L-Spine - Special Test

Question 1

Lasegue’s Test (SLR)

Answer 1

purpose: Assess neural tension of sciatic nerve or disc herniation

perform: Patient supine; examiner passively raises straight leg with knee extended.

positive: Pain 30–70° = sciatic tension; pain relieved with ankle PF or neck flexion = nerve-related

Question 2

Femoral Nerve Traction Test

Answer 2

purpose: Assess femoral nerve irritation (L2–L4)

perform: Patient prone; flex knee and extend hip while stabilizing pelvis.

positive: Anterior thigh pain = positive

Question 3

Valsalva Maneuver

Answer 3

purpose: Space-occupying lesion (disc herniation, tumor)

perform: Patient seated; asked to bear down as if during bowel movement.

positive: Increased pain or radicular symptoms = positive = increased intrathecal pressure

Question 4

Babinski Reflex

Answer 4

purpose: UMN lesion

perform: Use blunt object to stroke plantar surface of foot from heel to toe.

positive: Extension of great toe and fanning of toes = positive

Question 5

Quadrant Test (Kemp’s)

Answer 5

purpose: Facet dysfunction or nerve root compression

perform: Patient standing; extends spine, sidebends and rotates to painful side with overpressure.

positive: Pain = facet issue or radicular symptoms = nerve root

Question 6

Stork Standing Test

Answer 6

purpose: Spondylolisthesis - pars interarticularis stress fracture

perform: Patient stands on one leg and extends spine. Repeat bilaterally.

positive: Pain in lumbar spine = positive

Question 7

McKenzie Side Glide Test

Answer 7

purpose: Discogenic symptoms or lateral shift correction

perform: Patient standing; examiner stabilizes pelvis and side glides trunk toward midline.

positive: Centralization of pain = disc involvement

Question 8

Bicycle Test (Van Gelderen’s)

Answer 8

purpose: Differentiates between intermittent claudication and spinal stenosis (neurogenic)

perform: Patient cycles upright until symptoms. Repeat with trunk flexed forward.

positive: Pain relieved in flexion = neurogenic; persistent = vascular

Question 9

Prone Instability Test

Answer 9

purpose: Lumbar segmental instability

perform: Patient prone with legs off table and feet on ground. Apply PA pressure to lumbar spine. Then lift feet and repeat.

positive: Pain with feet down relieved when feet lifted = positive