We are very excited to let you know that Roger Kerry and Alan Taylor have been working hard to create a very insightful and useful page on Cervical Arterial Dysfunction in Physiopedia. First described in 2008 by Roger, Alan and others, the model has been adopted by the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) in their 2013 document International framework for examination of the cervical region for potential of Cervical Arterial Dysfunction prior to Orthopaedic Manual Therapy intervention.
Cervical arterial dysfunction (CAD) is an umbrella term used in manual therapy and physiotherapy to cover a range of vascular pathologies which may lead to cervico-cranial ischaemia. CAD is inclusive of all known vascular pathologies and anatomical structures that may be compromised by movement or manual therapy. Further, the clinical model of CAD incorporates the notion of assessing for patients presenting to physiotherapists with neuromusculoskeletal neck and head pain who may have an increased risk of developing an associated pathology.
Thus the model has two dimensions:
- To identify underlying vascular pathologies masquerading as neuromusculoskeletal pain;
- To identify the risk of developing arterial pathology during assessment or intervention.
This is an excellent new addition to Physiopedia which we recommend that all musculoskeletal and orthopedic physiotherapists and physical therapists read. We will continue to collaborate with Roger and Alan as Topic Experts in this area. If you would like to become a topic expert in Physiopedia please do let us know by contacting Rachael – [email protected]