Spurling's Test: Difference between revisions

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'''Original Editor '''- [[User:Shanae Gordon|Shanae Gordon]]  
'''Original Editor '''- [[User:Shanae Gordon|Shanae Gordon]]  


'''Top Contributors''' - {{Special:Contributors/{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}  
'''Top Contributors''' - {{Special:Contributors/{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}  
</div>  
</div>  
== Purpose<br>  ==
== Purpose   ==


The Spurling's test (also known as Maximal Cervical Compression Test and Framonial Compression Test) is used during a musculoskeletal assessment of the cervical spine when looking for cervical nerve root compression causing [[Cervical Radiculopathy]]<ref name="Konin et al">Konin JG, Wiksten DL, Isear JA, Brader H. Special Tests for Orthopedic Examination. Thorofare: SLACK Incorporated; 2006.</ref>.<br>
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]]<ref name="Konin et al">Konin JG, Wiksten DL, Isear JA, Brader H. Special Tests for Orthopedic Examination. Thorofare: SLACK Incorporated; 2006.</ref>.<br>  


== Technique  ==
== Technique  ==
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.<ref name="Anekstein et al">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.  </ref>


The patient is seated comfortably while physiotherapist stands behind the patient. The physiotherapist then interlocks their fingers and rests the volar aspect of both hands on top of the patient's head. The therapist then laterally flexes the patient's neck 30 degrees to the affected side and then applies a downward axial compression ensure not to laterally flex the patient's neck any further.<ref name="Konin et al" />  
<clinicallyrelevant id="83459531" title="Spurlings test A" />


'''Positive:''' when the pain arising in the neck radiates in the direction of the corresponding dermatome ipsilaterally
<clinicallyrelevant id="83459534" title="Spurlings test B" />
 
In some resources there is reference to test A and B, these variations are both used to assess for radiculopathy.
 
<br>  


In some resources there is reference to test A and B, these variations are both used to assess for radiculopathy.<br>
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"
|-
|-
| {{#ev:youtube|3AIqxRrsCB4|300}}<ref>Clinically Relevant Technologies, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBR6M8gCajg, last accessed May 2011</ref><br>  
| {{#ev:youtube|3AIqxRrsCB4|300}}<ref>CRTechnologies. Spurlings A Test (CR).  Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AIqxRrsCB4 [last accessed 10/9/2019]</ref>
| {{#ev:youtube|10MIrbqaYKo|300}}<ref>Clinically Relevant Technologies, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dBBwTbCCls, last accessed May 2011</ref><br>
| {{#ev:youtube|10MIrbqaYKo|300}}<ref>CRTechnologies. Spurlings B Test.  Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10MIrbqaYKo [last accessed 10/9/2019] </ref>
|}
|}


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


{{#ev:youtube|YwR9EcKN_Jc|300}}<ref>Online Video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwR9EcKN_Jc, last accessed on 6/4/09</ref><br>
{{#ev:youtube|YwR9EcKN_Jc|300}}<ref>Jmunoz85. Advanced Musculoskeletal Exam (pt. 1 of 7).  Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwR9EcKN_Jc [last accessed 10/9/2019] </ref>
 
== Evidence ==
== Evidence ==
When performing an [[Cervical Examination|assessment]] it is important to know if the tool you are using is measuring what you want to measure that is [http://ceaccp.oxfordjournals.org/content/8/6/221.full Specificity] and how good it is correctly identifying a pattern that is [http://ceaccp.oxfordjournals.org/content/8/6/221.full Sensitivity]<ref name="Lalkhen">Lalkhen A. McCluskey A. Clinical tests: sensitivity and specificity. Contin Educ Anaesth Crit Care Pain. 2008; 8 (6): 221-223.</ref>&nbsp;as both contribute to the diagnostic accuracy of the test.&nbsp;  
 
When performing an assessment it is important to know if the tool you are using is measuring what you want to measure [http://ceaccp.oxfordjournals.org/content/8/6/221.full Specificity] and how good it is correctly identifying a pattern [http://ceaccp.oxfordjournals.org/content/8/6/221.full Sensitivity]<ref name="Lalkhen">Lalkhen A. McCluskey A. Clinical tests: sensitivity and specificity. Contin Educ Anaesth Crit Care Pain (2008) 8 (6): 221-223.</ref>&nbsp;both contribute to the diagnostic accuracy of the test.&nbsp;  


