Special Tests of the Spine

Question 1

What does the compression test do?

Answer 1

Compresses the SIJ bilaterally

Question 2

How to perform compression test?

Answer 2

Palpate the patients iliac crest, place both hands onto bulk of pts hips just
distal to this.
Make sure your shoulders are directly above the hands & elbows
extended.
Push vertically downwards directly to the bed.
Test both sides.

Question 3

What is the distraction test for?

Answer 3

Gaps the posterior SIJ capsule - applying a stretch

Question 4

How to perform the distraction test?

Answer 4

Palpate ASIS

Peel of hand either side of bulk of hip distal to ASIS

Get low and level - push iliac crests apart

Question 5

What is the thigh thrust test doing?

Answer 5

Posterior shearing force on the opposite side to the test side

Question 6

How to perform the thigh thrust test?

Answer 6

CONSENT
Pt supine close to edge of bed

Ask patient to bend knee furthest from you towards their chest

Roll them towards you and place hand palm down under sacrum

place knee into axilla - apply downwards pressure on knee

Question 7

What is the gaenslens test doing?

Answer 7

Posterior rotation of the ilium on the sacrum of the flexed side

Anterior rotation of sacrum on the other side

Question 8

How to perform the gaenslens test?

Answer 8

Pt supine close to edge of bed

Ask patient to bend knee furthest from you towards their chest and hold on

Assist patient to lower foot off edge of bed - apply gentle pressure with forearm on lower leg and hand onto flexed leg

Question 9

What is the Hoffmann’s test for?

Answer 9

Reflex test for UL - checks for UMN lesion effecting corticospinal tract

Question 10

How to perform the Hoffmann’s test?

Answer 10

Hold middle phalanx of middle finger

Hold edge of middle finger nail - ‘flick’ downwards using thumb

Watch the index finger and thumb to see if they move together

repeat 6 times