Accuracy in assessing condylar glide restriction is dependent on first biasing the condyles, anteriorly or posteriorly, into the direction which is being assessed.

 Patient is supine on the table with the operator sitting at the head of the table.

Operator grasps the sides of the head with each hand and biases the condyles anteriorly by rotating the head posteriorly around an axis through the external auditory meatus while monitoring the first movement of the atlas.

 

 

Operator then rotates the head 30˚ to the right.

 

 

Operator introduces anterior translatory movement of the head asking the right condyle to glide anteriorly while sensing for
resistance.

 

 

Operator then rotates the head 30˚ to the left.

 

 

Operator introduces anterior translatory movement of the head asking the left condyle to glide anteriorly while sensing for resistance.

 

 

Operator grasps the sides of the head with each hand and biases the condyles posteriorly by rotating the head anteriorly around an axis through the external auditory meatus while monitoring the first movement of the atlas.

 

 

Operator then rotates the head 30˚ to the right.

 

 

 

Operator introduces posterior translatory movement of the head asking the right condyle to glide posteriorly while sensing for resistance to movement.

 

 

Operator then rotates the head 30˚ to the left.

 

 

Operator introduces posterior translatory movement of the head asking the left condyle to glide posteriorly while sensing for resistance to movement.

 

 

 

This tests for the forward-bending and backward-bending capacity of each condyle.  If resistance is encountered, there will be restriction of the side-bending and rotational motion coupled to opposite sides (the minor movements).  Most often, a condyle will resist posterior glide (flexion).  If this were true on the right, C0-C1 would be documented as extended and side-bent right and rotated left (ES_leftR_right).