Spurlings Test
Other Names
- Maximal Cervical Compression Test
- Foraminal Compression Test
- Spurling's Test
- Jackson's Sign Test
- Neck Compression Test
- Neck Hyperextension Test
- Cervical Facet Loading Test (Spurling-type maneuver)
Purpose
- Evaluate for etiology of neck pain or radicular symptoms in upper extremity
History
- Spurling's test was first discussed in the literature in 1944 by Spurling and Scoville[2]
Description
Classical Description
- The patient is seated
- Examiner is in a position to apply axial load to the top of patients head
- Patient then places neck in extension, lateral rotation in the direction of the patients symptoms
- Examiner applies an axial load
- Repeat with head rotated to the unaffected side
- Positive Test:
- Reproduction of pain radiating into upper extremity
Jackson's Sign Test
- Is this a different test?
- Bring patient into lateral rotation only, no extension
Neck Hyperextension Test
- Is this a different test?
- Bring into exaggerated extension and have them hold
- If no reproduction of symptoms, apply compression
Cervical Facet Loading
- Perform the same classical spurling test
- Pain localizes to the facet joints without radicular features
Pathology
Evidence
- Tong et al[3], Shah et al[4], Wainner et al[5]
- Sensitivity: 30% - 93%
- Specificity: 74% - 95%
- LR+: 1.9 - 18.6
- LR-: .07 - .75
See Also
References
- ↑ Image courtesy of https://mobilephysiotherapyclinic.in, "Spurling's Test"
- ↑ Anekstein, Yoram, et al. "What is the best way to apply the Spurling test for cervical radiculopathy?." Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® 470 (2012): 2566-2572.
- ↑ Tong HC, Haig AJ, Yamakawa K. The Spurling test and cervical radiculopathy. Spine. 2002; 27: 156-159.
- ↑ Shah KC, Rajshekhar V. Reliability of diagnosis of soft cervical disc prolapse using Spurling’s test. Br J Neuro-surg. 2004; 18: 480-483.
- ↑ 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; 28:52-62.
Created by:
John Kiel on 17 July 2019 23:50:36
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Last edited:
21 January 2026 17:14:24
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