How do you perform the Tauryn Test?

• A. Patient supine, knees straight, dorsiflex big toe
• B. Patient seated, extend the knee fully
• C. Patient prone, flex the knee to 90 degrees
• D. Patient supine, flex the knee at 90 degrees

Answer: (A)

The correct method to perform the Tauryn Test involves the patient being supine with their knees extended while dorsiflexing the big toe. This specific position and action are necessary to evaluate the integrity of the sciatic nerve and the lumbar plexus. By dorsiflexing the big toe, you are assessing the nerve pathways that may be affected by conditions related to the lower extremity, specifically focusing on how these positions may reproduce symptoms indicative of nerve tension or dysfunction in the lower limb.

Other methods mentioned would not elicit the same responses necessary for the Tauryn Test. For instance, having the patient seated while extending the knee or lying prone with the knee flexed would involve different muscle and nerve interactions that are not relevant to the specific evaluation for which the Tauryn Test is designed. The supine position with a flexed knee may also not appropriately assess the nerve dynamics that the test aims to evaluate. Hence, the correct response highlights the importance of specific patient positioning and the targeted movement to accurately perform the Tauryn Test.