Spurling's Test

Purpose[edit | edit source]

The Spurling's test (also known as Maximal Cervical Compression Test and Foraminal Compression Test) is used during a musculoskeletal assessment of the cervical spine when looking for cervical nerve root compression causing Cervical Radiculopathy[1].

Technique[edit | edit source]

There are different ways described in the literature to perform the Spurling's test. The version that provoked arm symptoms the best was with the neck in extension, lateral flexion and axial compression.[2]

Spurlings test A video provided by Clinically Relevant

Spurlings test B video provided by Clinically Relevant

In some resources there is reference to test A and B, these variations are both used to assess for radiculopathy.

[3]
[4]

This video shows a good demonstration of Spurling's test plus other assessment techniques for cervical radiculopathy

[5]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

When performing an assessment it is important to know if the tool you are using is measuring what you want to measure that is Specificity and how good it is correctly identifying a pattern that is Sensitivity[6] as both contribute to the diagnostic accuracy of the test. 

Diagnostic Accuracy[7][edit | edit source]

Sensitivity= .50

Specificity= .88

-LR = .58

+LR= 3.5

Reliability[7][edit | edit source]

Kappa= .60

Additional Information[edit | edit source]

Although this test is commonly used for assessing cervical radiculopathy it is important due to its lower sensitivity that other tests are used in conjunction. In 2003, Dr. Robert Wainner and colleagues examined the accuracy of the clinical examination and developed a clinical prediction rule to aid in the diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy. Their research demonstrated that 4 clinical tests, when combined, hold high diagnostic accuracy compared to EMG studies:

  1. Spurling's Test
  2. Upper limb tension 1
  3. Distraction test
  4. Cervical Rotation Test

When all 4 of these clinical features are present, the post-test probability of cervical radiculopathy is 90%, if only three of the four test are positive the probability decrease to 65% [8][9].

Additional Resources[edit | edit source]

De Hertogh WJ, Vaes PH, Vijverman V, De Cordt A, Duquet W. The clinical examination of neck pain patients: The validity of a group of tests. Manual Therapy. 2007; 12 (1): 50-5.

Tong HC, Haig AJ, Yamakawa K. The Spurling test and cervical radiculopathy. Spine. 2002:27(2):156-9.

Rubinstein SM, Pool JJ, van Tulder MW, Riphagen II, de Vet HC. A systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of provocative tests of the neck for diagnosing cervical radiculopathy. Eur Spine J. 2007; 16: 307-319.

Shah KC, Rajshekhar V. Reliability of diagnosis of soft cervical disc prolapse using Spurling's test. British Journal of Neurosurgery. 2004: 18(5): 480-483.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Konin JG, Wiksten DL, Isear JA, Brader H. Special Tests for Orthopedic Examination. Thorofare: SLACK Incorporated; 2006.
  2. Anekstein Y, Blecher R, Smorgick Y, Mirovsky Y. What is the best way to apply the Spurling test for cervical radiculopathy? Clin.Orthop.Relat.Res. 2012;470(9):2566-2572.
  3. CRTechnologies. Spurlings A Test (CR). Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AIqxRrsCB4 [last accessed 10/9/2019]
  4. CRTechnologies. Spurlings B Test. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10MIrbqaYKo [last accessed 10/9/2019]
  5. Jmunoz85. Advanced Musculoskeletal Exam (pt. 1 of 7). Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwR9EcKN_Jc [last accessed 10/9/2019]
  6. Lalkhen A. McCluskey A. Clinical tests: sensitivity and specificity. Contin Educ Anaesth Crit Care Pain. 2008; 8 (6): 221-223.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Flynn TW, Cleland JA, Whitman JM. Users' Guide to the Musculoskeletal Examination. Buckner: Evidence in Motion; 2008.
  8. Wainner RS, Fritz JM, Irrgang JJ, Boninger ML, Delitto A, Allison S. Reliability and diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination and patient self-report measures for cervical radiculopathy. Spine 2003; 28(1):52-62
  9. Rubinstein SM, Pool JJ, van Tulder MW, Riphagen II, de Vet HC. A systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of provocative tests of the neck for diagnosing cervical radiculopathy. Eur Spine J. 2007; 16: 307-319.