Orthopedic Tests

Homan’s Test

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Thompson Test

Achilles Tendon Tear

Anterior Drawer Test (Ankle)

ATFL sprain/tear

Bulge Sign

Knee Effusion (Knee Joint Fluid)

Patellar Apprehension Test

Patellar Dislocation

Apley’s Compression/Distraction Test

Meniscus vs ligament involvement

McMurray’s Test

Meniscus injury

Posterior Drawer Test (Knee)

PCL integrity

Anterior Drawer Test (Knee)

ACL integrity

Lower Extremity Deep Tendon Reflexes

Lower extremity nerve-root function

Ober’s Test

TFL/IT band tightness

FAIR Test

Deep Glutes/Piriformis irritation

Trendelenburg Test

Hip abductor function on standing leg

Neri’s Bowing Test/Neri’s Sign

Lumbosacral nerve-root/sciatic irritation

Minor’s Sign

Potential lumbosacral pathology

Hamstring Test

Hamstring strength

Quadriceps Test

Quadriceps strength

Quick Supine Leg Length Check

Gross apparent leg-length asymmetry

Apparent Leg Length

Functional/apparent leg-length discrepancy related to pelvic position

True Leg Length

Structural/anatomic leg-length discrepancy

Rust’s Sign

Possible significant upper cervical injury or instability

L’Hermitte’s Sign

Possible cervical spinal cord/neurologic involvement

Shoulder Abduction Test (Bakody’s Sign)

Cervical radiculopathy

Upper Extremity Deep Tendon Reflexes

Cervical nerve-root function

Cervical Distraction Dest

Cervical radiculopathy or nerve-root compression

Test is completed by supporting the head and applying gentle upward traction.

Cervical Compression Test

Cervical nerve-root compression

Test is completed by gently applying gentle downward pressure to a neutral head.

Jackson Compression Test

Cervical radiculopathy or nerve-root compression

Test is completed by laterally flexing the head toward the side being tested and gently applying downward pressure.

Spurling’s Test

Cervical nerve-root compression

Test is completed by extending and laterally flexing the neck, then rotating toward the side being tested and gently applying downward pressure.

Shoulder Depression Test

Brachial plexus and cervical nerve-root involvement

Test is completed by laterally bending the head away from the side being tested and applying downward pressure to the shoulder while stabilizing the head.

Valsalva Maneuver

Possible space-occupying lesion or disc or nerve-root involvement

Test is completed by asking the patient to hold their breath and bear down if straining.

Dejerine’s Sign

Symptoms aggravated by coughing, sneezing, or straining due to intrathecal pressure.

Swallowing Test

Pain or difficulty swallowing associated with cervical complaints

Bikele’s Test

Cervical radiculopathy or brachial plexus involvement

Test is completed by asking patient to replicate “reaching behind in the car” to produce pain.

Hautant’s Test

Possible vertebrobasilar circulation compromise

Test is completed by having the patient hold both arms forward at 90 degrees with the eyes closed for 10-30 seconds, observing for potential drift.