Spurling's Test: Difference between revisions

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== Evidence  ==
== Evidence  ==
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  
Kappa= .60


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

Revision as of 18:43, 23 December 2013

Purpose
[edit | edit source]

The Spurling's 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]

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.[1]


Positive: when the pain arising in the neck radiates in the direction of the corresponding dermatome ipsilaterally


[2]

[3]
[4]

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 Specificity and how good it is correctly identifying a pattern Sensitivity[5] both contribute to the diagnostic accuracy of the test. 

Diagnostic Accuracy[6][edit | edit source]

Sensitivity= .50

Specificity= .88

-LR = .58

+LR= 3.5

Reliability[6][edit | edit source]

Kappa= .60

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 Feb; 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.

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.

Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]

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References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Konin JG, Wiksten DL, Isear JA, Brader H. Special Tests for Orthopedic Examination. Thorofare: SLACK Incorporated; 2006.
  2. Online Video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwR9EcKN_Jc, last accessed on 6/4/09
  3. Clinically Relevant Technologies, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBR6M8gCajg, last accessed May 2011
  4. Clinically Relevant Technologies, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dBBwTbCCls, last accessed May 2011
  5. Lalkhen A. McCluskey A. Clinical tests: sensitivity and specificity. Contin Educ Anaesth Crit Care Pain (2008) 8 (6): 221-223.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Flynn TW, Cleland JA, Whitman JM. Users' Guide to the Musculoskeletal Examination. Buckner: Evidence in Motion; 2008.