A guide to cranial nerve testing for musculoskeletal clinicians

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Orthopedics
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Neurological examination is crucial for safe orthopedic practice.
• Physiotherapists as first-line practitioners need to identify cranial nerve (CN) dysfunction.
• Neck, head, and orofacial pain may indicate CN issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize cranial nerve examination skills for musculoskeletal practitioners.
• To enhance clinician confidence in assessing neural function and impairment.
• To guide appropriate clinical decision-making based on examination findings.

Main Methods:

• Review of cranial nerve functions.
• Description of potential impairments and associated conditions.
• Outline of basic cranial nerve examination techniques.

Main Results:

• Cranial nerve examination is based on nerve function.
• Provides a framework for understanding neural function and impairment.
• Aims to increase clinician confidence in performing and interpreting examinations.

Conclusions:

• Cranial nerve testing is quick, efficient, and requires no special equipment.
• Understanding CNs improves diagnostic accuracy and referral practices.
• Increased testing frequency in orthopedic settings is anticipated with positive findings.