What is the Spurling test?

The Spurling test is a part of physical examination tests which will assist your doctor in diagnosing cervical radiculopathy or a pinched nerve in your neck. If you experience pain in the neck, your health care provider can provide you with this test. The Spurling test can let your provider know if something is compressing or rubbing on a nerve or is causing nerve root compression in your cervical spine.

The Spurling test is another test, in which a physician flexes your neck and turns your head and gently presses down; often, further testing with an imaging technique is required to make a diagnosis.

You may hear your provider refer to the Spurling test as the maximal cervical compression test or foraminal compression test. This may sound like a formal test, but you can think of it as a physical exam to assess neck pain.

When is the Spurling test performed?

A doctor may order the Spurling test if you have been experiencing symptoms of cervical radiculopathy, which means you have been showing signs of having a pinched nerve in the neck for more than a month. Neck pain caused by a pinched nerve is described by the following signs and symptoms:

• Neck, shoulder, and/or arm pain that can be described as characteristically radiating.
• Numbness or tingling.
• Weakness in your arms and hands.

How to prepare for the Spurling test?

Since this is a pretty simple physical exam, you will not have to do anything special to prepare for the Spurling test.

You may want to come dressed somewhat relaxed in the neck region since the provider will be performing the test there. An example of that could be avoiding wearing a turtleneck sweater or scarves, as well as avoiding heavy jewelry around the neck. If you normally wear a head covering, you are okay to keep that on.

The provider shall assess your medical history and perform a physical exam prior to your Spurling test.

Apart from the Spurling test, your doctor may permit you to undergo other tests if you have any of the following conditions:

• Cervical spine instability.
• Cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
• Recent injury to the spine.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Metastasis (metastatic cancer).

What to Expect in the Spurling Test?

It's often done in your healthcare provider's office. In most cases, it lasts only a few minutes.

In the Spurling test, the following occurs:

• Your healthcare provider tells you to stand up or sit down and remain still.
• He lightly places his hands on your head and neck.
• Slowly, he tilts, turns, rotates, pulls, and moves your head and neck in various directions.
• He applies gentle pressure on the top of your head.

They are trying to find some sign or symptom of a problem underlying. So it is very important to tell your provider how you feel. Your provider will talk with you also during the test so you know what she/he is doing as they are doing it. They may even ask you to raise your hand if you have something you felt was unpleasant or something like that and for you to describe your feelings at that time.

What happen during Spurling test?

During a Spurling test, you may or may not have pain. In addition to pain, some patients experience numbness or even weakness in the muscles.

If you feel anything, be sure to let your provider know when it is occurring. They will change their method of examination so that no motions are used that are likely to be irritating the symptom. They can move your head in a new way to get a sense of how much is going on but will not do this in a way that could make the pain you are feeling worse.

What are the risks of the Spurling test?

A doctor should exercise care to ensure that it does not pose a danger to the patient in conducting the Spurling test. Though this is very unlikely, permanent damage or nerve damage may be done with this test.

What do Spurling test results signify?

Spurling test results can either be negative or positive:

• Positive Spurling test: You felt pain or symptoms while doing the test. Your doctor may request other testing, including but not limited to a CT scan or MRI, to confirm that you have cervical radiculopathy.
• Negative Spurling test: You didn't experience any pain or symptom during the test. It is likely that you don't have cervical radiculopathy. Additional tests are probably necessary to establish such a finding.

When will my results be ready?

You will know right away what the results are after your provider has completed the test. They will share the results with you and what you might expect as a next step in the same sitting.

If Spurling test is positive, what would be the best course of action?

A positive result on the Spurling test may indicate to your provider that you have nerve compression in your neck. Your provider will probably order imaging tests or other testing types to confirm a diagnosis.

After a diagnosis has been confirmed, you may experience treatment. Some of the possible treatments include:

• Medications
• Rest or activity modification
• Participation in physical therapy
• Surgery

When should I call my doctor?

If you have neck pain-or other symptoms of a compressed nerve-for several weeks that worsen or do not go away, contact a healthcare provider. Your provider may perform the Spurling test to determine how symptoms affect you.

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