Purpose: To identify patients with neck and arm pain likely presenting with cervical radiculopathy based on specific patient characteristics.
Stage of CPR Development: Derivation.
Rule:
1. Positive Upper Limb Tension Test A
2. Involved cervical rotation < 60 degrees
3. Positive Distraction Test
4. Positive Spurling’s A
Interpretation:
| Variables | Sensitivity | Specificity | +LR | Post-Test Prob |
| 2 | 0.39 | 0.56 | 0.88 | 21% |
| 3 | 0.39 | 0.94 | 6.10 | 65% |
| 4 | 0.24 | 0.99 | 30.30 | 90% |
Research:
1. Wainner RS, et al. Reliability and diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination and patient self-report measures for cervical radiculopathy. Spine. 2003; 28(1): 52-62.
2. Waldrop MA. Diagnosis and treatment of cervical radiculopathy using a clinical prediction rule and a multimodal intervention approach: a case series. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006; 36(3): 152-9.
Continued Learning…
Continued Reading…
John Snyder, DPT 