In suspected cervical radiculopathy, which provocative test reproduces radicular symptoms?

• A. Spurling maneuver
• B. Straight leg raise
• C. Tinel's sign
• D. Phalen maneuver

Answer: (A)

To reproduce cervical radicular symptoms, stress the cervical nerve roots by narrowing the neural foramen and applying a compressive load through the neck. The Spurling maneuver does this: with the patient seated, place a hand on the top of the head and gently apply downward pressure while the neck is extended and rotated toward the affected side. If this elicits shooting arm pain or paresthesias in the dermatomal distribution of the involved nerve root, the test is positive and supports cervical nerve root compression.

The other maneuvers target different regions or mechanisms. The straight leg raise is used to provoke lumbar nerve root irritation from disc herniation, not cervical. Tinel's sign and Phalen maneuver are peripheral nerve provocative tests at the wrist/elbow areas, used for conditions like carpal tunnel or ulnar neuropathy, not cervical radiculopathy.