The University of West Alabama





Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center

AH 323 Evaluation of Athletic Injuries I Laboratory
Expanding Intracranial Lesion Tests DEMONSTRATIONS

 

EXPANDING INTRACRANIAL LESION TESTS

SKILL

TESTING PROCEDURE

MATERIALS NEEDED

SPECIAL NOTES

MOUSE OVER PICTURE TO VIEW MOVIE

Neurological control - upper limb
  1. Patient is asked to stand with arms flexed 90 degrees & eyes closed

  2. Hold position for 30 seconds

  3. Note to see if one arm tends to drift outward or downward

Safe unobstructed area
  1. Be prepared to catch unsteady patient

  2. Lesion opposite of + test side

 
Neurological control - lower limb
  1. Patient sits on table edge or chair with legs extended in front & not touching floor & eyes closed

  2. Hold position for 30 seconds

  3. Note if 1 leg tends to move/drift

Safe unobstructed area
  1. Be prepared to catch unsteady patient

  2. Lesion opposite of + test side

 
Romberg test
  1. Stand with feet together, arms by side, eyes open

  2. Note problems with balance

  3. Then close eyes for 20 seconds

  4. Note any balance differences

Spotters to help catch patient on both sides

Safe unobstructed area

  1. Be prepared to catch unsteady patient

  2. + if pt. sways or falls to one side

 
Tandem Test
  1. Walk in tandem (heel of one foot directly in front of toe of other foot, in a straight line)

  2. Stand in tandem (heel of one foot directly in front of toe of other foot)

Safe unobstructed straight area
  1. Be prepared to catch unsteady patient

  2. Difficulty of walking in tandem (walking the line) or standing in tandem (standing on 2 feet) with expanding intracranial lesions
  3. Standing is more difficult than walking
 

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 20, 2009

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