Execution
- 1Have the patient sit with both upper limbs exposed enough for side-to-side comparison.
- 2Test light touch and / or pinprick over key cervical dermatomes from C5 to T1.
- 3Compare the symptomatic side with the contralateral side and ask whether sensation is normal, reduced, increased, or altered.
- 4Map any sensory change and check whether it follows a root pattern or peripheral nerve pattern.
- 5Integrate the sensory pattern with myotomes, reflexes, and radicular provocation tests.
Positive outcome
Reduced, absent, or clearly altered sensation in a dermatomal distribution is positive. Non-dermatomal or inconsistent sensory loss should be interpreted cautiously and compared with peripheral nerve territories.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wainner et al. (2003) | 0.16-0.67 | 12-29 | 66-86 | 0.82-1.16 | 0.61-2.10 |
CommentDermatome testing is useful for localisation but weak as a standalone diagnostic test because sensory patterns vary and overlap. It should be paired with motor, reflex, and symptom-behaviour findings.
Low Clinical Value