Special testing Flashcards
What is Spurling’s Test used for on a client?
This is used for assessing for a C-Spine nerve root compression / Facet joint irritation.
How is the Spurling’s Test performed?
Client seated, Stand behind client.
Cnt slowly Extends, Sind bends and Rotates head to the affected side.
Apply compression down on the clients head.
What is a Positive Spurling’s Test?
Indicated by radiating pain or other neurological signs in the arm on the affected side.
What is a Cervical Compression test?
This is used on a client that cannot turn their head in the proper motion for a Spurling’s Test.
How would you perform a Cervical Compression test?
Client seated and stand behind the client.
With the clients head in a neutral position apply downward compression on the clients head.
What is a Cervical Distraction test?
This is used to relive pressure on the cervical nerve roots.
Used following: Spurling’s & or Cervical Compression.
How would you perform a Cervical Distraction test?
Place client is seated or supine, grasp head on Occiput and temporal areas, return head to anatomically neutral position.
Apply traction in superior position for 30 secs to allow cervical muscles to relax.
What is a positive Cervical Distraction test?
A reduction of the clients pain is a Positive test.
This may be due to receiving pressure on the facet joints, opening the intervertebral foreman & or reliving muscle spasms.
What is a Orbicularis Oris Test?
This test is used to confirm if a client present with Bell’s palsy.
How do you perform a Orbiularis Oris test?
The client is Seated or supine, instruct the client to keep their eyes closed.
gently try and open the clients eyes.
What is a Positive Orbiularis Oris test?
If the client is unable to resist the action of the MT opening their eyes.
The eye on the affected side will be open.
What is a Swallowing test?
Used to determine whether pain on swallowing is from a referral of SCM trigger point.
How do you perform a Swallowing test?
Client seated, Pincer grasp the SCM to find the most tender point and get client to swallow.
What is a positive result of a Swallowing test?
If the pain diminishes while the client is swallowing, the pain is due to the Trigger point found in the SCM.
What is a Scalene Cramp test?
Used to reproduce active trigger points in the Scalene muscles.
How do you perform a Scalene Cramp test?
Client in a seated position, Fully rotate head to affected side, Get client to flex head in this position into the direction of the Hollow posterior to the clavicle.
What is a Positive result for a Scalene cramp test?
This would be a Positive test if the client gets referred pain in the pattern of the scalene trigger point.
What is a Scalene relief test?
This is used to assess for active trigger points in the Anterior Scalene muscle.
How do you perform a Scalene relief test?
The client seated, client places forearm on the affected side across the forehead as close to the elbow as possible.
Get client to elevate and protract shoulder, This lifts the clavicle relieving any compression of the Scalene and the brachial plexus.
What is a positive result for a Scalene relief test?
A positive test for any Active trigger points in the anterior scalene is indicated by the reduction of pain within a few mins.
What is a AC Shear test?
It is used to assess the integrity of the AC joint.
How would you perform a AC Shear test?
Client seated, stand behind client.
Place cupped hands over the clients shoulder, fingers interlaced with one palm on the clavicle and the other oil the spine of the scapula.
How would you perform a AC Shear test?
Client seated, stand behind client.
Place cupped hands over the clients shoulder, fingers interlaced with one palm on the clavicle and the other oil the spine of the scapula.
Slowly push hands together.
What would a Positive result for a AC shear test be?
This would result in pain or excessive movement of the AC joint.
Indicating a joint pathology.
What is a Adhesive Capsulitis Abduction Test?
This test for restrictive movement at the shoulder joint resulting from (Fibrosing and adhesions of the axillary fold of the inferior GH joint capsule).
How would you perform a Adhesive Capsulitis Test?
client seated, stand behind client.
Palpate the inferior angle of the Scapula with one hand throughout the test.
with the other hand slowly passively move the clients humerus through abduction, the scap moves with abduction greater than 90*.
What would a Positive result for a Adhesive Capsulitis abduction test be?
A positive result for frozen shoulder: Painful leathery end feel anywhere before 90* and the Scapula moves before 90* in abduction as the Capsule is adhesive.
What is Adsion’s test?
