Neck: examination tests with their numbers
11 tests from the book, each with the published accuracy figures that exist for it, and what a positive and a negative result mean.
- Arm squeeze testLR+ 10.7 · LR− 0.04 · Treat with caution
- Babinski signLR+ not calculable (specificity 100%) · LR− 0.93 · Rule-in strength not calculable (no false positives seen)
- Cervical distraction testLR+ 4.4 · LR− 0.62 · A weak test on its own
- Cervical rotation <60° (towards symptomatic side)LR+ 1.75 · LR− 0.22 · Treat with caution
- Clonus (ankle/patellar)LR+ 5.49 · LR− 0.94 · Best used to rule in
- Flexion-rotation testLR+ 5 · LR− 0.2 · Treat with caution
- Gait deviation / abnormalityLR+ 3.11 · LR− 0.86 · A weak test on its own
- Hoffmann's signLR+ 1.15 · LR− 0.95 · A weak test on its own
- Inverted supinator signLR+ 14.64 · LR− 0.83 · Best used to rule in
- Spurling's testLR+ 3.28 · LR− 0.51 · A weak test on its own
- Upper limb tension test (ULTT/ULNT A)LR+ 2.45 · LR− 0.42 · A weak test on its own
Get the book for the neck questions that matter: nerve root or referred pain, which myelopathy signs count, and when a neck after trauma needs imaging
These pages give the published figures. Rule It In, Rule It Out adds, for every test with published figures in the chapter ‘The neck’: how to do it, what counts as positive, how to read the result, and, where studied, whether combining tests helps.
Coming in late 2026 as a PDF and a paperback. Join the list to hear when it's out
One study, one test, once a month
Rule It In is a free evidence letter for musculoskeletal clinicians: one recent study explained, one examination test with its real numbers. From Trokos, publisher of Rule It In, Rule It Out.