Lumbar Spine Examination

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Inspection

• Gait
• Stature
• Build
• Transitioning movements
• Lumbar alignment coronal plane
• Lumbar alignment sagittal plane
• Pelvic alignment
• Thoracolumbar alignment coronal plane
• Thoracolumbar alignment sagittal plane

Palpation

• Skin drag
• Skin rolling
• Vertebral springing tenderness
• Rotation testing
• Iliac crest palpation
• PSIS palpation
• Long dorsal sacroiliac and sacrotuberous ligament palpation
• Iliopsoas palpation
• Gluteus medius, minimus, and piriformis palpation

Movement

• Forward flexion
• Extension
• Side flexion
• Rotation
• Extension/Rotation test

Special Tests

• Slump test
• Straight leg raise
• Sacroiliac joint provocation testing
• Iliopsoas length test
• Provocation test

Neurological Exam

• Tone
• Power
• Reflexes
• Sensation
• Plantar reflexes