Special Tests - Spine

Question 1

What is the Cervical Flexion Rotation Test testing for?

What indicates a positive test?

Describe the test

Answer 1

1. Atlantoaxial joint restriction OR to provoke cervicogenic headache
2. Positive test is indicated by less than 45 degrees of rotation in either direction

Question 2

What is the Distraction Test testing for?

What indicates a positive test?

Describe the test

Answer 2

1. Cervical Nerve Root Compression
2. Positive test is indicated a decrease in pain with the distraction force

Question 3

What is the Foraminal Compression Test (Spurling’s) testing for?

What indicates a positive test?

Describe the test

Answer 3

1. Cervical Nerve Root Compression
2. Positive test is indicated pain radiating into the arm toward the flexed side

Question 4

What is the Vertebral Artery Test testing for?

What indicates a positive test?

Describe the test

Answer 4

1. Compression of the Vertebral Artery
2. Positive test is indicated by dizziness, nystagmus, slurred speech, or loss of consciousness

Question 5

What is the Gaenslen’s Test testing for?

What indicates a positive test?

Describe the test

Answer 5

1. SI Joint dysfunction, pubic symphysis instability, hip pathology, or an L4 nerve root lesion.
2. Positive test is indicated pain

Question 6

What is the Sacral Thrust Test testing for?

What indicates a positive test?

Describe the test

Answer 6

1. SI joint dysfunction
2. Positive test is indicated by pain over the SI joint

Question 7

What is the Sacroiliac Compression Test testing for?

What indicates a positive test?

Describe the test

Answer 7

1. Sprain of the posterior SI ligaments
2. Positive test is indicated by pain in the SI joint

Question 8

What is the Sacroiliac Distraction Test testing for?

What indicates a positive test?

Describe the test

Answer 8

1. Sprain of the anterior SI ligaments
2. Positive test is indicated pain in the SI joint, glutes or posterior leg

Question 9

What is the Slump Test testing for?

What indicates a positive test?

Describe the test

Answer 9

1. LE Neural tension
2. If the patient cannot fully extend their knee because of pain, the therapist then asks the patient to extend their neck and try to extend their knee again. If symptoms decrease with cervical extension or the patient can extend their knee farther the test is positive for neural tension

Question 10

What is the Straight Leg Raise Test testing for?

What indicates a positive test?

Describe the test

Answer 10

1. Neural tension or a lesion within the spinal cord (disc herniation).
2. The PT flexes the patients hip with their knee extended, once the patient complains of pain or tightness in their low back or posterior knee, reset with the ankle in dorsiflexion or the chin tucked. If the symptoms return on the second round, then the test is positive for neural tension or a lesion within the spinal cord (disc herniation).

Question 11

What is the Thigh Thrust Test testing for?

What indicates a positive test?

Describe the test

Answer 11

1. SI dysfunction
2. Positive test is indicated by pain in the SI joint