FEMORAL NERVE

TRACTION TEST

​• Test positioning

The client lies on the uninvolved side with the hip and knee slightly flexed.

The therapist places one hand on the lateral aspect of the client's involved pelvis while the other hand grasps the involved lower leg.

​• Action

The client slightly flexes his head while the therapist completely extends the client's knee and extends the hip approximately 15-degrees.

The therapist then flexes the client's knee.

​• Positive finding

The motion of hip extension and knee flexion places the femoral nerve on stretch.

Subjective complaints of pain along the anterior thigh region may indicate decreased mobilization of the femoral nerve.

​• Special considerations & comments

The client's spine should be in a neutral position.

The location of subjectively reported pain should be carefully considered so that the therapist can differentiate between nerve roots.

The Femoral Nerve Traction Test is based on the work of Dr. Robert Elvey, who pioneered neural tension testing, with contributions from Dr. James Cyriax in assessing nerve involvement in lumbar and hip pathologies.