This is used for assessing TOS caused by anterior Scalene muscle.
How is Adsion’s test performed?
Client seated, Stand behind client, Extend and Slightly externally rotate the clients affected Arm.
Monitor the radial Pulse of this arm.
Instruct Clients head towards the affected side, to slightly elevate the chin and take a deep breath holding it for at least 15-20 secs.
This action elevates the first rib, compressing the neurovascular bundle against the tight anterior scalene.
What is a Positive Adsion’s test?
Indicated by a diminished radial pulse or recurrence of the Clients symptoms.
What is a Costoclavicular Syndrome Test?
Used to assess TOS caused by compression of the neurovascular bundle between the clavicle and the first rib.
How would a Costoclavicular Syndrome test performed?
Client seated, stand behind client and monitor the affected arms radial pulse.
passively depress and retract the shoulder of the affected arm.
What is a positive result for a Costoclavicular Syndromee test?
It is indicated by a diminish in the radial pulse or an increase in symptoms.
What is a Drop Arm test?
Used to assess the integrity of the Rotator cuff muscles, more so the Supraspinatus muscle and its tendon.
How do you perform a Drop arm test?
Client Seated, Instruct client to abduct arm to 90* and hold in position.
Instruct client to slowly adduct the arm back to starting position.
What is a positive result for a Drop arm test?
This is a positive test if the client is unable to return the arm smoothly back to the their side or if there is pain on this attempt.
What is a Eden’s test?
Used to further assess compression of the Neurovascular bundle between the clavicle and the first rib.
How would you perform a Eden’s test?
Place the client in a standing position with arms by their side.
Stand behind Client to monitor the affected arms Radial pulse.
Instruct client to bring the shoulders as far into retraction and depression as possible.
What is a Positive result for a Eden’s test?
A positive test would be indicated by a Diminished radial pulse or an increase in symptoms.
What is a True Tibia and Femur Length test?
Used to assess the length of the tibia and the Femur.
How would you perform a True tibia and Femur length test?
Client supine, have both hips and knees flexed and planter surfaces of feet on the table.
Ankle malleoli are even and knees are together.
Stand at the end of the table and compare the tibial Tuberosity of each leg.
What is a positive result for a True tibia and Femur length test?
This is a comparative test of the Tibial Tuberosity of each leg.
Comparing heights and positions of patellas.
Looking for a Shorter femur.
What is a Noble’s Test?
Used to assess for the presence of IT band Friction syndrome.
How would you perform a Noble’s test?
Client supine, Both the affected hip and knee flexed to 90*.
Firmly compress the IT band 2 cm proximal from (i).
Instruct client to Extend hip and knee slowly while compression is maintained.
What is a Positive result for a Noble’s test?
If client complains of pain over the Lateral Condyle of the femur at about 30* of extension.
The client will present + for IT band friction syndrome.
What is Posterior “Sag” Sign (Also called Gravity Drawer Test)?
Used for Assessing the integrity of the PCL in the knee.
What is Posterior “Sag” Sign (Also called Gravity Drawer Test)?
Used for Assessing the integrity of the PCL in the knee.
How would you perform a Posterior Sign test?
Client Supine, hips flexed 45* and knees flexed 90* with feet flat on table.
In this position the tibia is able to drop posteriorly if the PCL is torn.
What is a positive result for a Posterior Sign test?
If the affected tibia “sags” or moves posteriorly in respect to the knee joint.
What is a Waldron’s Test?
Used to assess for Patellofemoral Syndrome.
How do you perform a Waldron’s test?
Client Standing, Palpate Patella while client performs a number of Slow deep knee bends.
What is a positive result for a Waldron’s test?
If the client present with pain, Crepitus or poor patellar tracking.
What is a Ballottable Patella / Major Effusion test?
Used to assess for Major increase in synovial fluid with in the knee joint capsule following an acute knee injury.
How would you perform a Major Effusion Test?
Client supine, with affected knee extended as much as possible.
When there is swelling in the knee the client will likely hold the knee in slight flexion.
Gently but firmly extend the knee. Compress the patella down on to the condyles and release it.
