Bowstring Test (Cram Test) |
Examination type |
neurological test |
Patient & Body Segment Positioning |
The Subject lies supine on flat surface. |
Examiner Position |
Examiner stands centered with the knee’s of the
patient;one hand on the sole of the foot and the other on the
knee. |
Tissues
Being Tested |
The popliteal fossa and the sciatic nerve. |
Positive Test |
Painful radicular reproduction following
popliteal compression indicates tension on the sciatic nerve.
|
Interpretation |
This could indicate that there is a disk bulging
out putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. |
Common errors in
performing exam |
Miss placed hands |
Factors possibly
resulting in misinterpretation |
Pain maybe felt but in other areas besides the
targeted area. Ask the patient to be very specific in order to
get the point of pain exactly right. |
Related tests |
|
References |
Slack Books: Special Tests for Orthopedic
Examination, Third Edition, 2006: Konin, Wiksten, Isear, and
Brader. |
Links: |
www.slackbooks.com
How the Test is Performed
DESCRIPTION OF
TEST BEING PERFORMED
The examiner
performs a passive straight leg raise on the involved side.
The examiner then passively flexes the leg to about 20 degrees and
asks patient if pain had been reduced. |
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