Straight Leg Raise

Only positive in Pattern 3: Sciatica/Lumbar radiculopathy

• Sensitive (91%) but not specific (26%)
• Induction of leg pain (not back pain) = Positive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdAD9GNv8FI

Procedure

• patient lies supine with the unaffected hip and knee flexed
  • this rotates the pelvis eliminating painful hamstring tightness in the leg being lifted
• passive test - the examiner lifts the affected leg
• a positive test is reproduction or exacerbation of the typical leg-dominant pain - the patient with back dominant pain should not have a positive SLR
  • Reproduction of back pain is NOT a positive test; it merely indicates mechanical pain
• the leg pain can be produced at any degree of leg elevation