Special tests library › For lecturers, students and librarians
For lecturers, students and librarians
Last updated October 2026.
The special tests library is free to use in teaching. There is nothing to sign up for, no login and no advertising.
Ways to use it in teachingLinking and sharingFor library guidesHow to citeProfessional standards
What is here
- 133 special tests by body region, each with the published figures that exist for it, what a positive and a negative result mean, and its source.
- Red flags by region: the serious conditions to screen for before testing, with a source for every row.
- The strongest tests, ranked by likelihood ratio, and side-by-side comparisons of the tests for one condition.
- A probability calculator that shows what a positive or a negative result does to the chance of a diagnosis, with worked examples.
- Twelve teaching cases, each a two-page printable handout: the question on page one, the answer on page two.
Ways to use it in teaching
- Before a practical class: ask students to read the page for each test they will practise, so they know what a result is worth before they learn the technique.
- Probability, not yes or no: use the calculator to show how the same test result means different things at different starting probabilities.
- Tutorials: print the teaching cases as handouts for small groups.
- Choosing a test: use a comparison page to discuss which test to choose for one condition, and why.
- Screening first: pair a region's tests with its red-flags page.
Linking and sharing
You are welcome to link to any page from a course site, learning platform, reading list or library guide. You may also print and share pages, or short extracts (such as a table on a slide) copied word for word, for teaching that is not sold or included in anything sold, with credit to Trokos and a link to the page. Teaching in a course that charges fees is allowed, as long as the pages themselves are not sold. The teaching-case handouts are made to be printed for class. This permission covers our own content on these web pages only. It does not cover the Rule It In, Rule It Out book, the Trokos name or logo, or material owned by others, and it does not imply that Trokos endorses any course. We may change or withdraw it at any time. All other rights are reserved; for any other use, please get in touch.
For library guides
A short description you can copy:
Trokos special tests library: free summaries of 133 musculoskeletal examination tests, each with the published accuracy figures that exist for it, a plain-English note on what a result means, and a link to the source study. Includes red-flag screening pages, a probability calculator and printable teaching cases. No login.
Link: trokos.com.au/tests. How the figures are sourced and checked: How this library is made.
How to cite it
Every test page has a How to cite box. It gives the reference for the original study first, for anyone citing a figure, then an APA and a Vancouver reference for the page itself. For the library as a whole:
APA 7: Tompson, S. (2026). Trokos special tests library. Trokos. Retrieved [date], from https://trokos.com.au/tests/
Vancouver: Tompson S. Trokos special tests library [Internet]. Sunshine Coast (QLD): Trokos; 2026 [cited YYYY Mon DD]. Available from: https://trokos.com.au/tests/
When you use a figure, please also cite the original study given on the test page.
Professional standards and training
The library is written for students and clinicians who examine musculoskeletal problems: physiotherapy and physical therapy, sport and exercise medicine, orthopaedics, chiropractic and osteopathy. See professional standards and training documents, by profession and country, that cover clinical assessment, diagnosis or evidence-based practice. They are listed for reference only.
Feedback
If you use the library in teaching, we would like to hear how. We're happy to add to or improve the special tests library if you have any feedback: contact or email info@trokos.com.au.