Schober's test

Schober's test is a test used in rheumatology to measure the ability of a patient to flex his/her lower back.

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Procedure

The examiner makes a mark approximately at the level of L5 (fifth lumbar vertebra). The examiner then places one finger ~5 cm below this mark, and another, second, finger, ~10 cm above this mark. The patient is asked to touch his/her toes. By doing so, the distance between the two fingers of the examiner increases. However, a restriction in the lumbar flexion of the patient reduces this increase; if the distance increases less than 5 cm^[1], then there is an indication that the flexion of the lower back is limited.

History

The test was first described in 1937 by Schober.^[2]

References

1. ^ General Practice notebook
2. ^ Schober P (1937). "Lendenwirbelsäule und Kreuzschmerzen". Munch Med Wochenschr 84: 336-338.