Video – Femoral Nerve Traction Test

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Femoral Nerve Traction Test

The Femoral Nerve Traction Test is used to detect femoral nerve involvement. This test is also known as the Femoral Nerve Stretch Test.

To perform this test, the patient lies on the unaffected side with the lower knee and hip in slight flexion for stability. Support the patient’s pelvis and lift the involved limb while slowly drawing it backward to cause about 15 degrees of hip extension and then gradually flex the knee.

This test is considered positive if pain or paresthesia is produced over the anterior thigh. A positive test indicates femoral nerve irritation as well as L2, L3, or L4 nerve root involvement. Since knee flexion also stretches the quadriceps, pain arising from injury to these muscles needs to be distinguished from irritation of the femoral nerve.

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