===== Diagnostic Accuracy<sup></sup><ref name="Flynn et al">Flynn TW, Cleland JA, Whitman JM. Users' Guide to the Musculoskeletal Examination. Buckner: Evidence in Motion; 2008.</ref>  =====
===== Diagnostic Accuracy<sup></sup><ref name="Flynn et al">Flynn TW, Cleland JA, Whitman JM. Users' Guide to the Musculoskeletal Examination. Buckner: Evidence in Motion; 2008.</ref>  =====
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===== Reliability<ref name="Flynn et al" /><sup></sup>  =====
===== Reliability<ref name="Flynn et al" /><sup></sup>  =====


Kappa= .60<br>
Kappa= .60  


== Additional Information  ==
== Additional Information  ==


Although this test is commonly used for assessing cervical radiculopathy it is important due to its lower sensetivity that other tests are used in conjuction.&nbsp;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:  
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.&nbsp;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:  


'''Spurlings Test'''  
#'''Spurling's Test'''  
#[[Neurodynamic Assessment#Upper_limb_tension_test_1_.28median_nerve_bias.29|Upper limb tension 1]]
#[[Cervical distraction test|Distraction test]]
#[[Cervical Flexion-Rotation Test|Cervical Rotation Test]]


#[[Neurodynamic Assessment#Upper_limb_tension_test_1_.28median_nerve_bias.29|Upper limb tension 1]]&nbsp;
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%''' <ref>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</ref><ref name="Sid">Rubinstein SM, Pool JJ, van Tulder MW, Riphagen II, de Vet HC. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17013656 A systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of provocative tests of the neck for diagnosing cervical radiculopathy.] Eur Spine J. 2007; 16: 307-319.</ref>.
#[[Cervical distraction test|Distraction test]]&nbsp;
#[[Cervical_Flexion-Rotation_Test|Cervical Flexion-Rotation Test]]<br>
 
When all 4 of these clinical features are present, the post-test probablity of cervical radiculopathy is '''90%''', if only three of the four test are positive the probability decrease to '''65%''' <ref name="Wainner">Wainner RS, Fritz JM, Irrgang JJ, et al. Reliability and diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination and patient self-report measures for cervical radiculopathy. Spine. 2003;28(1):52-62.</ref><ref>Wainner et al. Reliability and diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination and patient self-report measures for cervical radiculopathy. Spine 2003 Jan 1. 28(1):52-62</ref><ref name="Sid">Sidney M. Rubinstein et al. A systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of provocative tests of the neck for diagnosing cervical radiculopathy. European Spine Journal. Volume 16, Number 3, 307-319</ref>.


== Additional Resources  ==
== Additional Resources  ==


[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16769236 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 Feb; 12 (1): 50-5.]
De Hertogh WJ, Vaes PH, Vijverman V, De Cordt A, Duquet W. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16769236 The clinical examination of neck pain patients: The validity of a group of tests.] Manual Therapy. 2007; 12 (1): 50-5.  
 
[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11805661 Tong HC, Haig AJ, Yamakawa K. The Spurling test and cervical radiculopathy. Spine. 2002:27(2):156-9.]
 
[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17013656 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.]&nbsp;
 
[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15799149 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.]
 
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.  
Tong HC, Haig AJ, Yamakawa K. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11805661 The Spurling test and cervical radiculopathy.] Spine. 2002:27(2):156-9.  


== Recent Related Research (from [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ Pubmed])  ==
Rubinstein SM, Pool JJ, van Tulder MW, Riphagen II, de Vet HC. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17013656 A systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of provocative tests of the neck for diagnosing cervical radiculopathy.] Eur Spine J. 2007; 16: 307-319.  
<div class="researchbox">
<rss>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/erss.cgi?rss_guid=1jQKP8USaQ9dT-eojqX3UY1GSOO003lolY5dKS44JxH8cM2gsl|charset=UTF-8|short|max=10</rss>
</div>


Shah KC, Rajshekhar V. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15799149 Reliability of diagnosis of soft cervical disc prolapse using Spurling's test.] British Journal of Neurosurgery. 2004: 18(5): 480-483.
== References  ==
== References  ==


<references />  
<references /><br>  


[[Category:Videos]] [[Category:Special_Tests]] [[Category:Musculoskeletal/Orthopaedics|Orthopaedics]] [[Category:Cervical]] [[Category:Assessment]] [[Category:MCG_Student_Project]]
[[Category:Assessment]]  
[[Category:Cervical Spine - Assessment and Examination]]
[[Category:Cervical Spine]]
[[Category:Special_Tests]]  
[[Category:Neurological - Assessment and Examination]]
[[Category:Musculoskeletal/Orthopaedics]]  
[[Category:MCG_Student_Project]]  
[[Category:Cervical Spine - Assessment and Examination]]
[[Category:Cervical Spine - Special Tests]]

Latest revision as of 00:00, 1 February 2021

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.