Clinical Tests | A list of clinical tests that detects/confirms a physical or mental feature which is regarded as an indication of a disease.
Purpose of Sharp Purser Test: To determine if subluxation of the atlas on the axis vertebra is present and diagnose atlantoaxial instability (1). Patient position: Sitting. Examiner position: Standing beside the patient. Procedure: Ask the patient to perform a slight cervical retraction/nod to correct the poke chin posture. Place the palm of one hand over the patient’s forehead. Place the thumb and the index finger … Continue reading Sharp Purser Test
Purpose of Transverse Ligament Stress Test: To test the stability (hypermobility) of the atlantoaxial articulation and the integrity of the supporting transverse ligament (1, 2). Patient position: Supine lying with the head rested on the examination table (supported by a pillow) in neutral alignment. Examiner position: Standing on the head side while the patient is lying supine. Procedure: Give gentle support to your patient’s occiput … Continue reading Transverse Ligament Stress Test
Purpose of Hallpike-Dix Test: To determine whether vertigo is triggered by head movements and identify benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV) (1-3). Patient position: Sitting with legs extended on the examination table, and the patient’s head is rotated/turned 45 degrees toward the ear to be tested. Examiner position: Standing behind the patient on the head side, while the patient is in a long sitting position on … Continue reading Hallpike-Dix Test
Purpose of Kernig’s sign: To determine if the patient has inflammation of the meninges (meningitis) (1). Patient position: Lying supine (conventional practice). VM Kernig originally elicited this sign by having the patient in sitting position. Examiner position: Standing beside the bed, facing the patient. Procedure: With the patient lying supine, flex one of the patient’s legs (hip and knee joints) to 90 degrees, and then … Continue reading Kernig’s sign
Purpose of Brudziński’s symphyseal sign : To determine if the patient has inflammation of the meninges (meningitis) (1). Patient position: Lying supine. Examiner position: Standing beside the bed, facing the patient. Procedure: With the patient lying supine, place the heel of your hands on patient’s pubic symphysis and apply gentle pressure. Outcome: If this manoeuvre causes involuntary flexion of the patient’s hips and knees and … Continue reading Brudziński’s symphyseal sign