What is a positive result for a Major Effusion test?
A + test is indicated by, If the patella clicks onto the femur and then rebounds to the floating position.
It is positive for major swelling.
Things that may cause this include:
Torn Cruciate ligaments, Meniscal tearing or fractures.
What is a Brush / Minor Effusion Test?
Used to assess for lesser amounts of synovial fluid within the knee joint after an Acute knee injury.
How would you perform a minor Effusion test?
Client supine, With clients knees in as much extension as possible, attempt to slowly brush or sweep the effusion from the superior lateral Aspect of the knee and supracondylar pouch.
What would a negative test result for a Minor Effusion test be?
If the effusion doesn’t move - it is likely an extra capsular interstitial edema.
What is a Positive result for a Minor Effusion test?
Indicating Emergency medical Attention.
Fluid present may take up to 1-2 secs to appear inferiorly to the Patella.
What would a negative test result for a Minor Effusion test be?
If the effusion doesn’t move - it is likely an extra capsular interstitial edema.
What is a Valgus Stress test?
Used to assess the integrity of the structures that prevent a medial Instability at the Knee.
MCL.
How would you perform a Valgus stress test?
Client Supine, Stabilize affected leg in slight Ext Rot with one hand on the medial malleolus & the other hand on the later aspect of the knee in full Ext.
Apply Medially directed stress on the lateral knee.
As you apply this pressure you’re assessing the MCL & with the knee in 20-30* flexion both Cruciate ligaments.
What is a positive test result for a Valgus Stress test?
A + result is when either full knee extension or 20-30* of flexion is indicated by pain in the injured tissues and excessive movement or gapping at the medial aspect of the knee.
What is a Varus Stress test (knee)?
Used to assess the integrity of the structures that prevent lateral instability at the knee.
LCL.
How would you perform a Varus Stress test?
Client Supine, Stabilize the affected leg in slight ext rot with one hand on the lateral malleolus and the other hand on the medial aspect of the knee and with knee in full ext.
Apply lateral stress on the medial knee.
As you apply this pressure you’re assessing the joint capsule, LCL and both Cruciate ligaments.
What is a positive result for a Varus Stress test?
In either full Ext or in 20-30* of flexion is indicated Pain in the injured tissues and excessive movement or gapping at the lateral Aspect of the knee.
What is Lachman’s Test?
Used for assessing the integrity of the ACL.
How would you perform a Lachman’s Test?
Client supine with the affected knee in 30* of flexion.
This places the knee in the position where the ACL plays the max functional role.
This position also reduces the stabilizing effect of the menisci and the bony lip at the posterior aspect of both tibia condyles.
Stabilize the distal femur with one hand and grasp the proximal tibia in the other hand.
Apply anteriorly directed stress on the tibia.
What is a positive result for Lachman’s Test?
A + test indicates damage to the ACL.
When there is pain with an acute injury.
An excessive anterior motion of the tibia and a Disappearance of the infrapatellar tendon slope.
What is a Patellar Apprehension test?
Used to assess if the patella is likely to Dislocate laterally.
How would you perform a Patellar Apprehension test?
Client supine, With knee in extension.
Use slow moderate pressure against the medial aspect of the patella while moving it in the lateral direction and watching the clients face.
What is a positive result for a Patellar Apprehension test?
Indicated by a pained, apprehension, or the client may try to move the knee away from the pressure.
What is a Helfet’s Test?
Used to assess the client for Dynamic rotary function of the tibia.
How would you perform a Helfet’s Test?
Client Seated with legs hanging over edge of the table.
Tibial Tuberosity is perpendicular to the Midline of the patella.
Slowly extend the clients knee.
Assess how the Tibial tuberosity moves over the condyles of the Femur, Most in the last few degrees of extension.
What is a positive result for a Helfet’s test?
An absence of the slight lateral tibial motion.
Indicating torn Meniscus or injured cruciate ligament.
It will be physically blocking the Extension motion.
What is a McMurray’s Test?
Used to assess for injury to the Menisci of the knee.
How would you perform a McMurray’s Test?
