1|Page | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
NWHSU Spinal Orthopedic Tests
Questions and Answers (100% Pass)
O'Donoghue Maneuver
✓ Passive and resisted ROM
✓ + pain with passive = ligament sprain
✓ + pain with resisted ROM = muscle strain
Bakody Sign
✓ Patient feels better with arm on top of their head.
✓ + decrease in discomfort = cervical disc herniation, epidural vein
compression or nerve root compression (C5/C6 MC)
Distraction Test
✓ Doctor lifts I to S on patients head.
✓ + local pain = sprain/strain/spasm
✓ Relief of pain = disc defect or foramina encroachment
Foraminal Compression Test
Master01 | October, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1|Page | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
✓ Doctor applies downward pressure on the patients head, then with left
and right rotation.
✓ + local or radicular pain = cervical cord disease, meningitis,
osteophytes
✓ + electrical tingling sensation felt along spine or extremities = cervical
myelopathy or MS
Spurling Test
✓ Laterally flex patients head and apply downward pressure bilaterally.
✓ + local pain - facet joint involvement
✓ + radicular pain - lateral disc defect, DJD or foraminal encroachment
Lhermitte Sign
✓ Patient seated, passively flex patients head
✓ + local pain - suspect foraminal encroachment
✓ + Radicular pain - disc defect
Shoulder Depression Test
Master01 | October, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1|Page | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
✓ Patient seated, apply downward pressure on patients shoulder while
laterally flexing the head away (bilaterally)
✓ +local pain on side being tested - muscular adhesions, spasm or
ligament injury
✓ + radicular pain - compressed neurovascular bundle, dural sleeve
adhesions, TOS
✓ + pain on opposite side - foraminal encroachment, facet pathology,
disc defect
Valsalva Maneuver
✓ Patient seated, doc instructs patient to bear down by holding breath
and tightening abdomen.
✓ + local pain - disc defect, mass, osteophytes or other space occupying
lesion.
Adson Test
Master01 | October, 2024/2025 | Latest update
NWHSU Spinal Orthopedic Tests
Questions and Answers (100% Pass)
O'Donoghue Maneuver
✓ Passive and resisted ROM
✓ + pain with passive = ligament sprain
✓ + pain with resisted ROM = muscle strain
Bakody Sign
✓ Patient feels better with arm on top of their head.
✓ + decrease in discomfort = cervical disc herniation, epidural vein
compression or nerve root compression (C5/C6 MC)
Distraction Test
✓ Doctor lifts I to S on patients head.
✓ + local pain = sprain/strain/spasm
✓ Relief of pain = disc defect or foramina encroachment
Foraminal Compression Test
Master01 | October, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1|Page | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
✓ Doctor applies downward pressure on the patients head, then with left
and right rotation.
✓ + local or radicular pain = cervical cord disease, meningitis,
osteophytes
✓ + electrical tingling sensation felt along spine or extremities = cervical
myelopathy or MS
Spurling Test
✓ Laterally flex patients head and apply downward pressure bilaterally.
✓ + local pain - facet joint involvement
✓ + radicular pain - lateral disc defect, DJD or foraminal encroachment
Lhermitte Sign
✓ Patient seated, passively flex patients head
✓ + local pain - suspect foraminal encroachment
✓ + Radicular pain - disc defect
Shoulder Depression Test
Master01 | October, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1|Page | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
✓ Patient seated, apply downward pressure on patients shoulder while
laterally flexing the head away (bilaterally)
✓ +local pain on side being tested - muscular adhesions, spasm or
ligament injury
✓ + radicular pain - compressed neurovascular bundle, dural sleeve
adhesions, TOS
✓ + pain on opposite side - foraminal encroachment, facet pathology,
disc defect
Valsalva Maneuver
✓ Patient seated, doc instructs patient to bear down by holding breath
and tightening abdomen.
✓ + local pain - disc defect, mass, osteophytes or other space occupying
lesion.
Adson Test
Master01 | October, 2024/2025 | Latest update
