What is the purpose of the Van der Wurff cluster?

• A. To detect cervical disc herniation
• B. To evaluate scoliosis
• C. To increase diagnostic accuracy for lumbar radiculopathy
• D. To assess knee joint stability

Answer: (C)

The idea behind the Van der Wurff cluster is to use a group of provocative signs that, taken together, improve your ability to spot lumbar nerve-root irritation. No single test nails lumbar radiculopathy on its own, but when several of the cluster maneuvers reproduce concordant leg symptoms or neurological signs, the probability that the pain is due to nerve-root compression goes up. This helps clinicians decide on further steps like imaging or targeted treatment.

It isn’t used to detect cervical disc problems, assess scoliosis, or judge knee ligament stability, since those areas involve different structures and exam findings.