Which finding is less specific for cervical nerve root compression in the Spurling test?

Which finding is less specific for cervical nerve root compression in the Spurling test?

• A. Isolated neck pain.
• B. Ipsilateral arm pain.
• C. Paresthesia in the arm.
• D. Pain reproduced with axial compression.

Answer: (A)

Spurling test helps identify cervical nerve root compression by compressing or narrowing the neural passages and looking for radicular symptoms that travel into the arm. Findings that point to nerve root irritation are arm pain on the same side (ipsilateral), sensations like paresthesias in the arm, and a reproducible pain whenever you apply axial load or compression to the neck. These indicate the nerve root is being irritated along its path and is the most specific sign of radiculopathy. Isolated neck pain, on the other hand, doesn't involve the arm and can stem from non-radicular neck issues such as facet joint strain or muscular tension. Because it lacks the characteristic radiating pattern and provoked radicular symptoms, it is less specific for cervical nerve root compression.

Spurling test helps identify cervical nerve root compression by compressing or narrowing the neural passages and looking for radicular symptoms that travel into the arm. Findings that point to nerve root irritation are arm pain on the same side (ipsilateral), sensations like paresthesias in the arm, and a reproducible pain whenever you apply axial load or compression to the neck. These indicate the nerve root is being irritated along its path and is the most specific sign of radiculopathy.

Isolated neck pain, on the other hand, doesn't involve the arm and can stem from non-radicular neck issues such as facet joint strain or muscular tension. Because it lacks the characteristic radiating pattern and provoked radicular symptoms, it is less specific for cervical nerve root compression.