Chapter 18 Special Tests Flashcards
Spurling’s test (compression test) procedure?
Pt seated, doc extends and SB C-spine toward side being tested
Positive Spurling’s?
Pain radiating into ipsilateral arm due to nerve root compression
Wallenberg’s test?
Test for vertebral artery insufficiency
Positive Wallenberg’s test?
Pt complains of dizziness, visual changes, lightheadedness, or nystagmus
Wallenberg’s procedure?
Pt supine, doc flexes neck, holding for 10 sec, then extends holding for 10 secs, rotation right and left, rotation during flexion, and rotation during extension
Thoracic outlet tests?
1) Adson’s
2) Wright’s
3) Costoclavicular syndrome test (military posture test)
What is being tested in Adson’s?
Tight scalenes
Adson’s test procedure?
Monitor pt’s pule, extend shoulder, externally rotated and slightly abducted; pt then takes deep rbeath and turn head TOWARD ipsilateral arm
What is being tested in Wright’s?
Pectoralis minor muscle at coracoid process
Wright’s procedure?
Hyperabduct arm above head with some extension while monitoring pulse
What is being tested in military posture test?
Clavicle and 1st rib
Military posture procedure?
Monitor radial pulse while depressing and extending shoulder
Positive test for Adson’s, Wright’s, and military posture tests?
Severely decreased or absent radial pulse
Drop arm test procedure?
Abduct shoulder to 90, then slowly lower arm
Positive drop arm test procedure?
Unable to lower arm smoothly, or if arm drops indicating rotator cuff tear
Speeds test?
Assess biceps tendon in bicipital groove
Speeds test procedure?
Fully extend elbow, flex shoulder and supinate while doc resists shoulder flexion
Positive speeds test?
Tenderness in bicipital groove
Yergason’s test?
Tests stability of biceps tendon in bicipital groove
Yergason’s test procedure?
Doc supinates as the pt resists
Positive Yergason’s?
Biceps tendon pops out of bicipital groove
Allen’s test?
Assesses adequacy of blood supply to hand by radial and ulnar arteries
Finkelstein test?
Test for tenosynovitis in abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons at the wrist (De Quervain’s dz)
Reverse Phalen’s test (prayer test)?
For dx carpal tunnel–extend wrist while gripping doc’s hand
Hip drop test?
Evaluate sidebending (lateral flexion) of lumbar spine
Normal hip drop?
Lumbar spine SBs to side opposite bent knee, ipsilateral iliac crest drops more than 20-25 degrees
Positive hip drop test?
Anything less than a smooth convexity of lumbar spine, or drop of iliac crest
Straight leg test (Lasegue’s test)?
Evaluation of sciatic nerve compression
Braggard’s test?
To differentiate bt tight hamstring and sciatic nerve compression, doc dorsiflexes foot
Positive Braggard’s?
Pain is elicited by dorsiflexion indicating sciatic nerve compression
Seated flexion test?
Assess SI motion (sacrum)
Standing flexion test?
Assess iliosacral motion (innominates)
ASIS compression test?
Determine side of SI dysfunction (esp when standing/seated flexion tests are equivocal)
Pelvic side shift test?
Determines if sacrum is in the midline
Pelvic side shift test procedure?
With pt standing, doc stabilizes the shoulders with one hand and pushes the pelvis to the opposite side, the hands are then switched to check the other pelvis
Positive pelvic side shift test?
Positive on side of freer translation (this indicates that the pelvis is shifted to that side)
What does a positive pelvic side shift test usually indicate?
Flexion contracture of psoas (psoas syndrome)–if contracture on right, there will be positive test to the left
Trendelenburg test?
Assesses gluteus medius muscle strength
Positive Trendelenburg?
Side that drops indicates the opposite gluteus medius is weak
Lumbosacral spring test?
Assesses whether or not the sacral base is tilted posterior
Backward bending test (the sphinx test)?
Determines if sacral base moved posterior or anterior
Ober’s test?
Detects tight tensor fascia lata and IT band
Patrick’s test?
FABER–assess SI and hip joint pathology (esp osteoarthritis)
Thomas test?
Assess flexion contracture of hip, usually iliopsoas
Bounce home test?
Tests problem with full knee extension, usually due to meniscal tears or joint effusions
Apley’s compression?
Assess meniscus injury
Apley’s distraction?
Assess collateral ligament injury
McMurray’s test?
Detects tears in posterior aspect of menisci
McMurray’s for medial meniscus?
Flex hip/knee, palpate medial joint line, tibia is then externally rotated and a valgus stress is applied while slowly extending knee
McMurray’s for lateral meniscus?
Flex hip/knee, internally rotate tibia and a varus stress is applied while slowly extending knee
How to test for chondromalacia patellae?
Patellar grind test
Anterior drawer test of ankle?
Assess medial and lateral ligaments of ankle, mainly the ATF ligament
Positive seated or standing flexion tests?
Positive on side of superior PSIS
