MSK Special Tests Flashcards
Shoulder ABD Test (provocation test)
Tests for nerve root compression. ABD shoulder resting hand on head. Positive if position decreases pain (decreases tension pressure on peripheral nerves). May be easier in supine, if hand on head relieves pain - Bakody’s Sign.
Cervical Distraction (provocation test)
Sitting or supine. Test for nerve root compression, if c/o radiating pain. Distraction might relieve symptoms.
Spurling’s Test (provocation test)
Assessing nerve root or facet joint involvement. Apply compressive force to neutral head, progress to combined cervical ext. and side bend/rotation. Radiating pain within dermatomal pattern - nerve root. Localized pain facet joint.
Seated Vertebral Basilar Insufficiency (VBI) Clearing exam test
Cervical extension, SB & rotation. Hold for 60 sec, looking for 5 D’s (Dizziness, Drop Attacks, Diplopia, Dysarthria, Dysphagia) or 3 N’s (Nausea, Numbness, Nystagmus)
Modified Sharp-Purser Test (clearing exam test)
Test for upper cervical instability (transverse ligament). Seated w/ slight chin tuck, place one hand stabilizing C2 and provide posterior translation on forehead. Symptoms or excess mobility = positive.
Alar Ligament Stress Test (clearing exam test)
Testing upper cervical instability (alar ligament). Seated palpate/stabilize C2 and passively SB C-spine. Should feel firm end feel if intact.
Kick Test (clearing exam test)
Palpate spinous process of C2, SB or rotate. Should feel C2 kick out from under hand toward opposite direction of motion if intact.
C-spine active/passive mobility assessment (quality/quantity).
Flexion, Extension, Rotation, Side bending, C1-C2 mobility test.
Deep Neck Flexor Assessment
Tests muscle performance. Lying supine have pt chin tuck and lift head 1 inch from table. Hold as long as able to keep integrity of position.
Passive SLR Test
Special Neurological Test (Lumbar spine). Tests lumbar spine and/or nerve root. Passively lift leg w/ knee extended, if does not reproduce pain include hip IR –> ADD –> DF. Can also have pt flex cervical spine. Compare bilaterally.
Slump Test
Special Neurological Tests (Lumbar spine). Neural tension test used to detect altered neurodynamics or neural tissue sensitivity. Seated w/ arms behind back for neutral spine, start by slumping thoracic and lumbar spine. If no symptoms, flex neck to chest and extend knee. If knee ext. triggers pain, have pt ext. neck. Relief of symptoms indicates neural tension.