Client supine With hip and knee in flexion, Cup one hand over clients knee with palm over patella and fingers and thumb over joint line.
With the other hand grasp the clients heel.
Slowly extend the leg while applying different pressures.
Read notes to elaborate.
What is a positive test result for a McMurray’s Test?
Indicated by a Click or catch in extension of the knee.
However a negative test does not rule out a Meniscal injury.
What is a Bragard’s Sign (Test)?
Used to assess for Meniscal Tearing.
How would you perform a Bragard’s Sign?
Client supine with hip and knee flexed.
Externally rotate the Tibia with one hand while extending the knee.
With one hand stabilize proximal to the knee.
What is a positive test result for a Bragard’s Sign?
A positive result is indicated by by pain or tenderness along the medial Aspect o the joint line indicates medial meniscus injury.
Internal rotation of the tibia Should decrease the pain.
What is a Apley’s compression Test?
Used to assess for meniscal injury to the knee.
How would you perform a Apley’s Compression test?
Client prone with affected knee flexed 90*.
Compress the flexed knee joint and the menisci by pushing the clients foot and tibia down into the table followed by internal & External Rotation.
What is a positive test result for a Apley’s compression test?
If the client reports any pain on the medial Aspect of the knee joint.
This means the test is positive for medial meniscal injury while pain on the lateral indicates lateral meniscal damage.
What is a Apley’s Distraction test?
Used to assess the integrity of the Collateral knee ligaments.
How would you perform a Apley’s Distraction test?
Client prone with knees flexed to 90*.
Stabilize clients leg by placing your leg on the posterior thigh.
Grasp clients leg proximal to the ankle.
Apply traction superiorly, Then apply internal and External rotation.
What is a Positive result for a Apley’s distraction test?
The client repots pain on the medial side of the knee the test is positive for MCL damage.
If the client repots pain lateral then it is positive for LCL injury.
If the client reports pain on one of the sides or both of the knee.
What is a Coronary Ligamentous Stress test?
Used to assess the coronary ligament.
How would you perform a Coronary Ligamentous stress test?
Client supine with knees extended.
Passively externally rotate the clients tibia on the femur.
What is a positive result for a Coronary Ligamentous Stress test?
Pain on external rotation of the tibia is positive for coronary ligament Sprain.
With a sprain to this ligament there is no pain on a Valgus Stress test.
What is a Clark’s Patellofemoral Grind test?
Used to assess for patellofemoral Syndrome.
How would you perform a Clark’s Patellofemoral Grind test?
Client Supine with knees extended.
Compress patella posteriorly onto the femoral condyles and then with moderate pressure move the patella distally.
Instruct client to contact quads which will pull the patella proximally.
What is a positive Clark’s Patellofemoral Grind test?
If there is apprehension, pain or crepitus as the irritated surfaces of the patella move over the femur.
The test is uncomfortable for most clients so it should be repeated with increasing pressures to search for results.
What is a McConnel’s Test?
Used to assess for Patellofemoral tracking problems.
How would you perform a McConnel’s Test?
Client seated with legs hanging over table.
Instruct client to Ext Rot the femur of affected leg while performing AR isometric contraction with Quads @:
0 - 30 - 60 - 90 -120* of flexion.
Note the painful ranges.
Then passively bring the clients leg to full Ext, resting the heel on your knee to allow the client to relax mm.
glide patella laterally and hold in position.
Instruct client to perform Isometric contractions at the ranges that were affected.
What is a Positive result for a McConne’s Test?
It’s a + test for Patellofemoral lateral tracking problems if the pain decreased A lot.
… check notes for medial Tracking problems.
What is a Upper limb tension test?
It is a set of 4 test used to determine, whether cervical nerve roots and peripheral nerves are the source of clients shoulder / Arm pain.
What is ULTT1?
Used to assess C5 - C7, the median nerves as the source of the client shoulder or Arm pain.
How would you perform ULTT1?
And the humerus to 110, Ext arm to 10 and to 60* of external rotation.
A stretching sensation is normally felt across the anterior shoulder.
Slowly ext the clients wrist and fingers.
Fully supinate the forearm, then slowly extend the elbow.
