigne Syndrome or Dorsal Ramus Syndrome or posterior ramus syndrome. It is caused by the unexplained activation of the primary division of a posterior ramus of a spinal nerve. In absence of any radiological signs, the diagnosis is made clinically. The thoracolumbar junction (TLJ) is comprised of the T10-11, […]

articular cartilage zones

Articular Cartilage Structure and Function

Articular cartilage is the layer covering the joint surfaces. Its main function is to produce smooth articulations among the joint surfaces. In most joints, adult human articular cartilage is of the hyaline type. The thickness of human articular cartilage varies from area to area within a single joint and from joint to joint. In large […]

Degrees of freedom Knee

Normal Biomechanics of Knee and Movements

Knee allows locomotion with minimum energy requirements from the muscles and stability for accommodating for different terrains. The knee joint has biomechanical roles in allowing gait by flexing and rotating and at the same time, provides stability during the activities of daily life. It shortens and extends lower limb as required and transmits forces across […]

Coccydynia or tailbone pain

Coccydynia – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Coccydynia, also called coccygodynia refers to pain in the coccyx region. The term was given by Simpson in 1859. However, the condition has been reported in the literature before that period too. The coccyx is the lowermost part of the spine and is also called the tailbone. One can feel the lower end of the coccyx […]

antitubercular chemotherapy doses

Antitubercular Chemotherapy in Musculoskeletal Tuberculosis

Antitubercular chemotherapy is the mainstay of the treatment of osteoarticular tuberculosis. It is complemented by rest, nutritional support and splinting, as necessary. The drugs and regimens are fundamentally similar to those for pulmonary TB. But there is a lack of consensus on the appropriate duration of treatment. Overview of Osteoarticular Tuberculosis The spine is probably […]

Browse Articles

Footer

Pages

  • About
    • Policies
    • Contact Us

Featured Article

Coxa Valga Causes and Treatment

Coxa valga is increased in femoral neck-shaft angle tp more than 140 degrees. Like coxa vara, coxa valga could be congenital or acquired.But it is … [Read More...] about Coxa Valga Causes and Treatment

Search Articles

© Copyright: BoneAndSpine.com