What is the aim of the Kemp Test?

• A. Assessment of muscle strength
• B. Evaluation of nerve root compression
• C. Determining joint range of motion
• D. Testing for tendon reflexes

Answer: (B)

The aim of the Kemp Test is specifically to evaluate nerve root compression, particularly in individuals presenting with lower back pain. During the Kemp Test, the patient is asked to extend and laterally flex their spine, which can reproduce pain if there is an underlying issue affecting the spinal nerves, such as a herniated disc or degenerative conditions.

This test is particularly valuable in diagnosing conditions that cause radicular pain, where the pain radiates down the leg due to nerve root irritation or compression. By inducing specific movements that target the lumbar region and observing the patient's response, clinicians can gather important information about the presence of neurologic compromise associated with lumbar spine pathology.

The other options focus on different aspects of physical assessment, such as muscle strength, joint range of motion, and tendon reflexes, which while important in their own right, do not specifically evaluate nerve root pathology in the same targeted manner as the Kemp Test.