What is a Positive result for a ULTT1?
A positive result for this test is if you reproduce the clients symptoms.
What is ULTT2?
Used to assess the median, musculocutaneous and axillary nerves.
How would you perform a ULTT2?
Depress the clients shoulder & abd the humerus to 10*.
Slowly ext the Wrist & Fingers.
Fully supinate the forearm and extend the elbow.
Tissue tightness in the shoulder or elbow or tingling in the fingers is a normal response.
What is a Positive Result for a ULTT2?
A Positive test is reproduction of the clients symptoms.
What is a ULTT3 test?
Used to assess the Radial Nerve?
How would you perform a ULTT3?
Depress the clients shoulder & Abd the humerus to 10*.
Slowly flex the wrist and fingers and deviate them ulnary.
Fully pronate the forearm and extend the elbow, As before tissue tightness and tingling are normal.
What is a positive result for a ULTT3?
A reproduction of the clients symptoms.
What is a ULTT4 test?
Used to assess C8 and T1 nerve roots and Radial nerve.
How would you perform a ULTT4?
Depress the clients shoulder & Abd the humerus to 90*.
Flex the elbow, brining the hand towards the clients ear.
Supinate the Forearm.
Slowly ext the wrist and fingers and deviate them radialy.
What is a positive result for a ULTT4?
A reproduction of the clients symptoms.
What is a Neer Impingement test?
Used to assess for overuse injury to the Supraspinatus tendon.
How would you perform a Near impingement test?
Client seated, Passively flex the clients humerus through its ROM compressing the tendons on the Acromion.
What is a Positive result for a Neer impingement test?
Pain is an indication of a positive result.
What is a Hawkin’s-Kennedy impingement test?
This is a Variation of the Need impingement test.
How would you perform a Hawkin’s-Kennedy impingement test?
Flex the clients arm through the ROM and have the arm internally rotated.
This will compress the Supraspinatous tendon on the coracoid process.
What is a Positive result for a Hawkin’s-Kennedy impingement test?
Pain indicates a positive result.
What is a Painful Arc test?
Used to assess the subacromial impingement of the Supraspinatus tendon and Subacromial Bursae.
How would you perform a Painful arc test?
Instruct the client to abduct their humerus through the full ROM.
What is a positive result for a Painful Arc test?
Pain starting at about 70* and ending around 130* of abduction.
The pain must be lessened after 130*.
May need to assist the client.
What is a Apely’s Scratch test?
It is a Comparison test.
What is a Shoulder Apprehension test (AF)?
Used to explore the GH joint dislocation only when the injury has made it to the chronic stage of healing.
How would you perform a Shoulder apprehension test (AF)?
Instruct client to move arm slowly into the position where the dislocation took place.
What is a positive result for a Shoulder Apprehension test (AF)?
Look for apprehension on the clients face or unwillingness to complete the ROM.
This would indicate a + test and means the GH joint capsule is likely unstable.
With a + result do not perform (PR) ROM testing to avoid further injury. Instead use (AR) isometric testing of the mms that cross the GH joint. If the (AF) test is negative progress to the (PR) apprehension test.
What is a Shoulder Apprehension test (PR)?
Used to passively assess the integrity of the GH joint capsule following a chronic dislocation.
How would you perform a Shoulder Apprehension Test (PR)?
Slowly move the arm and joint towards the position in which the injury took place.
Slowly abduct the client’s arm.
Monitor the client’s face for signs of Apprehension that the joint may re-dislocate, while slowly Ext rotating the Humerus.
What is a Positive result for a Shoulder Apprehension test (PR)?
A + test is indicated by the clients look of Apprehension or pulls away.
The end feel is empty.
Indicating either the joint capsule has not fully healed or the severity of the dislocation has compromised the joint stability.
What is a Supraspinatus Strength test? (AR)
Used to assess the Supraspinatus for Tenditis, Strain and or Weakness.
How would you performa Supraspinatus Strength test? (AR)
Client seated, instruct client to abduct the humerus to 90* then adduct the humerus to 30*.
Get client to internally rotate the arm
apply resistance.