Upper Limb Tension Test 2/ ULTT2 / ULNT B to Assess the Median, Axillary & Cutaneous Nerve

The upper limb tension test can be seen as the equivalent of the straight leg raise test for the neurological structures of the upper limbs.

According to Apelby-Albrecht et al. (2009, the ULTT2 or ULNT B has a sensitivity of 66% and a specificity of 75% for the diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy. For every test, make sure to test the good side first.

ULTT2 or ULTTB is designed to put stress on the median nerve, the axillary nerve, and the musculocutaneous nerve.

The steps to perform this test are exactly the same as the ULTT1 except that you only abduct the arm to 10°. Then again, depress the shoulder and flex the elbow to 90°. Then extend your patient’s wrist and fingers, and slowly extend the elbow and watch your patient’s face closely for any signs of discomfort

Positive Outcome: The patient’s familiar arm symptoms like shooting pain or paresthesia are reproduced. Some authors score the test negative in case of a marked decrease of mobility (>10°)

If you are interested in the other Upper Limb Tension Tests, check out the links below:

• Upper Limb Tension Test 1 /ULNT A
• Upper Limb Tension Test 3 / ULNT C
• Upper Limb Tension Test 4 / ULNT D

Apelby-Albrecht, M., Andersson, L., Kleiva, I.W., Kvåle, K., Skillgate, E. and Josephson, A., 2013. Concordance of upper limb neurodynamic tests with medical examination and magnetic resonance imaging in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a diagnostic cohort study. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 36(9), pp.626-632.