Femoral Nerve Entrapment Test

Assess your patient's femoral nerve with the Femoral Nerve Entrapment Test. Access a free template and a comprehensive guide to performing the test effectively.

By Emma Hainsworth on Aug 2, 2025.

Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.

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What is a Femoral Nerve Entrapment Test?

The Femoral Nerve Entrapment Test is used in clinical settings to evaluate the femoral nerve (FN) and the mid-lumbar nerve roots (L2–L4). It helps medical practitioners identify nerve root impingements and upper lumbar disc herniations. This test is also called the femoral nerve stretch test, Mackiewicz test, or reverse Lasègue sign (Kulow et al., 2021).

During the test, the patient lies in a prone position (face down), and the knee is flexed. A positive result is indicated by pain in the anterior thigh, which suggests femoral nerve irritation. However, false positives may occur in cases of hip dysfunction, diabetic neuropathy, or injuries to the anterior thigh or iliopsoas complex (Kulow et al., 2021).

This test plays a crucial role in comprehensive neurological and orthopedic assessments. To assist in the evaluation process, we have designed a detailed Femoral Nerve Entrapment Test template as a practical guide and documentation tool.

Femoral Nerve Entrapment Test Template

Femoral Nerve Entrapment Test PDF Template

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How to use our Femoral Nerve Entrapment Test template

Carepatron has created an easy-to-use Femoral Nerve Entrapment Test template to streamline the assessment and your clinical documentation. Follow these steps to get started:

Step 1: Access the template

Download the template directly from this guide by clicking the “Use this template” or “Download” button. Alternatively, you can search for "Femoral Nerve Entrapment Test" in Carepatron's template library, available on both the website and the app.

Step 2: Complete the test

Before performing the test, complete the required fields in the template, including the patient’s name, your name, and the date of the examination. Once this information is filled out, proceed to conduct the test. Then, follow the steps included in the template to conduct the test. This will ensure that you adhere to the correct procedure and document all necessary details.

Step 3: Interpret the results

After completing the test, document the findings in the template. A positive test result is indicated if the patient experiences tightness in the anterior thigh or reports a shooting, stabbing, or burning sensation consistent with nerve pain.

Step 4: Proceed with further testing

The femoral nerve test is not sufficient on its own to confirm a diagnosis of femoral nerve entrapment. Additional evaluations should be conducted to arrive at a comprehensive diagnosis, including physical. examinations, patient interviews, and imaging studies such as CT scans, EMGs, ors.

Step 5: Save the template securely

After completing the test, ensure the template is stored securely. Consider using Carepatron's patient record system for digital records, which provides a safe and efficient way to manage patient data. If using a paper copy, make sure it is stored in a secure and confidential location to protect patient privacy.

Benefits of our Femoral Nerve Entrapment Test template

Here are some of the benefits of using our free printable template:

Streamlined documentation

The template provides a structured and user-friendly format, ensuring that all critical details are captured accurately and efficiently. This includes patient information, step-by-step test instructions, and precise documentation of test results. By standardizing the documentation process, the template reduces variability and enhances the reliability of clinical records.

Time-saving

The template is designed to simplify the testing process with clear, concise instructions and pre-formatted sections. This eliminates the need for extensive preparation or manual formatting, significantly reducing the time spent on administrative tasks. As a result, practitioners can dedicate more time to patient care and focus on delivering high-quality assessments.

Improved accuracy

By providing a detailed guide for performing the test, the template helps ensure consistency and precision during each examination step. This reduces the likelihood of errors or omissions, resulting in more reliable test outcomes. A built-in interpretation guide also supports accurate analysis of results, minimizing false positives or misdiagnoses.

Secure record-keeping

Designed for digital and paper formats, the template ensures patient records are securely stored and easily retrievable. It integrates seamlessly with systems like Carepatron’s patient record management for digital use, adhering to strict confidentiality and compliance standards. This ensures that sensitive patient information is protected at all times.

Reference

Kulow, C., Reske, A., Leimert, M., Bechmann, I., Winter, K., & Steinke, H. (2021). Topography and evidence of a separate "fascia plate" for the femoral nerve inside the iliopsoas - A dorsal approach. Journal of anatomy, 238(5), 1233–1243. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.13374

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Commonly asked questions

The femoral nerve entrapment test, sometimes referred to as the femoral nerve tension test or prone knee bending test, is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate potential irritation or dysfunction of the femoral nerve. During the test, the patient lies face down (prone), and the clinician flexes the knee to stretch the femoral nerve. A positive result occurs if the patient experiences pain or discomfort in the anterior thigh, which may indicate conditions like upper lumbar radiculopathy or high lumbar radiculopathy.

This test is commonly used to assess issues related to the lumbar plexus, such as nerve compression and injuries affecting the spinal cord or peripheral nerves. It is also helpful in differentiating femoral nerve dysfunction from conditions like sciatic nerve irritation, particularly in cases involving lower back or leg pain.

Hip extension and knee flexion are critical movements in the Femoral Nerve Entrapment Test because they create a stretch along the femoral nerve. These actions help pinpoint nerve tension or irritation, enabling clinicians to identify the source of symptoms and assess the involvement of structures like the hip flexors.