Spine
Cervical Spine
Evidence: confirmed
Jackson's Compression Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Diagnosing Cervical Radiculopathy (Alternative to Spurling's).
How to Perform
- Position: Patient seated.
- Action: Patient rotates head to the painful side.
- Force: Examiner applies downward axial compression without side-bending or extension.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Radiating pain into the arm.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Jackson's Compression 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 Spine region, combining the Jackson's Compression Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
