Neurodynamic Tests

Question 1

What does a Neurodynamic Test assess?

Answer 1

The Mechanical movement of the Neurological Tissues as well as their Sensitivity to Mechanical Stress or Compression.

Question 2

What has most likely occurred if a SLR causes neurological pain in the lower back?

Answer 2

Tension in sciatic nerve roots over Intervertebral discs

Question 3

Neurologic pain reproduced in the leg and low back between 35-70 degrees of hip flexion during a SLR?

Answer 3

Tension in sciatic roots over Intervertebral discs

Question 4

What occurs between 0-35 degrees of hip flexion during a SLR?

Answer 4

• Taking up slack

- No duralumin’s movement

Question 5

What is likely to cause pain after 70 degrees of hip Flexion during the SLR?

Answer 5

• Joint pain

Question 6

Name all the Steps to follow when performing a SLR?

Answer 6

• Patient is laying supine without a pillow
• Test good side first
• Single hip is Medially Rotated and Adducted with the Knee Extended
• Passively Lift the Patients Leg by the Posterior Ankle whilst keeping the Knee Extended
• Carrying on lifting until pain occurs
• Bilaterally test the other side.

Question 7

What is the Purpose of the Slump Test?

Answer 7

Neural Tension test used to Detect Altered Neurodynamics or Neural Tissue Sensitivity

Question 8

The Clinical Procedure for Completing a Slump Test

Answer 8

• Patient Seated with Legs hanging over the edge by 1 inch
• Hands behind back to achieve Neutral Spine
• Patient Slumps forwards at the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine.
• If no pain, flex the neck by placing chin to chest and extending one knee as much as possible
• extend neck and try again, if pain then positive.

Question 9

Why is the Slump Test used?

Answer 9

To help detect altered neurodynamics or neural tissue sensitivity

Question 10

What does a Babinski test assess?

Answer 10

Possible sign of brain or nervous system disorder

Question 11

How to conduct the Babinski sign test:

Answer 11

Blunt instrument is ran along the lateral side of foot looking for toe extension.

Question 12

What is a Hoovers test?

Answer 12

A motor sign to distinguish between leg paresis between fake pain and genuine pain.

Question 13

How to perform the hoovers sign:

Answer 13

• Both heels raised
• Injured side lifted with opposite force ⬆⬇
• Good side tested against resisted pressure and no counter force should be felt on injured side.

Question 14

What is Waddell’s sign?

Answer 14

Test to find out if a patient is faking their back pain.

Question 15

What tests to do and what to look out for when conducting a Waddell’s sign:

Answer 15

• Very light axial load on cranium
• Twist body at ankles with hands by side
• SLR
• Slump Test
• Any Overactive reactions
• Myotome resistance cuts off