Upper Limb Tension Tests (ULTT)

All Tests:

• Tests are performed in the supine position and resting symptoms are assessed.
• Tests begin with depression and stabilization of the scapula and reassessment of resting symptoms (17).

Median Nerve Bias

1. Shoulder Abducted to 110º
2. Forearm supinated
3. Wrist extended and ulnar deviated, fingers extended
4. Elbow extended

Ulnar Nerve Bias

1. Shoulder Abducted to 110º and externally rotated to 90°
2. Forearm pronated
3. Wrist extended and ulnar deviated, fingers extended
4. Elbow flexed

Radial Nerve Bias

1. The arm starts by the side
2. Fingers are flexed over a flexed thumb
3. Wrist flexion and radial deviation
4. Elbow remains in extension
5. Shoulder internally rotated and abducted 10° or more

All Tests:

• Tests are positive if there is a considerable restriction in extensibility and radiated symptoms
• Sides should be compared.
• Tests may be sensitized by adding cervical lateral flexion:
  • If symptoms increase with contralateral cervical flexion; more indicative of cervical radiculopathy.
  • If symptoms decrease with ipsilateral cervical flexion; more indicative of cervical radiculopathy.

Note: Every text I referenced had a different set of instructions for these tests, including different joint actions, different order of steps, and different numbering/titling of the various nerve biases. For this reason, the tests were named by the nerve being tensioned, steps were ordered based on common practice, and only tests referenced in the research were used. The order of steps likely matters less if symptoms are reassessed with each step.