What is the Femoral Nerve Stretch Test used for?

Diagnosing High Lumbar Radiculopathy (L2-L4 Nerve Roots).

How do you perform the Femoral Nerve Stretch Test?

Position: Patient lies prone (on stomach).Action: Examiner passively flexes the knee, bringing the heel toward the buttock. Can also extend the hip for more stretch.

What is a positive result for the Femoral Nerve Stretch Test?

Positive Test: Shooting pain into the anterior (front) thigh.Note: Tightness in the quadriceps is normal; look for neural reproduction of pain.

Femoral Nerve Stretch Test – Spine Special Test

What is it used for?

Diagnosing High Lumbar Radiculopathy (L2-L4 Nerve Roots).

How to Perform

Position: Patient lies prone (on stomach).
Action: Examiner passively flexes the knee, bringing the heel toward the buttock. Can also extend the hip for more stretch.

Interpretation of Results

Positive Test: Shooting pain into the anterior (front) thigh.
Note: Tightness in the quadriceps is normal; look for neural reproduction of pain.

Diagnostic Accuracy

Sensitivity: 84-95%

Clinical Context & Limitations

The Femoral Nerve Stretch 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 Femoral Nerve Stretch Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.