Spurling's test

The Spurling test is a medical maneuver used to assess nerve root pain (aka radicular pain). It is usually performed by a physician, nurse practitioner, doctor of chiropractic, athletic trainer, or a physical therapist in which the provider turns the patient's head to the affected side while applying downward pressure to the top of the patient's head. A positive Spurling's sign (i.e. the Spurling's test is positive) is when the pain arising in the neck radiates in the direction of the corresponding dermatome ipsilaterally. . It is a variant of the foraminal compression test(cervical compression test).

Patients with a cervical radiculopathy (compression of a nerve ‘root’ in the neck) can present with a variety of symptoms, including pain, numbness and weakness. Many other disorders can produce similar symptoms. In addition to the clinical history, the neurological examination may show signs suggesting a cervical radiculopathy.

Accuracy

Spurling's test is somewhat specific when used for individuals with an abnormal electromyogram studybut not a very sensitive physical examination maneuver in diagnosing cervical spondylosis or acute cervical (neck)radiculopathy. It is not a very sensitive test when used for individuals without classic radicular signs suggestive of cervical radiculopathy.^{[citation needed]} In 2011, one study evaluated 257 patients with clinical cervical radiculopathy and correlatedCT scan findings with clinical exam findings using the Spurling's test. The Spurling's test was 95% sensitive and 94% specific for diagnosing nerve root pathology.^[1]

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