Nerve Tension Tests Flashcards
ULNT1 (Median Nerve Bias), Testing Position
Shoulder: Depression and Abduction (110 degrees)
Elbow: Extension
Forearm: Supination
Wrist: Extension
Fingers: Extension
Shoulder (additional): null
Cervical Spine: Contralateral Side Flexion
ULNT3 (Radial Nerve Bias), Testing Position
Shoulder: Depression, IR, Abduction (40), Extension (25).
Elbow: Extension
Forearm: Pronation
Wrist: Flexion + Ulnar Deviation
Fingers: Flexion
Shoulder (additional): IR
Cervical Spine: Contralateral Side Flexion
ULNT4 (Ulnar Nerve Bias), Testing Position
Shoulder: Depresion + Abduction, Hand to Ear
Elbow: Flexion
Forearm: Pronation
Wrist: Extension + Radial Deviation
Fingers: Extension
Shoulder (additional): ER
Cervical Spine: Contralateral Side Flexion
What side should be tested first during ULNT tests?
Test the “good” side or uninvolved side first
When are Nerve Tension Tests Contraindicated?
Neurological Signs are Worsening
Damage in the Acute Phase
When positioning the shoulder what motion is essential and should be maintained?
CONSTANT Shoulder Depression!
What motion should be applied to the Cervical Spine during all Upper Limb Tension Tests?
Contralateral Lateral Flexion
What constitutes a Positive (pathological) upper limb tension test?
Reproduction of patients symptoms (MOST IMPORTANT FINDING)
Different symptoms felt in Right and Left sides
Straight Leg Raising Test (Lasegue’s Test), Testing Procedure?
Patient in Supine
Hip: Flexion + Adduction
Knee: Extension
Ankle: Dorsiflexion
Nerve Bias: Sciatic Nerve + Tibial Nerve
Therapist passively flexes the hip until onset of pain or tightness in back of leg
During a SLR Test, what inference can be made if the patient is experiencing reproduction of “Back Pain Only”?
Pathology causing pressure is more central
Disc prolapse may be Smaller/More Central
During a SLR Test, what inference can be made if the patient is experiencing reproduction of pain primarily in the leg
Expecting a more lateral lesion
During a SLR Test, what additional motions can be done to further sensitize neural tissues?
Ankle Dorsiflexion (usually done first)
or
Cervical Flexion
Slump Test (ST1), Testing Position + What Tissues are being biased?
Cervical Spine: Flexion
Thoracic and Lumbar Spine: Flexion
Hip: (90 degrees +)
Knee: Extension
Ankle: Dorsiflexion
Nerve Bias: Spinal Cord, Cervical and Lumbar Roots, Sciatic Nerve
Long Sitting Slump Test (ST4)
Cervical Spine: Flexion, Rotation
Thoracic and Lumbar Spine: Flexion (Slump)
Hip: Flexion (90 degrees +)
Knee: Extension
Ankle: Dorsiflexion
Nerve Bias: Spinal Cord, Cervical and Lumbar Roots, Sciatic Nerve
Cross (Well Leg Sign) SLR5, Testing Procedure + What is Indicated
Testing of the Uninvolved side, reproduces symptoms in the Involved side, the uninvolved side or both.
Hip: Flexion + Adduction
Knee: Extension
Ankle: Dorsiflexion
Nerve Bias Nerve Root (Significant Nerve Root Compression) (Disc Prolapse)
What can be inferred if pain occurs after 70 degrees of stretch during SLR?
Joint pain from lumbar area or sacroiliac joints
Possible Hamstring Tightness
What testing procedure can be utilized if a patient is unable to tolerate lying in supine during the SLR test?
Side Lying
With the Addition of foot inversion during the SLR (SLR3) what nerve tissue is being biased?
Sural Nerve
With the Addition of ankle plantar flexion + foot inversion during the SLR (SLR4) what nerve tissue is being biased?
Common Peroneal Nerve
