Name: Spurling's Compression Test
Uploaded: 2023-04-26T01:01:54.000Z
Duration: 3 min 49 s
Description: Spurling's Compression Test is a physical examination technique used to test for nerve root impingement. In this video, learn how to perform the test and interpret the results.

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https://stream.mux.com/qy02r1AOiECbWb69d88LgUNx00S02Q171K4ezo5YRCpdDo.m3u8

Spurling's Compression Test is a physical examination technique used to test for nerve root impingement. In this video, learn how to perform the test and interpret the results.

Introduction to Spurling's Compression Test

Performing the Test: Patient Positioning and Symptom Assessment

Adding Overpressure: Testing Reliability and Interpretation

Interpreting Test Results: Specificity vs. Sensitivity

Conclusion and Future Testing Considerations

Spurling's Compression Test

This is Brent of the Brookbush Institute and in this video we're going to do Spurling's compression test for cervical radiculopathy. I'm going to have my friend Yvette come out, she's going to help me demonstrate. Now we're going to assume that Yvette came in and she was complaining about some neck pain, and maybe she described some feelings that we're thinking might have something to do with some nerve irritation. So Yvette why don't you let me know are you having any symptoms right now? (No). All right which side were you having symptoms on? (Left). Okay so that's the first thing we want to do is make sure we have a good idea of what's going on in this position. So now she's having symptoms on her left side, we're going to see if we can make them worse by laterally flexing to the left side. So go ahead and start over again, notice she was actually very good, your patients are going to have a tendency to, go ahead and slouch for me, so like there you go, and then I'm going to go side bend, and you what would you do, just like this, and they like get that forward head side bend rotation combination. So make sure you are trying to be as reliable as possible in the sense that you're trying to define the test, make the test the same way every time. If you wanted to come back and reassess this particular test, you want to make sure that you know you don't test it in slouched position one time and then get all strict about form the next time, that's not going to help your reliability. So I'm going to make sure she's sitting up nice and tall, check her symptoms in this position, she's not having any but she says the history of her symptoms is on the left side. So I'm going to have her side bend to the left and does that bring on your symptoms? No so that doesn't bring on her symptoms. So far she's still negative but we have one more step and that's to side bend to the left and now I'm going to add overpressure. For those of you who know some stuff about joint exams and stuff you're very used to overpressure, I'm actually going to hold her this way so I can control her torso a little bit with my elbows, and I'm going to compress and laterally flex a little bit. So I'm pushing her head into this position while pushing straight down into compression, and if she still doesn't have symptoms, Yvette no symptoms? (No). Then this test is negative. If lateral flexion to the left or overpressure bring on her symptoms then this test is positive. So let's go over that one more time, sit up nice and tall. Check their symptoms, make sure that they're not currently having symptoms, laterally flex to the left, great. Once they've laterally flexed to the left did that make it worse? If that didn't it make it worse you're going to check with overpressure. Now how are we going to weigh this test, well this test is more specific than sensitive. In fact it's not particularly sensitive at all. So if I get a negative on this test it wouldn't rule out cervical radiculopathy just yet, I'm going to use a few more tests inside of a cluster to make sure that I am as accurate as I can be. If I have a positive on this test though I might start to seriously think cervical radiculopathy is a potential diagnosis, being that this test is specific a yes, a positive has far more weight. So there you have it, Spurling's compression test. We are going to add this to a cluster of tests which we'll talk about in a later video, this is more specific than sensitive. If you have any questions please leave them in the comments box below.

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Spurlingss Compression Test

Special tests for cervical radiculopathy, cervicogenic headache, and Canadian cervical spine (C-spine) rules. The Wainner's Clinical Prediction Rule for Cervical Radiculopathy, Spurling's Compression Test, Upper Limb Tension Test, Distraction Test, Shoulder Abduction Test, Cervical Flexion, and Rotation Test, and Canadian C-spine Rules for "red flags". The reliability, specificity, sensitivity, validity, safety, and screening for neck pain, headaches, and radiculopathy.

Spurling's Compression Test

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