Special Test of the Trunk, Low Back and Abdomen

Question 1

What are all the Special test for the Trunk, Low back and abdomen?

Answer 1

Strength Tests, Kemp’s, Kernig’s, QL AR / Length, Rib palpation, Scoliosis Short leg, Scoliosis small hemipelvis, Slump, SLR, Valsalva’s.

Question 2

What does Kemp’s Test assess for?

Answer 2

Assess for nn root compression, usually due to a discal lesion or facet joint irritation in the lumbar spine.

Question 3

How is Kemp’s test performed?

Answer 3

Client standing,
Instruct client to slowly Ext, side bend and rot the thorax to the affected side.
Slide hand inferiorly to the affected sides posterior knee.

Question 4

What is a positive sign from a Kemp’s Test?

Answer 4

Indicated by radiating pain or other neurological signs in the affected leg.
A false positive is indicated from a severe unilateral mm spasm.

Question 5

What does Kernig’s test Assess for?

Answer 5

Used to stretch the dural tube and spinal cord to reproduce pain caused by nn root involvement, meningeal irritation or dural irritation.

Question 6

What is a positive result indicated by when testing Kernig’s?

Answer 6

If client feels pain along the spine and sometimes in a referral pattern to a limb.

Question 7

How is Kernig’s test performed?

Answer 7

Client supine, client cups hands behind head.
Instruct client to flex head to the chest and indicate if pain is present.
Next client flexes one hip with knee in ext.

Question 8

What does Scoliosis Short leg test Assess for?

Answer 8

Used to assess a short leg that contributes to Functional Scoliosis.

Question 9

How is Scoliosis Short leg test performed?

Answer 9

Client Standing,
observe the iliac crest and AC joint levels bilaterally, noting any lateral tilt and scoliotic curve.
Place foot “Lift” under the suspected short leg, correcting the pelvic tilt.

Question 10

What is a positive result when testing Scoliosis Short leg?

Answer 10

If the curve of the functional scoliosis corrects itself than the test is positive for Functional Scoliosis due to short leg.

Question 11

What does Scoliosis Small Hemipelvis test Assess for?

Answer 11

Assess for a small Hemipelvis that would contribute to a functional scoliosis.

Question 12

What is a positive result from Scoliosis Small Hemipelvis?

Answer 12

If the curve neutralizes, the test is positive for functional scoliosis due to small hemipelvis.

Question 13

How is Scoliosis Small hemipelvis performed?

Answer 13

Client seated,
Observe the Iliac crest and AC joint levels bilaterally, noting any lateral tilt and scoliotic curve.
Place a ischial lift under the lower side, correcting the pelvic tilt.

Question 14

What will happen if you place the lift for small hemipelvis under the high side?

Answer 14

The functional scoliosis curve will worsen.

Question 15

What does Slump test assess for?

Answer 15

A variation of Kernig’s,
Used to stretch the dural tube and spinal cord to reproduce pain caused by nn root involvement, meningeal irritation, dural irritation.

Question 16

What is a positive result from a slump test?

Answer 16

A positive test is indicated if client feels pain along spine and sometimes in a referral pattern to a limb at any point during the test.

Question 17

How is a Slump test performed?

Answer 17

Client seated,
allowing the lumbar and thoracic spine to slump through flexion.
Instruct client to flex head to chest.
CX extends knee, followed by ankle dorsiflexion.
The other leg does the same if the client feels symptoms.
Unaffected first.

Question 18

What does Straight leg raise assess for?

Answer 18

Used to help assess for the cause fo low back pain.

Question 19

What is a positive result from a Straight leg raise test?

Answer 19

Pain reported in posterior thigh and knee on hip flexion only is positive for hamstring tightness.

Pain reported in low back after 70* of hip flexion without ankle flexion to stretch the sciatic nn, is positive for lumbar or SI joint involvment only.

Question 20

How is a Straight leg raise test performed?

Answer 20

Client supine with affected leg in adduction and slight internal rot,
Raise the affected leg by grasping around the calcaneus and flexing the hip.
Flex the hip until the client indicates pain.
Slowly lower the leg until pain is not reported.