Low back & pelvis: examination tests with their numbers
13 tests from the book, each with the published accuracy figures that exist for it, and what a positive and a negative result mean.
- Compression testLR+ 2.2 · LR− 0.45 · A weak test on its own
- Crossed / contralateral SLRLR+ 2.4 · LR− not given · A weak test on its own
- Distraction testLR+ 3.2 · LR− 0.49 · A weak test on its own
- Femoral nerve stretch test (prone knee bend)LR+ not calculable (specificity 100%) · LR− 0.5 · Rule-in strength not calculable (no false positives seen)
- Gaenslen's testLR+ 2 · LR− 0.65 · A weak test on its own
- Hoover testLR+ not calculable (specificity 100%) · LR− 0.37 · Rule-in strength not calculable (no false positives seen)
- Kemp's / lumbar quadrant testLR+ 0.86 · LR− 1.16 · A weak test on its own
- Passive Lumbar Extension testLR+ 8.84 · LR− 0.18 · Treat with caution
- Prone Instability TestLR+ 1.7 · LR− 0.48 · A weak test on its own
- Sacral thrust testLR+ 2.5 · LR− 0.49 · A weak test on its own
- Slump testLR+ 4.9 · LR− 0.19 · Best used to rule out
- Straight Leg Raise (SLR)LR+ 1.2 · LR− 0.35 · A weak test on its own
- Thigh thrust (P4) testLR+ 2.8 · LR− 0.17 · Best used to rule out
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These pages give the published figures. Rule It In, Rule It Out adds, for every test with published figures in the chapter ‘The low back and pelvis’: how to do it, what counts as positive, how to read the result, and, where studied, whether combining tests helps.
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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.