Hoover’s test – What is the purpose, indication and relevance?

Hoover’s Test: Client is supine. Practitioner places their hands under the client’s heels and instructs the client to lift each leg. If the leg is truly weak or paralyzed, the patient will involuntarily push downward with the non-affected leg, which would be felt as pressure on the examiner’s hand

Purpose:

• Assess for malingering

Indications:

• Lower limb weakness or paralysis

Relevance:

• Positive test – no counter pressure felt by the practitioner on the healthy side is indicative of malingering

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This post was written by Omar Rifai