Purpose of Jackson’s Compression Test: To identify the presence of cervical radiculopathy among patients with upper quadrant pain.

Patient Position: Sitting upright.

Examiner Position: Beside or behind the patient.

Procedure: Ask the patient to turn/rotate the head to the unaffected side. Carefully apply axial compression vertically downwards through the head. Repeat the same on the affected side.

Outcome: Jackson’s Compression Test is positive if the patient has radiating pain down the arm on the corresponding dermatome ipsilaterally. The findings should be used to confirm cervical radiculopathy/nerve compression, in conjunction with other neurologic/manual tests.

Reference:
1. Magee DJ. Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier; 2008.
2. Fishman, S., et al. (2010). Bonica’s Management of Pain, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
3. Buckup, K. (2004). Clinical Tests for the Musculoskeletal System, Thieme.