Spurling's test

Spurling's test is performed by rotating the patient's head and placing downward pressure on it.

The Spurling's test was 95% sensitive and 94% specific for diagnosing nerve root pathology.

One such sign, 'Spurling's test' is the reproduction of the patient's nerve symptoms by movements of the neck.

If radicular pain is elicited, this is called a positive Spurling's sign (i.e. the Spurling's test is positive).

In 2011, one study evaluated 257 patients with clinical cervical radiculopathy and correlated CT scan findings with clinical exam findings using the Spurling's test.

Spurling's test is somewhat specific when used for individuals with an abnormal electromyogram study but not a very sensitive physical examination maneuver in diagnosing cervical spondylosis or acute cervical (neck) radiculopathy.

Roy Glenwood Spurling (6 September 1894, Centralia, Missouri - 7 February 1968, La Jolla, California) was an American neurosurgeon remembered for describing Spurling's test.