what are the special tests for low back pain?
Special Tests for Low Back Pain: A Detailed Guide for Clinicians Low back pain (LBP) is among the most prevalent musculoskeletal complaints worldwide, affecting up to 80% of people at some point in their lives.¹ Proper differential diagnosis is critical to guide effective treatment. In addition to history taking and imaging, special orthopedic and neurodynamic tests help identify pain generators—whether discogenic, radicular, facet-mediated, or sacroiliac in origin. This article reviews the most commonly used special tests for low back pain, covering purpose , procedure , positive findings , and clinical utility . 📚 Why Special Tests Matter in Low Back Pain Targeted Diagnosis : Pinpoint the anatomical structure responsible (disc, nerve root, facet joint, SIJ). Treatment Planning : Guide manual therapy, stabilization exercises, and referral decisions. Prognosis & Monitoring : Track changes over time and response to interventions. No single test is perfectly sensitiv...