Understanding the Femoral Nerve Tension Test Assessment
To assess for mechanical tension or irritation of the **Femoral Nerve** (L2-L4 nerve roots).
Watch How It's Done
How do I start?
Patient is prone.
What happens?
The examiner stabilizes the pelvis and passively **flexes the patient's knee** (similar to Ely's Test). If this does not reproduce symptoms, the examiner then passively **extends the hip** while maintaining knee flexion.
In Plain English
What Does a Positive Result Mean?
The reproduction of the patient's familiar **anterior thigh pain or paresthesia** (numbness/tingling) due to the stretch on the femoral nerve.
Helpful Tip:
The combination of knee flexion and hip extension maximally elongates the femoral nerve.
Safety First
This guide is to help you understand what happens in a clinic. Do not try to diagnose yourself. If you have severe pain, swelling, or cannot put weight on your leg, please visit an urgent care center or your doctor immediately.
Other Hip/Lumbar Nerve Tension Tests
Bowstring Sign (or Slump Test Variation)
To assess for **Sciatic Nerve irritation or tension** due to disc herniation or other space-occupying lesions. *Note: This is often an extension of the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test.*
FAIR Test (Flexion, Adduction, Internal Rotation for Piriformis)
To assess for **Piriformis Syndrome**, where the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve.