Kernig Sign
(Redirected from Kernigs Sign)
Other Names
- Kernig's Sign
- Kernig test
- Kernig Test
- Kernig maneuver
- Meningeal stretch sign
- Meningeal irritation sign
Purpose
- Evaluate for meningeal irritation
- May also be useful for evaluating radicular back pain
Description
- Patient is supine, hip and knee flexed to 90°
- The knee is slowly extended by the examiner
- Repeat the exam on the other side
- Positive test is resistance, pain or inability to extend the knee
- Note should be positive bilaterally
Pathology
- Meningitis
- Herniated Disc
Evidence
Meningitis
- Akaishi et al systematic review[3]
- Sensitivity: 23%
- Specificity: 91%
- LR+: 2.61
- LR-: 0.84
- Thomas et al[4]
- Sensitivity: 5%
- Specificity: 95%
- PPV: 27%
- NPV: 72%
See Also
References
- ↑ Tracy, Alexander, and Thomas Waterfield. "How to use clinical signs of meningitis." Archives of Disease in Childhood-Education and Practice 105.1 (2020): 46-49.
- ↑ Image courtesy of UBC wiki
- ↑ Akaishi, Tetsuya, et al. "Sensitivity and specificity of meningeal signs in patients with meningitis." Journal of General and Family Medicine 20.5 (2019): 193-198.
- ↑ Thomas, Karen E., et al. "The diagnostic accuracy of Kernig's sign, Brudzinski's sign, and nuchal rigidity in adults with suspected meningitis." Clinical Infectious Diseases 35.1 (2002): 46-52.
Created by:
John Kiel on 29 July 2019 23:55:25
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Last edited:
14 January 2026 17:47:39
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