Soto-Hall Test

What is the "Soto-Hall Test" used for?

• Nonspecific test of cervical spine function.

How to perform the "Soto-Hall Test"?

• The patient is supine and first actively raises his or her head slightly to bring the chin as close as possible to the sternum . 
• The examiner then passively tilts the patient’s head forward, at the same time exerting light pressure on the sternum with the other hand.

What is the positive result?

• Pain in the back of the neck when pressure is applied during passive raising of the head suggests a bone or ligament disorder in the cervical spine.
• Pulling pain occurring when the patient actively raises the neck is primarily due to shortening of the posterior neck musculature.

References

• Clinical Tests for the Musculoskeletal System 3rd Edition.