Schober test

Introduction

Measures flexion of the lumbar spine.

Clinical significance

• test is important because the largest contribution to a forward bend is from hip flexion
• some patients can touch the floor despite a fixed spine

Procedure

• the patient stands erect, with heels together,
• marks are made over the spine 5 cm below & 10 cm above the lumbosacral junction (horizontal line between the posterior iliac spines)
• the patient bends forward as far as possible & the distance between the 2 marks is measured
• normally, the distance increases by >= 5 cm
• an increase in < 5 cm indicates early lumbar ankylosis

More general terms

• physical examination technique

Additional terms

• ankylosing spondylitis, axial spondyloarthritis; Marie Strumpell disease; Bechterew's disease (AS)