Inverted Supinator Test
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Purpose[edit | edit source]
The inverted supinator (brachioradialis) test is used for identifying a lesion at the C5-C6 spinal cord segments. The inverted supinator reflex is a test that was introduced into clinical medicine by Babinski (1910). [1]
There are two components of this abnormal reflex:
- an absence of contraction of the brachioradialis muscle when the styloid process of the radius is tapped, and
- a hyperactive response of the finger flexor muscles; a response that is subserved by a lower spinal cord segment (C8).
Technique[edit | edit source]
A normal response is wrist pronation and/or elbow flexion.
A Positive test involves finger flexion and/or elbow extension [2]
Evidence[edit | edit source]
The test has demonstrated a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 78% [2]
Research study aimed at producing a cluster of predictive clinical test findings for a sample of a patient using a clinical diagnosis as the reference standard for CSM found that selected combinations of clinical findings: (1) gait deviation; (2) +Hoffmann’s test; (3) inverted supinator sign; (4) +Babinski test; and (5) age >45 years are good predictors of CSM and were effective in ruling out and ruling in cervical spine myelopathy.[3] The presence of 3 or 4 findings out of 5 displayed high specificity for ruling in CSM, and when only 1 of the 5 clinical findings was present, there was high sensitivity for ruling out CSM.
Resources[edit | edit source]
add any relevant resources here
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Estanol BV, Marin OS. Mechanism of the inverted supinator reflex. A clinical and neurophysiological study. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 1976 Sep 1;39(9):905-8.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Neck and Arm Pain Syndromes E-Book: Evidence-informed Screening, Diagnosis. Cesar Fernandez de las Penas, Joshua Cleland, Peter A. Huijbregts
- ↑ Cook C, Brown C, Isaacs R, Roman M, Davis S, Richardson W. Clustered clinical findings for diagnosis of cervical spine myelopathy. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. 2010 Dec 1;18(4):175-80.
- ↑ Physiotutors Inverted Supinator Sign | Upper Motor Neuron Lesion. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H5Pv8istcI&vl=es. Accessed on 25/2/21
