Files of 355 patients presenting to the clinic with uncomplicated mechanical neck pain were analysed. Factors that affected the rate of positive responses for some tests were age, gender, and pain site, duration and cause. The number of previous episodes of neck pain had no effect on the positive test rates.
Orthopaedic testing is of minimal value with the possible exception of foraminal compression.
Selection of the most appropriate tests must take into account the patient profile and history.