NAME OF TEST INTERPRETATION/WHAT TISSUE STRUCTURE DOES THIS TEST LOAD?

For
you to complete

Rust sign NA – Rusts sign stretches structures & doesn’t load any structures. Indicates
serious injury or pathology.

Cervical Axial Compression Cervical nerve roots IVF, vertebral bodies, facet joints, IVD of cervical spine

Compression is greatest at cephalic (superior) cervical spine & with each

subsequent segment (moving caudally) pressure is decreased.

Cervical distraction test Opening IVF, stretching; cervical nerve roots, joint capsules, muscles,
ligaments & spinal cord (including dura mater)

Muscles include; Suboccipital muscles

1. Rectus capitis posterior minor

2. Rectus capitis posterior major
3. Obliquus capitis superior
4. Obliquus capitis inferior

*Note - Should patient have a sprain or strain injury, distraction will increase
the symptoms the patient is feeling.

Cervical Flexion Cervical nerve roots, IVF (closes down), IVD, facet joints
Compression test

Cervical Rotation Cervical nerve roots, IVF (closes down), IVD, Facets (ipsilateral)
Compression test

Cervical Lateral Flexion Cervical nerve roots, IVF (closes down), ipsilateral facets, IVD,
Compression test

Cervical Maximal Maximal closing of IVD, Cervical nerve roots, facet joints (predominantly
Compression test ipsilateral) & IVD

Shoulder Depression test Nerve roots, Brachial plexus, Facet joints - on ipsilateral side of lateral flexion,
median nerve.

Muscles including; ipsilateral trapezius, splenius cervicis & capitis,

Suboccipitials – predominately ipsilateral, SCM & scalenes)
Shoulder abduction test Decompresses the brachial plexus & nerve roots (buy shortening the by
(Bakody’s) shortening brachial plexus)

Valsalva test Increases intrathecal pressure therefore loads spinal cord & meninges, nerve
roots & IVD

LLermittes sign Spinal cord including meninges & cervical nerve roots

Brachial plexus tension test Loads - Brachial plexus & cervical nerve roots

*Positive test = Radicular symptoms

This could indicate;

- Nerve root compression
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Anterior scalene syndrome
Cervicogenic dizziness During head rotation; Semicircular canal & Vertebral artery

During shoulder rotation: Cervical facet joints & muscles

Adson’s test Thoracic Outlet; Brachial plexus, subclavian artery, subclavian vein

Associated muscle; Anterior scalene

Palpation; Radial artery

Halstead test (reverse Thoracic Outlet; Brachial plexus, subclavian artery, subclavian vein
adson’s)
Associated muscle; Posterior scalene

Palpation; Radial artery

Wright’s test Thoracic Outlet; Brachial plexus, subclavian artery, subclavian vein
(hyperabduction)
Associated muscle; Pectoralis minor

Palpation; Radial artery

Costoclavicular test Thoracic Outlet; Brachial plexus, subclavian artery, subclavian vein
(Eden’s)
Compressing between clavicle and first rib

Palpation; Radial artery

Provocation elevation test Thoracic Outlet; Brachial plexus, subclavian artery, axillary artery
(Roos) Anterior & Posterior scalene, pectoralis minor & clavicle
Palpation; Radial artery

Allen’s test Thoracic Outlet; Brachial plexus, subclavian artery, axillary artery
Anterior & Posterior scalene, pectoralis minor & clavicle
Palpation; Radial artery & Ulnar artery
Test INTERPRETATION/WHAT TISSUE STRUCTURE DOES THIS TEST LOAD? For you to
complete

Squat test General screen for joints of the lower limb; hips, knees, ankles, SIJ

Lumbar Kemps test IVF (closes), lumbar facets, lumbar nerve roots, IVD

(if pain is local it’s a facet pathology, if pain shoots down leg could be IVF pathology
eg disk problem, stenosis)

Djerine’s triad Tests intrathecal pressure – therefore loads spinal nerves, IVD
(Valsalva, cough,
sneeze)

Flip or Bechterew’s Sciatic nerve

test

Straight leg raising 0-40 degrees: Hip Joint

40-80 degrees: Lumbar IVD, Sciatic nerve, Neve roots
test (SLR) 80 + degrees: SI joint & Lumbar facet joints

