Sharp Purser Test
Original Editor - Ben Lippe, PT
Top Contributors - Ben Lippe, PT, Rachael Lowe, Admin, Eric Robertson, Kim Jackson, Tony Lowe, Evan Thomas, Scott Buxton, WikiSysop, Claire Knott, Dan Rhon, Naomi O'Reilly, Tarina van der Stockt and Kai A. Sigel
Purpose
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To detect upper cervical instability. More specifically to determine subluxation of the atlas on the axis. If the transverse ligament that maintains the position of the odontoid process relative to C1 is torn, C1 will trnaslate forwards on C2 in flexion.
Atlantoaxial instability is the most significant complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the cervical spine[1], occuring in 29-70% of RA patients.[2]. Cervical spinal cord compromise due to atlantoaxial subluxation can have serious neurological consequences, including quadriplegia and even death.
!!This test should be performed with extreme caution!!
Technique
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The patient is seated. The examiner places the palm of one hand on the patient's forehead, and the index finger or thumb of the other hand on the tip of the spinous process of the axis (C2). The patient is asked to slowly flex the head performing a slight cervical nod, at the same time the examiner presses posteriorly on the patient's forehead.
A sliding motion of the head in relation to the axis indicates atlantoaxial instability.[1] A positive result may also be accompanied by a reduction in symptoms[3], a "clunk" sensation, or patient reports of a "click" or "clunk" felt in the roof of their mouth. It is thought that this technique reduces atlantoaxial subluxation caused by forward flexion of an unstable cervical spine.
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The Sharp-Purser test should be performed before the Transverse Ligament Stress Test, because the Sharp-Purser test works to reduce symptoms, while the Transverse Ligament Stress Test works to reproduce symptoms[4].
Evidence[edit | edit source]
Uitvlugt and Indenbaum[1] compared the Sharp-Purser Test to a gold standard of lateral flexion/extension radiographs in 123 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. They report a sensitivity of 69%, and a specificity of 96% for laxity >3mm. This yields a positive likelihood ratio of 17.3 and negative likelihood ratio of 0.32. For laxity >4mm, sensitivity increased to 88%. All cases with neurological involvement and all laxities >5mm were detected.
However, Cattrysse et al[5] found no tendancy towards a consistent leve of significant intra- and interobserver reliability.
Resources[edit | edit source]
The Sharp-Purser Test: A Useful Clinical Tool or an Exercise in Futility and Risk?
Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]
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References
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Uitvlugt G, Indenbaum S. Clinical assessment of atlantoaxial instability using the Sharp-Purser test. Arthritis and Rheumatism 1988;31(7):918-922.
- ↑ Kauppi M, Leppanin L, Heikkila S, Lahtinen T, Kautiainen H. Active conservative treatment of atlantioaxial subluxation in rheumatoid arthritis. British J Rheum 1998;37:417-420.
- ↑ Flynn TW, Cleland JA, Whitman JM. User's Guide to the Musculoskeletal Examination--Fundamentals for the Evidence-Based Clinician. Evidence in Motion;2008:94.
- ↑ Aspinall W. Clinical testing for the craniovertebral hypermobility syndrome. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1990;12(2):47-54.
- ↑ Cattrysse E, Swinkels RA, Oostendorp RA, Duquet W. Upper cervical instability: are clinical tests reliable? Man Ther. 1997 May;2(2):91-97.
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