A neurodynamic test checks the length, mobility and mechanical sensitivity of the neurological tissues (1). For a neurodynamic test to be positive, the limb/joint positioning sequence should reproduce the patient’s symptoms associated with radiculopathy along with/without a measurable asymmetry between left and right sides. A positive neurodynamic test indicates multiple pathogeneses, which may include increased tension in the dura mater and the nerves, compression on the nerve roots due to disc-related disorders, and/or the resulting chemical and mechanical sensitivity of the nervous tissue. However, the neurodynamic tests should not be used in isolation to diagnose neural tissue pathologies (2). Special tests such as these should always be combined with the results of history and physical findings in order to increase the predictive value of these diagnostic tools (3).

Upper Limb Neural Tension Tests:

1. Upper limb tension (neurodynamic) test 1 – Median Nerve, Anterior Interosseous Nerve and C5,6,7 Nerve Root Bias
2. Upper limb tension (neurodynamic) test 2A – Median Nerve, Musculocutaneous Nerve and Axillary Nerve Root Bias
3. Upper limb tension (neurodynamic) test 2B – Radial Nerve Bias
4. Upper limb tension (neurodynamic) test 3 – Ulnar Nerve and C8, T1 Nerve Root Bias

Slump Tests:

5. Slump test 1 – Spinal Cord, Sciatic Nerve, Cervical and Lumbar Nerve Root Bias
6. Slump test 2 – Obturator Nerve Bias
7. Slump (side-lying knee bend) test 3 – Femoral Nerve Bias
8. Slump (long sitting) test 4 – Spinal Cord, Sciatic Nerve, Cervical and Lumbar Nerve Root Bias

Lower Limb Neural Tension Tests:

9. Prone knee bend test 1 – Femoral Nerve, L1-4 Nerve Root Bias
10. Prone knee bend test 2 – Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Bias
11. Prone knee extension test – Saphenous Nerve Bias
12. Straight leg raise test 1 – Basic
13. Straight leg raise test 2 – Tibial Nerve Bias
14. Straight leg raise test 3 – Sural Nerve Bias
15. Straight leg raise test 4 – Common Peroneal Nerve Bias
16. Straight leg raise test 5 – Crossed Straight Leg (Well-Leg) Raising Test of Fajersztajn
17. Straight leg raise test 6 – modified for patients who cannot lie supine
18. Bilateral Straight Leg Raise Test

References:

1. Butler DS, Matheson J. The Sensitive Nervous System: Noigroup Publications; 2000.
2. Baselgia LT, Bennett DL, Silbiger RM, Schmid AB. Negative Neurodynamic Tests Do Not Exclude Neural Dysfunction in Patients With Entrapment Neuropathies. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2017;98(3):480-6.
3. Andersson GB, Deyo RA. History and physical examination in patients with herniated lumbar discs. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1996;21(24 Suppl):10s-8s.