The slump test is an effective orthopedic test that chiropractors use to look for entrapment of the sciatic nerve. The is the largest nerve in the body and many chiropractors will argue that it's also the most susceptible to entrapment.
Step 1
The first part of the slump test is to position the individual upright in a chair with the body leaning slightly forward. It is important not to flex the body forward. Only a slight lean of the upper trunk is necessary.
Step 2
The second step involves either the individual or the practitioner extending first the unaffected leg (putting the leg straight out), followed by the affected leg. A patient with acute sciatica will usually show a reaction of pain when steps 1 and 2 are combined together.
Step 3
If steps 1 and 2 did not produce any pain, additional stressing of the sciatic nerve may be needed. Step 3 involves the practitioner dorsi-flexing the individual's foot. While the leg is extended, the practitioner should pull the foot inward and up. As in step 2, this should be done first with the uninvolved leg.
Step 4
Step 4 involves grabbing the ankle of the now dorsi-flexed foot and pulling the thigh internally, or toward the doctor, who should be standing on the side of the opposite leg. This will put further stress on the sciatic nerve and may reproduce pain associated with a sciatic nerve entrapment.
Step 5
The final step of the slump test (only to be done if the first four were negative) is to have the patient flex his neck to his chest. This motion puts an opposite stress on the spinal cord and pulls the sciatic nerve into a more taut position.
Misconceptions
The slump test is a good identifier of a sciatic nerve lesion. However, it should be noted that this test needs to be preformed by a qualified health care professional. There are other diagnostic tests that have to be run in order to confirm the diagnosis suggested by the slump test.
Tags: sciatic nerve, slump test, , entrapment Step