Cervical SpineTEST 01
Spurling Test
Purpose: Assess whether cervical foraminal loading reproduces familiar arm symptoms consistent with nerve-root irritation.
PNA Clinical Skills Library
MSK Special Tests
Learn what each test is for, exactly how to apply it, what makes it positive, and what the finding actually means. Clear, practical English for clinical learning, OSCE preparation and supervised practice.
93 clinical tests8 body regionsStep-by-step proceduresPositive signs & interpretation
Applying method
Patient setup, stabilization and three practical performance steps.
Purpose & positive sign
Know what you are testing and what to watch or feel for.
Clinical reasoning & safety
Interpret findings carefully and avoid testing when unsafe.
Explore by body region
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93 tests found
Cervical SpineTEST 02
Cervical Distraction Test
Purpose: Examine whether unloading the cervical spine reduces radiating upper-limb symptoms.
Cervical SpineTEST 03
Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1 (Median-Biased)
Purpose: Assess upper-limb neural mechanosensitivity, often used when cervical radiculopathy or median nerve symptoms are considered.
Cervical SpineTEST 04
Shoulder Abduction Relief Sign (Bakody Sign)
Purpose: Check whether placing the symptomatic hand on the head changes cervical-origin arm pain.
Cervical SpineTEST 05
Cervical Flexion-Rotation Test
Purpose: Assess upper-cervical rotation restriction in selected patients with suspected cervicogenic headache.
Cervical SpineTEST 06
Hoffmann Sign
Purpose: Screen for possible upper motor neuron involvement in a wider cervical neurological examination.
Cervical SpineTEST 07
Cervical Rotation Range (Under 60 Degrees)
Purpose: Measure active cervical rotation; restricted rotation is one component of a clinical cluster sometimes used when cervical radiculopathy is suspected.
Cervical SpineTEST 08
Craniocervical Flexion Test
Purpose: Assess low-load deep neck-flexor motor control and ability to perform a small craniocervical nod without substitution.
Lumbar Spine & SI JointTEST 09
Straight Leg Raise (SLR / Lasègue)
Purpose: Assess neural mechanosensitivity and possible lumbosacral nerve-root-related leg pain.
Lumbar Spine & SI JointTEST 10
Crossed Straight Leg Raise
Purpose: Explore whether lifting the unaffected leg reproduces the familiar radicular pain in the symptomatic leg.
Lumbar Spine & SI JointTEST 11
Slump Test
Purpose: Assess neural mechanosensitivity in the spine and lower limb.
Lumbar Spine & SI JointTEST 12
Prone Knee Bend (Femoral Nerve Stretch)
Purpose: Assess anterior-thigh neural mechanosensitivity or upper lumbar nerve-root irritation.
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How to study a special test
Remember the sequence: purpose → patient position → therapist position → exact hands → force direction → 3 steps → positive finding → meaning. Practise under competent clinical supervision, and screen for red flags before provocative examination.