The Sacral Thrust Test is a prone sacroiliac joint pain provocation test that applies an anteriorly directed force through the sacrum. A positive finding may increase suspicion of SIJ complex involvement when it reproduces familiar posterior pelvic pain. Current evidence supports using SIJ provocati...
The Stork Test, also called the one-legged hyperextension test, assesses whether single-leg lumbar extension reproduces familiar low back pain. It is often discussed in relation to pars stress injury or spondylolysis, especially in adolescent and extension-based athletes. Current 2020+ sources empha...
The Mennell Sign Test is a prone provocation test sometimes used to explore whether lumbar, sacroiliac or hip-region loading reproduces familiar symptoms. A positive finding depends on which phase reproduces symptoms and whether those symptoms match the client’s usual pain. Current 2020+ evidence fo...
Waddell Signs are a group of clinical findings originally described in low back pain assessment to identify behavioural responses that may influence presentation and outcome. They should not be used to accuse a client of exaggerating, faking or malingering. A 2021 study found Waddell signs were asso...
The Slump Test assesses symptom response during combined spinal flexion, knee extension and ankle movement. A positive finding is more meaningful when it reproduces familiar symptoms and changes with sensitising or easing movements. A 2020 diagnostic validity study found that individual neurodynamic...
The Straight Leg Raise Test assesses symptom response and straight-leg hip flexion tolerance while the client lies supine. A positive result is more meaningful when it reproduces familiar leg symptoms and changes with sensitising or easing movements. A 2020 diagnostic validity study found that Strai...
The McKenzie Side Glide Test assesses lumbar frontal-plane movement, lateral shift response and symptom behaviour during repeated or sustained side gliding. It may help identify whether symptoms are mechanically influenced by lateral movement. It does not diagnose disc pathology. Recent MDT-related ...
The Leg Lowering Test assesses the client’s ability to control the lumbar spine and pelvis while lowering one or both legs from a raised position. It is best interpreted as a lumbopelvic control and abdominal performance test, not as a diagnostic test for low back pain. Recent research has used the ...
Bragard's sign is a physical examination technique used to assess for nerve irritation or compression in the lower back and legs, specifically the sciatic nerve. Here's how you can perform it:
- Position the patient in a supine position on an examination table.
- Raise the patient's affected leg to ...
The Piriformis Test assesses whether hip positioning or resisted movement reproduces familiar buttock or sciatic-type symptoms. A positive finding may increase suspicion of deep gluteal space involvement when it matches the client’s symptoms and other findings. Current 2020+ evidence supports a broa...
The Patellar-Pubic Percussion Test is a bedside screening test that compares sound transmission through the femur and pelvis. A reduced or altered sound on the symptomatic side may increase suspicion of a fracture or bony disruption, but the test should not replace imaging or urgent referral when fr...
The McCarthy Test is a hip special test used to assess whether controlled hip movement reproduces symptoms commonly associated with intra-articular hip irritation. A positive test may include familiar hip or groin pain, clicking, catching or painful mechanical symptoms. Current evidence for the exac...
