Lumbar Spine Special Tests Flashcards
Name the 11 special tests for the lumbar spine?
- SLR TEST
- WELL LEG RAISE
- SLUMP TEST
- BOWSTRING SIGN
- FEMORAL NERVE STRETCH / NACHLAS TEST
- VALSALVA TEST
- MILGRAM’S TEST
- HOOVER’S TEST
- QUADRANT / KEMP’S TEST
- PHEASANT TEST
- SEGMENTAL INSTABILITY TEST
Name the first 6 special tests for the lumbar spine?
- SLR TEST
- WELL LEG RAISE
- SLUMP TEST
- BOWSTRING SIGN
- FEMORAL NERVE STRETCH / NACHLAS TEST
- VALSALVA TEST
Name the final 5 special tests for the lumbar spine? (7 - 11)
- MILGRAM’S TEST
- HOOVER’S TEST
- QUADRANT / KEMP’S TEST
- PHEASANT TEST
- SEGMENTAL INSTABILITY TEST
Which 2 nerves are tested in the SLR test?
SCIATIC
and
TIBIAL
What does a positive SLR test point to?
POSTEROLATERAL DISC HERNIATION
due to
DURAL TENSION
What does a positive Well Leg Raise test point to?
POSTEROMEDIAL DISC HERNIATION
due to
DURAL TENSION
+ neurological symptoms
Which test with put a tension through the entire spine, affecting the dural sheath?
SLUMP TEST
+ reproduction of s/s relieved when head returned to neutral
The inflamed sciatic nerve may be directly palpated in the __________ _________. This is a test knows as what?
POPLITEAL FOSSA
+
BOWSTRING SIGN
+ = braided cord feeling, and reproduction s/s
Which test puts the femoral nerve on stretch, where pain may be positive for L2 / L3 / L4 dermatomes?
FEMORAL NERVE STRETCH
aka
NACHLAS TEST
What does Valsalva test for?
SPACE-OCCUPYING LESION:
- HERNIATED DISC
- OSTEOPHYTE
- TUMOR
In which test may a positive indicate an intrathecal or extrathecal pathology by holding extended legs 2 inches off the table for 30 seconds?
MILGRAM’S TEST
What part of the patient would you hold to perform Hoover’s (liar) test?
HEELS IN PALMS OF HANDS
looking for pressure as opposite foot raised
What tests facet joints?
KEMP’S TEST
A positive segmental instability test will result in low back pain with pressure, when the patient is ____________.
RELAXED
contracture makes the pain go away
