Ankle & Foot
Neurological & Vascular
Evidence: suggestive
Buerger’s Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing arterial blood supply to the leg (Peripheral Arterial Disease).
How to Perform
- Step 1 (Elevation): Patient lies supine. Elevate the leg to 45° for 3 minutes. Observe foot color.
- Step 2 (Dependency): Patient sits up quickly with legs hanging over the edge. Observe the refill time and color return.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test:
- Elevation: The foot turns pale (pallor) quickly.
- Dependency: The foot turns bright red (rubor) which is known as "reactive hyperemia."
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Buerger’s Test should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Ankle & Foot region, combining the Buerger’s Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment (7th ed.). Elsevier.
