Signs, Symptoms, and Assessment of Upper Crossed Syndrome

The first and most obvious sign of upper crossed syndrome (named by Vladimir Janda) is the characteristic postural dysfunction of protracted scapulae, medially (internally) rotated humeri, hyperkyphotic (overly flexed) upper thoracic spine, and a protracted (anteriorly held) head.

cervical distraction test performed to assess a space occupying condition of the cervical spine

Special Orthopedic Assessment Tests for the Neck – Space Occupying Conditions

The term “space occupying condition” is used to describe a condition in which there is compression on a spinal nerve in the intervertebral foramen.