Well straight leg 0-40 degrees: Hip Joint

40-80 degrees: Lumbar IVD, sciatic nerve, nerve roots
raising test (WSLR) 80 + degrees: SI joint & lumbar facet joints

Braggard’s test Used to confirm SLR & WSLR

0-40 degrees: Hip Joint
40-80 degrees: Lumbar IVD, sciatic nerve, nerve roots
80 + degrees: SI joint & lumbar facet joints

Bowstring’s test Used to confirm SLR & WSLR

Primarily loads; Sciatic nerve, nerve roots
Also tests; hamstrings

Bonnet’s test Sciatic nerve & piriformis

Kernigs test Spinal cord including meninges, nerve roots, sciatic nerve
0-40 degrees: Hip Joint
40-80 degrees: Lumbar IVD, sciatic nerve, neve roots
80 + degrees: SI joint & lumbar facet joints

Sign of the buttock SI joint, hip joint, hip capsule, lumbar facet joints, nerve roots, hamstrings, sciatic
nerve, gluteal muscles, gluteal bursae

Slump test Spinal cord – including meninges, sciatic nerve, merve roots, IVD

Milgrams test This test increases intrathecal pressure, and if pain is reproduced, may
 indicate a space-occupying lesion (eg intervertebral disc).

Sacral thrust SI joint & ligaments

(Springing the sacrum)

SIJ distraction SI joint & ligaments

SIJ compression SI joint & ligaments

Thigh thrust SI joint & ligaments

Gaenslen Iliopsoas, SI joints, lumbar spine; facet joints

Nachlas test (prone Femoral nerve, ner,ve roots, SI joint, quadriceps muscles; predominantly rectus
knee bending femoris

Ely’s test Femoral nerve, nerve roots (L2-L4), Quadriceps muscles; predominantly rectus
femoris, iliopsoas

Yeoman’s test Femoral nerve, Nerve roots (L2-L4) SI joint, Lumbar facet joint, Quadriceps muscles;
mostly rectus femoris, iliopsoas

Lumbar springing test Lumbar facet joints

Stoop test Assesses for neurogenic intermittent claudication (caused by slow degenerative
canal stenosis)

Opens & closes the IVF, loads spinal cord, nerve roots & IVD

Hoover test There are no structures loaded, this test is designed for malingering

Trendelenberg’s test Predominantly Gluteus medius, in addition to hip abductors; gluteus minimus &
TFL

Patrick Fabere test Hip capsule, piriformis, adductors, hip flexors; predominantly iliopsoas but also
rectus femoris & sartorius, SI joint

Rotational deformities No tissue loaded; observing for anteversion/ retroversion

Thomas test Iliopsoas, Iliacus, & other hip flexors; rectus femoris & sartorius

Test for true leg No tissues loaded; this test is used for measurement
length

Ober’s test ITB, TFL, hip capsule & trochanteric bursae

Pelvic Rock test SIJ & ligaments

Homer pheasant test Aim of this test is to decrease the size of the IVF

Schober test No tissues loaded; this test is used for measurement

Bicycle test of Van Assesses for neurogenic intermittent claudication (caused by slow degenerative
Felderen canal stenosis)

Opens & closes the IVF, loads spinal cord, nerve roots & IVD

Slump test Stretching spinal cord including meninges, loads nerve roots & IVD

Passive Scapular T1-T2 Nerve roots

approximation

Percussion Ribs

Rib fracture screen Ribs

Adam’s forward General Screen: Scoliosis (Skeletal system: Ribs & Spine)
bending

Ott Sign No tissues loaded; measurement conducted on spinal movement

Chest Expansion Structures involved in breathing; ribs, soft tissues structures (including diaphragm)

Beevor’s sign Lower abdominal muscles, Nerve roots that activate lower abdominal muscles;
T10-L1, & spinal cord

Abdominal reflex Spinal cord, nerve roots that innovate abdominal muscles;
Upper T7-T10
Lower T10-L1

Maigne’s syndrome Subcutaneous tissue over the iliac crest (Cluneal Nerves)
test