Sharp Purser Test

Sharp Purser Test:

  • This Sharp Purser test assesses the integrity of the joint of Atlanto-Axial & more notably for the stabilizers of the dens on the Atlas vertebra.
  • When the transverse ligament has maintained the position of the odontoid process relative of to C1 is in torn & C1 is for translate to forwards on the C2 in a flexion movement.
  • Instability of the Atlantoaxial joint which is the most significant complication of rheumatoid arthritis = RA in the cervical spine for occurring in the 29-70% of the RA = rheumatoid arthritis patients.
  • Compromise of the Cervical spinal cord is due to the subluxation of the atlantoaxial joint for having serious neurological consequences, including quadriplegia & even death.
  • This Sharp Purser Test is performed with extreme caution.

What is the purpose of the Sharp Purser Test?

  • This Sharp Purser test is used to specifically assess the integrity of the ligament of the Transverse around the cervical spine.
  • This test is also used to determine the subluxation of the atlas on the axis.

How do you perform the Sharp Purser Test?

  • In this test, the examiner may find the patient reticent to do forward flexion if the transverse ligament has been damaged.
  • The examiner [ therapist ] places one hand over the patient’s forehead while the thumb of the other hand is placed over the spinous process of the axis to stabilize it.
  • The patient is asked to slowly flex the head while this is occurring the examiner presses backward with the palm.

What is the result of the Sharp Purser Test?

Sharp Purser Test
Sharp Purser Test
  • A positive test is indicated if the examiner feels the head slide backward during the movement.
  • The slide backward indicates that the subluxation of the atlas has been reduced,& the slide may be accompanied by a clunk.
  • Aspinall advocates the use of an additional test if the sharp – purses test is negative.Tthe patient is placed in the supine position.
  • The examiner [ therapist ] stabilizes the occiput on the atlas in flexion & holds the occiput in the flexed position.
  • The examiner [ therapist ] then applies an anteriorly directed force to the posterior aspect of the atlas.
  • Normally, no movement or symptoms are perceived by the patient.
  • For the test to be positive, the patient should feel a lump in the throat as the atlas moves toward the esophagus.
  • This is indicative of hypermobility at the atlantoaxial articulation.
  • Rey – Einz et al advocated doing a similar test to test for hypomobility in the middle cervical spine [ posterior-anterior middle cervical spine gliding test.
  • The head & cervical spine are held in neutral & the examiner pushes anteriorly on the lamina of C3, C4, or C5.
  • Hypermobility for the test was defined as abnormal resistance to movement, abnormal end feel & reproduction of local or referred pain.

What is Evidence of the Sharp Purser Test?

  • Uitvlugt & Indenbaum has compared the Sharp-Purser Test to a gold standard of the lateral flexion & extension movement radiographs in the 123 patients with the disease of rheumatoid arthritis = RA.
  • It is reported to the sensitivity of the Sharp Purser Test is = 69%
  • Specificity of the Sharp Purser Test is = 96% for the laxity >3mm.
  • A positive likelihood ratio of the Sharp Purser Test is =17.3
  • The negative likelihood ratio of the Sharp Purser Test is = 0.32 for laxity >4mm
  • When the sensitivity is increased to 88%.
  • So that All cases with neurological involvement & all laxities >5mm are detected.
  • On the other way, Cattrysse et al.is found no tendency towards the consistent level of significance for Intra & interobserver reliability.
Vaishali Ladva
Author: Vaishali Ladva

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