Lumbar Special Tests

Question 1

Slump test - tests for what

Answer 1

Dysfunction of neurlogical structures supplying the lower limb

Question 2

Slump test - how to perform

Answer 2

Pt sitting on edge of table with knees flexed and hands clasped behind
Passively flex pt head and neck
Passively extend one of pt knees
Passively DF ankle

Question 3

Lasegue’s test - tests for what

Answer 3

Dysfunction of neurological symptoms that supply the lower limb

Question 4

Lasegue’s test - how to perfrom

Answer 4

Pt supine with legs resting on table
Passively flex hip of one leg with knee ext until complaint of shooting pain
Slowly lower limb until pain subsides and then DF ankle

Question 5

Femoral nerve traction test - tests for what

Answer 5

Compression of femoral nerve anywhere along its course

Question 6

Femoral nerve traction test - how to perform

Answer 6

Pt lies on nonpainful side with trunk in neutral and head slightly flexed - lower limb hip and knee flexed
Passively extend hip while knee of painful limb is extended
If no reproduction of sx, flex knee of painful leg

Question 7

Vasalva’s maneuver - tests for what

Answer 7

space occupying lesions

Question 8

Vasalva’s maneuver - how to perform

Answer 8

Pt sitting and isntruct them to take a deep breath and hold while they bear down

Question 9

Prone instability test - tests for what

Answer 9

Instability of lumbar spine

Question 10

Prone instability test - how to perform

Answer 10

Pt prone with torso on plinth and legs off the edge with feet supported on ground
Apply PA to painful segment
Instruct pt to lift their legs a few inches and then perform PA again to painful segment
Pos if dec pain with PA with legs raised compared to being supported on ground

Question 11

Quadrant test - tests for what

Answer 11

Compression of neural structures at intervertebral foramen and facet dysfunction

Question 12

Quadrant test - how to perform

Answer 12

Pt standing
Intervertebral foramen - have them SB left, rot left, and ext maximally (closes foramen on left) same to R
Facet - have them SB left, rot right, and ext (compresses facet on L) same to R

Question 13

Stork standing test - tests for what

Answer 13

Spondylolisthesis

Question 14

Stork standing test - how to perform

Answer 14

Pt standing on one leg
Cue them into trunk ext
Same with opp leg on groung
Pos if pain in low back with ipsilateral leg on ground

Question 15

McKenzie side glide test - tests for what

Answer 15

Differentiates btw scoliotic curve and neuro dysfunction causing abnormal curvature

Question 16

McKenzie side glide test - how to perform

Answer 16

Pt standing
Stand on one side of pt so that upper trunk is shifted toward you
Place your shoulders into pt upper trunk and wrap your arms around their pelvis
Stabilize upper trunk and pull pelvis to bring pelvis and trunk into proper alignment
Pos if reproduction of sx as alignment is corrected

Question 17

Bicycle (van Gelderen’s) test - tests for what

Answer 17

Differentiates between intermittent claudication and spinal stenosis

Question 18

Bicycle (van Gelderen’s) test - how to perform

Answer 18

Pt seated on stationary bike
Pt rides bike while sitting erect
Time how long pt can ride at set pace/speed
After rest period - have them ride bike at same speed in a slumped position
If pain related to stenosis - pt should be able to ride longer when slumped

Question 19

Well straight leg raise test - tests for what

Answer 19

Herniated nucleus pulposus or neural tension/radiculopathy

Question 20

Well straight leg raise test - how to perform

Answer 20

Pt supine with head, neck, and torso in neutral
Maintain knee ext and neutral DF and lift leg to point of sx provocation
Perform on non involved
Pos if reproduction of low back pain with SLR of noninvolved