Mobility studies of the cervical spine - helpful but hazardous

Radiographic 'mobility studies' of the cervical spine are frequently requested to exclude ligamentous damage and instability after injury. Such procedures are hazardous and are often unsatisfactory, as movement of the neck is limited by pain and muscular spasm. Certain precautions are suggested to minimize the risk of inducing spinal cord injury. These are supervision of the examination by a doctor, prior scrutiny of the neutral lateral radiograph, and permitting voluntary active movement of the neck only within the limits imposed by the patient's condition.