Video – Slump Test

Videos to help you sharpen your examination skills.
Educators are welcome to play these videos in class directly from this website.
Copyright © All rights reserved. Chiropractic Online CE ™ and Educom Continuing Education™

Select Exam Videos by Region

Select Exam Videos by Title Below

Acromioclavicular Crossover Test
Acromioclavicular Shear Test
Adductor Squeeze Test
Allis Test
Adson’s Test
Anterior Drawer Test
Ankle Clonus
Anterior Shoulder Instability Tests
Apley’s Compression Test
Apley’s Distraction Test
Apley’s Scratch Tests
Axial Cervical Compression Test
Babinski Response
Biceps Load Test II
Brudzinski’s Sign
Cerebellar Function Test
Cervical Distraction Test
Clarke’s Sign
Compression Rotation (Crank) Test
Cranial Nerve Examination
Dial Test
DeKleyn’s Test
Drop Arm Test
Eccentric Step Test
Empty Can Test
Ege’s Test
External Rotation Recurvatum Test
FABER Test (Patrick’s Test)
Femoral Nerve Traction Test
Finger Escape Sign 
Gaenslen’s Test
Gagey Hyperabduction Test
Gillet’s Test
Godfrey’s Test
Hautant’s Test
Hawkins-Kennedy Test
Helfet’s Test
Hoffmann’s Reflex
Hughston’s Posteromedial and Posterolateral Drawer Tests
Kernig’s Sign
Lachman’s Test
Lateral Pivot Shift Test
Load and Shift Test
Lhermitte’s Sign
Ludington’s Test
Lumbar Quadrant Test
Maximum Cervical Compression Test
McConnell’s Test
McMurray’s Test
Modified Schober Test
Neer Impingement Test
Neurological Screening Examination of C5 to T1 Nerve Roots
Neurological Screening Examination of L2 to S1 Nerve Roots
Noble’s Compression Test
Ober’s Test
O’Brien Test
Painful Arc Test
Patellar Apprehension Test
Patellar Ballottement Test and Bulge Sign
Patellar Tilt Test
Piriformis Test
Posterior Drawer Test
Posterior Sag Sign
Rinne Test
Romberg and Sharpened Romberg Tests
Roos Test
Sacral Thrust Test
Sacroiliac Compression Test
Sacroiliac Distraction Test
Scapular Assistance Test
Scapulohumeral Rhythm
Screening Examination of Cranial Nerves
Shoulder Abduction Test (Bakody’s Test)
Shoulder Depression Test
Slocum’s Test
Slump Test
Speed’s Test
Straight Leg Raise Test
Sulcus Sign
Thessaly Test (Merke’s Test)
Thigh Thrust Test
Tragus to Wall Test
Trendelenburg’s Test
Upper Limb Tension Test
Valgus Stress Test
Varus Stress Test
Valsalva Test
Waldron’s Test
Weber Test
Well Leg Raise Test
Yergason’s Test
Yeoman’s Test
Yocum Test

Slump Test

The Slump Test is designed to detect tension in the neuromeningeal tract via the combined movements of the spine and lower extremity. This test is typically used for a suspected lumbar disc herniation causing radiculopathy but it can be used for suspected lesions throughout the spine.

This test is performed in several stages that involve placing the patient in a series of positions to gradually and progressively stretch the neural structures. At each stage of the test, stop, and ask the patient if there is a reproduction or exacerbation of their symptoms. If so, this would constitute a positive result and no further testing is required.

To begin the test, the patient sits on the examination table with the hands behind the back. Place one hand on the patient’s upper thoracic spine and the other under the patient’s chin.

Ask the patient to slump forward while you continue to support the patient’s chin to keep the neck in a neutral position. If no symptoms are experienced, remove your hand from the chin and ask the patient to bring the chin toward the chest.

If no symptoms are experienced, apply pressure over the upper back and head to help sustain the slumped position and ask the patient to extend the knee on the involved side. If no symptoms are experienced, assist the patient to perform ankle dorsiflexion.  If the knee remains in its extended position and there is no reproduction or exacerbation of symptoms the Slump test is considered negative. On the other hand, if the patient is unable to maintain the knee extension and reports posterior thigh or leg pain it may be due to either neural or muscle tension.

To differentiate, release the pressure over the head and upper back and ask the patient to extend the neck. This reduces neuromeningeal traction. Ask the patient to reattempt full knee extension. If the patient is now able to increase knee extension, the Slump test is considered positive and suggests the presence of tension in the neuromeningeal tract.  If the patient is still unable to increase knee extension, muscle tightness should be considered as the cause.

A Chiropractic Online CE™ Production. Copyright © Educom Pty Ltd.

Please read the Disclaimer and Copyright statements at the bottom of this web page.

Disclaimer:  The Chiropractic Online CE ™ website (including the text, graphics and videos that appear on the chiropracticonlinece.com) are designed to offer users general health information for educational purposes only. The general health information furnished on this site is not intended to replace personal consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. You must always seek the advice of a healthcare professional for questions related to your disease, disease symptoms, and appropriate therapeutic treatments.

Copyright © Educom Pty Ltd: All material on this website (including the text, graphics, videos and downloadable files) are owned by or licensed to Educom Pty Ltd and is subject to copyright and other intellectual property rights under international conventions.