Physical Exam

Spurling Test

also known as Foraminal compression test

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

With the patient seated, extend and laterally bend (and slightly rotate) the neck toward the symptomatic side, then apply gentle downward (axial) pressure on the top of the head. A positive test is reproduction of radiating pain or paresthesia down that arm.

How to Interpret

This test’s findings are all below your current evidence filter.

References

Thoomes EJ, Arvanitidis M, van Geest S, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of physical examination tests for painful cervical radiculopathy: update of a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2026;27(1):338. doi:10.1186/s12891-026-09551-0. Open access via Springer Link. Updates Thoomes EJ et al. Value of physical tests in diagnosing cervical radiculopathy: a systematic review. Spine J. 2018;18(1):179-189. Underlying primary studies for Spurling's test include Wainner RS, Fritz JM, Irrgang JJ, Boninger ML, Delitto A, Allison S. Reliability and diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination and patient self-report measures for cervical radiculopathy. Spine. 2003;28(1):52-62 (sens 0.50 / spec 0.88, n=82) and Tong HC, Haig AJ, Yamakawa K. The Spurling test and cervical radiculopathy. Spine. 2002;27(2):156-159 (sens 0.30 / spec 0.93, n=255).
Spurling RG, Scoville WB. Lateral rupture of the cervical intervertebral discs. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1944;78:350-358.