What is the primary purpose of Spurling's Test?

Spurling's Test is primarily designed to assess for cervical nerve root involvement, particularly the presence of cervical radiculopathy, which often results from nerve root compression due to disc herniation, osteophytes, or other lesions in the cervical spine. During the test, the clinician applies a compressive force to the patient's head while the neck is positioned in side-bending and extension, which may reproduce radicular symptoms if a nerve root is compromised.

The test capitalizes on the anatomical relationships within the cervical spine, allowing for the identification of neurological symptoms that may indicate nerve root irritation or compression. Positive findings typically include pain or sensory changes radiating down the arm, suggesting that the nerve root is being impinged upon.

While other options relate to various cervical spine issues, they do not align with the specific purpose of Spurling's Test. For instance, vertebral artery pathology is not directly assessed by this test; rather, other maneuvers that focus on arterial flow are utilized. Similarly, cervical instability and upper cervical spine mobility involve different clinical assessments and are not the main focus of Spurling's Test. This makes the primary purpose of the test clear and specific to nerve root involvement.