What does the slump test indicate when positive?

What does the slump test indicate when positive?

• A. Muscle strain
• B. Radiculopathy caused by a disc lesion
• C. Joint dislocation
• D. Knee ligament injury

Answer: (B)

The slump test is a clinical examination maneuver used to assess for the presence of neural tension, particularly conditions involving spinal nerve roots or radiculopathy. A positive slump test indicates that the patient's neurological symptoms, like pain or discomfort, increase when the test is performed. This response suggests that there might be involvement of a nerve root due to irritation, typically caused by a herniated disc or other factors leading to nerve compression. Specifically, when a patient presents with a positive slump test, it points towards radiculopathy, which is often associated with a disc lesion that affects the nerve roots as they exit the spinal canal. This is significant for differentiating between different types of pain and discomfort based on their source. Conditions like muscle strain, joint dislocation, or knee ligament injuries do not primarily affect neural pathways or evoke the specific neurological symptoms that the slump test aims to uncover. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the relationship between the test outcome and nerve root involvement due to a disc lesion.

The slump test is a clinical examination maneuver used to assess for the presence of neural tension, particularly conditions involving spinal nerve roots or radiculopathy. A positive slump test indicates that the patient's neurological symptoms, like pain or discomfort, increase when the test is performed. This response suggests that there might be involvement of a nerve root due to irritation, typically caused by a herniated disc or other factors leading to nerve compression.

Specifically, when a patient presents with a positive slump test, it points towards radiculopathy, which is often associated with a disc lesion that affects the nerve roots as they exit the spinal canal. This is significant for differentiating between different types of pain and discomfort based on their source. Conditions like muscle strain, joint dislocation, or knee ligament injuries do not primarily affect neural pathways or evoke the specific neurological symptoms that the slump test aims to uncover. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the relationship between the test outcome and nerve root involvement due to a disc lesion.