Alar Ligament Test
What is the "Alar Ligament Test" used for?
- Alar Ligament Test is used to assess the alar ligament integrity.
- Rotation and side bending tighten the contralateral alar (e.g., rotation or side bending to the right tightens the left alar), whereas flexion typically tightens both alar ligaments.
How to perform the "Alar Ligament Test"?
- While the patient is in supine position, the posterior aspect of the transverse process of C2 is palpated with one hand, while the patient's head is side bent or rotated.
What is the positive result?
- Under normal conditions, rotation & side bending tightens alar ligament. Thus, the spinous process should move immediately in the contralateral direction to side bending.
- If the C2 transverse process does not move as soon as the head begins to rotate, laxity of the alar ligament should be suspected (most common in patient with RA).
Test Accuracy
- The diagnostic value of Alar Ligament Test is as yet unknown.
References
- Orthofixar | Alar Ligament Test
- Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, And Intervention 3rd Edition.
