Slump Test: Effect of Contralateral Knee Extension on Response Sensations in Asymptomatic Subjects and Cadaver Study. Issue 4 (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shacklock, Michael; Yee, Brian; Van Hoof, Tom; Foley, Russ; Boddie, Keith; Lacey, Erin; Poley, J. Bryan; Rade, Marinko; Kankaanpää, Markku; Kröger, Heikki; Airaksinen, Olavi
• Is Part Of: Spine. Volume 41:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: E205
• Page End: E210
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: contralateral -- dura -- low back pain -- lumbar nerve roots -- neurobiomechanics -- neurodynamic tests -- neurodynamics -- sciatica -- slump test; Spine -- Abnormalities -- Periodicals; Spine -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Spine -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 616.73005
• DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000001218
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0362-2436

Abstract

Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract : Study Design: Part 1: A randomized, single-blind study on the effect of contralateral knee extension on sensations produced by the slump test (ST) in asymptomatic subjects. Part 2: A cadaver study simulating the nerve root behavior of part 1. Objective: Part 1: Test if contralateral knee extension consistently reduces normal stretch sensations with the ST. Part 2: Ascertain in cadavers an explanation for the results. Summary of Background Data: In asymptomatic subjects, contralateral knee extension reduces stretch sensations with the ST. In sciatica patients, contralateral SLR also can temporarily reduce sciatica. We studied this methodically in asymptomatic subjects before considering a clinical population. Methods: Part 1: Sixty-one asymptomatic subjects were tested in control (ST), sham, or intervention (contralateral ST) groups and their sensation response intensity compared. Part 2: Caudal tension was applied to the L5 nerve root of 3 cadavers and tension behavior of the contralateral neural tissue recorded visually. Results: Part 1: Reduction of stretch sensations occurred in the intervention group but not in control and sham groups ( P ≤ 0 .001). Part 2: Tension in the contralateral lumbar nerve roots and dura reduced in a manner consistent with the responses in the intervention (contralateral ST) group. Conclusion: Part 1: In asymptomatic subjects, normal thigh stretch sensations with the ST reduced consistently with the contralateral ST, showing that this is normal and may now be compared with patients with sciatica. Part 2: Contralateral reduction in lumbar neural tension with unilateral application of tension-producing movements also occurred in cadavers, supporting the proposed explanatory hypothesis.