Fulcrum Test
Other Names
- Fulcrum Test
- Femoral Fulcrum Test
- Thigh Fulcrum Test
- Femoral Stress Fracture Fulcrum Maneuver
- Fulcrum Maneuver for Femoral Stress Injury
- Femoral Shaft Stress Test
Purpose
- Evaluate the Femur and thigh pain for possible Stress Fracture
Description
- The patient is seated, legs hanging from the examination table
- The examiner sits on the side of the affected limb
- One arm is placed under the symptomatic thigh, with the palm resting on the contralateral thigh
- The other arm applies downward pressure on the patients lower leg, using the hand under the thigh as a 'fulcrum'
- The hand under thigh can be moved up and down the leg to attempt to find the place of maximal discomfort
- Positive test
- Increased pain or discomfort, sometimes apprehension
Pathology
Evidence
- Johnson et al[3]
- Sensitivity: 93%
- Specificity: 75%
- LR+: 3.7
- LR-: 0.09
- Kang et al[4]
- Sensitivity: 88%
- Specificity: 13%
- LR+: 1.0
- LR-: 0.92
See Also
References
- ↑ Behrens, Steve B., et al. "Stress fractures of the pelvis and legs in athletes: a review." Sports health 5.2 (2013): 165-174.
- ↑ Ruohola, Juha-Petri. Fatigue fractures in military conscripts: A study on risk factors, diagnostics and long-term consequences. Juha-Petri Ruohola, 2007.
- ↑ Johnson, Alan W., Carl B. Weiss Jr, and Donald L. Wheeler. "Stress fractures of the femoral shaft in athletes—more common than expected: a new clinical test." The American Journal of Sports Medicine 22.2 (1994): 248-256.
- ↑ Kang, L., D. Belcher, and M. J. Hulstyn. "Stress fractures of the femoral shaft in women’s college lacrosse: a report of seven cases and a review of the literature." British Journal of Sports Medicine 39.12 (2005): 902-906.
Created by:
John Kiel on 25 July 2019 23:51:39
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Last edited:
21 November 2025 15:10:01
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