Spurling Sign

Last edited and medically reviewed by Alaric Steinmetz on 09.11.2022

The Spurling test is performed in patients with radicular symptoms in the cervical spine.

Procedure

During the Spurling test, axial pressure is applied and the head is flexed toward the symptomatic side¹ . In a positive Spurling sign, narrowing of the intervertebral foramen leads to exacerbation of the preexisting pain symptoms. Axial traction on the head, on the other hand, often improves the radicular symptoms.

Figure

Examination of the Spurling sign — Schematic performance of the Spurling test (illustration adapted from Eubanks J.)

References

Eubanks J. Cervical radiculopathy: nonoperative management of neck pain and radicular symptoms. Am Fam Physician. 2010;81(1):33-40. ↩ ↩

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