| Babinski Test | The examiner runs an object along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the ball. If the great toe extends and the other toes fan out, the test is positive indicating an upper motor neuron lesion. The test is negative if the toes curl under indicating there is no nerve damage. |
| Femoral Nerve Test Stretch | The test is positive if flexing the thigh with the patient prone causes back or leg pain. This would indicate L3-L4 nerve root irritation. Also called Ely Sign. |
| Hoffmann Sign | For testing digital reflex. The examiner pinches the fingernail of the index middle and ring fingers. If this causes flexion of the terminal phalanx of the thumb and the second and third phalanx of some other finger, the test is positive. |
| Phalen's Test | The wrist is flexed as far as it will go and held for one minute which compresses the median nerve that runs through the carpal tunnel at the wrist. The test is positive for carpal tunnel syndrome if the patient experiences paresthesia or pain. |
| Tinel's Sign | The test suggests positive findings for carpal tunnel syndrome if the patient reports tingling sensation when the examiner taps the area over the median nerve. |
| Electromyogram (EMG) and Nerve conduction studies (NCS) | Electrodiagnostic tests performed demonstrating evidence of pressure or irritation of nerves such as a herniated cervical or lumbar disc. EMG identifies denervation of muscle in motor neuron disease and radiculopathy. NCS identifies entrapments of single nerves such as the median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome. |
By Medical Specialty
