Cervical Artery Dissection (Screening)

Torn Neck Artery (Must Recognise)

Tear in the intimal lining of the vertebral or internal carotid artery. POTENTIALLY FATAL: can cause stroke. NOT a condition physiotherapists treat, but one they MUST recognise and screen for before cervical manipulation. Risk factors: recent trauma, cervical manipulation (controversial: association but causation debated), connective tissue disorders, recent infection.

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