Fulcrum Test (Femoral stress fx)

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

The “fulcrum test” refers to a special test used to rule-in a femoral shaft stress fracture.¹

Technique

• Patient is seated with knees bent¹
• Clinician places arm under symptomatic thigh¹
• With the opposite hand, the clinician applies a gentle downward pressure from distal thigh/knee (into hip extension)¹

Grading

Sharp pain or apprehension when the fulcrum arm is placed under the fracture site is considered a positive test¹

Validity

No validity research has been performed on the fulcrum test¹

References

1.

Dutton M. Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention. 5th ed. McGraw Hill Education; 2020.