Test INTERPRETATION/WHAT TISSUE STRUCTURE DOES THIS TEST

LOAD? For you to complete

Squat test Testing ankles, knees and hips for pathology. Be cautious with elderly
and do not perform on pregnant women.

Lumbar Kemps Neurgenic claudication indicated if pain is reproduced during

test extension ipsilateral rotation with lateral flexion in the ipsilateral IVF

Djerine’s triad Testing for IVD herniation -low back pain/thigh pain
(Valsalva, cough,
sneeze)

Flip or Two phases to this test, sitting passive knee extension, followed by
Bechterew’s test passive single straight leg raise. If both are +ve then sciatic nerve
distribution suspected. If only one produces pain then look to the
llumbar spine

Straight leg Passive test – unilateral +ve pain at 70 degrees hip flexion in nerve
raising test (SLR) roots commonly L5, S1, S2

Well straight leg Space-occupying lesion in +ve pain down leg which is not passively
raising test raised
(WSLR)

Braggard’s test If pain is present during SLR then examiner reduces flexion until no
pain and dorsi flexes the ankle +ve pain in dura mater of spinal cord

Bowstring’s test SLR pain, flex knee with thigh position maintained, practitioners
thumbs on popliteal tissue to reproduce sciatic nerve tension

Bonnet’s test Passive – hip flexion to 45 degrees flexion with internal rotation +ve
pain sciatic nerve irritation

Kernigs test Active test – similar to SLR. Active flexion of neck with active flexion
of leg at hip. +ve pain during movement = meningeal irritation, nerve
root or dural irritation

Sign of the Passive – unilateral SLR, looking for restriction. Performed again with
buttock knee flexed to compare. +ve = no change in range bursitis, tumour or
abcess, -ve = change in range during flexed knee hip flexion which
 indicates lumbar involvement

Slump test Testing neuromeningeal tract – passive test

Milgrams test Supine position, active flexion of extended leg for 30sec +ve IVD
space occupying lesion

Sacral thrust Lumbar-Sacral junction lesion L5-S1 or anywhere in the sacrum.

(Springing the Pathology of the Sacraltuberous and Sacralischial ligaments.
sacrum)

SIJ distraction

SIJ compression

Thigh thrust

Gaenslen Ipsilateral SIJ lesion, hip pathology, L4 nerve root lesion. +ve = pain in
SIJ

Nachlas test Tight rec fem muscle before full PROM prone hip extension with knee
(prone knee flexion, radicular pain L3 nerve root lesion.
bending

Ely’s test +ve = L2-L4 and/or tension in rec fem on flexion of knee to opposing
buttock in supine position.

Yeoman’s test +ve = SIJ or Lumbar spine pain during extension or either hips (knee
flexed) with stabilised pelvis

Lumbar Gradual pressure centrally and unilaterally applied with brisk release.
springing test Pain is noted as +ve at vertebral level

Stoop test Neurogenic Claudication relationship to posture and walking. Walking

briskly for 1min, pain in buttocks and lower leg will appear. Patient
flexes forwards to relieve pain or sits and forward flexes. -ve if flexion
does not relieve pain. Extension may also bring symptoms back.
Hoover test Malingering. +ve if no pressure if felt through examiners hands from
the calcaneus of the leg not being actively lifted by the patient.

Trendelenberg’s +ve if opposite pelvis does not rise during hip flexion of tested side.
test Indicates instability of pelvis – gluteus medius on opposite side or hip
joint on affected side.

Patrick Fabere Iliopsoas shortening or SIJ lesion. +ve if knee does not touch table or
test does not finish parallel to opposite thigh.

Thomas test Shortened iliopsoas (psoas ++) and/or rec fem. +ve if knee extends
for rec fem or thigh is not touching the table for iliopsoas shortening.

Test for true leg Measure form umbilicus to lateral malleolus. Then from greater
length trochanter to lateral malleolus. If there is difference ascertain if it is
tibial (medial side of knee joint line to medial malleolus) or if it is
femoral shortening (Greater trochanter to lateral knee joint line).

Ober’s test ITB & Gluteus Medius restriction in particular. +ve = knee held of table
through contracture of tight muscles.

Pelvic Rock test

Homer pheasant Aim is to decrease the IVF for up to 5min. +ve pain in hyperextension
test of spine, indicates unstable spine segment and neurogenic
claudication. Achilles reflex can also be checked.

Schober test Lumbo-pelvic movement in flexion/extension between two measured

points. S2 – 10cm above & 5cm below. -ve increased measurement
during flexion and decreased measurement during extension

Bicycle test of Patient cycles in trunk extension to increase lumbar lordosis, pain in
Van Felderen buttocks and thigh followed by tingling = +ve part 1. Patient then leans
forward whilst still peddling if the pain diminishes = +ve. Neurogenic
Claudication.
1. An L4 disc pathology can lead to weakness of which muscle?
a. Peroneus longus
b. Quadriceps
c. Extensor hallicus longus
d. Gluteus maximus

2. Which of the following would be evident with an UMNL?

a. hyporeflexia
b. spasticity
c. flaccidity
d. fasciculations

3. If you detect ankle clonus in a patient, where is the location of the lesion?
a. Ankle
b. Spinothalamic tract
c. Nerve root
d. Corticospinal tract