Special tests of lower limbs

Question 1

Thompson test

Answer 1

tests for flexibility of hip flexors

• patient lies supine on plinth
• lifts both legs up to chest and wraps hand around other leg
• patient then drops the other leg
• if the dropped leg stays flexed the iliopsoas muscle is affected

Question 2

Thomas test

Answer 2

Test for rupture of the achilles tendon

• patient lies prone on the plinth
• physio squeezes muscle belly of gastroc
• if no plantar flexion is present achilles is ruptured

Question 3

Modified Schober’s test

Answer 3

Tests for lumbar flexion
- patient is standing and both superior iliac spines are marked on their back
- marks are made 5 cm below and 10 cm above
- patient then flexes and distance is measured
Increase of less than 5 cm is positive

Question 4

Straight leg raise

Answer 4

Test for disc herniation
- patient lie supine
- physio places hand around patients heel and other hand on thigh
- lifts the leg while keeping it fully extended
- lifts until complaint from patient
If symptoms are back pain disc herniation is most likely

Question 5

Anterior drawer test

Answer 5

Tests integrity of the medial and lateral ligaments

• patient lies supine and ankle is flexed 20 degrees
• heel rests in palm of examiners hand and front of leg is fixed to the plinth
• physio then pulls the heel towards the toes
• observing the amount of anterior translation at the ankle