What is a Straight Leg Raise Test?
The Straight Leg Raise which is also known by the name of Lasègue ’s Sign is a test done on a patient with low back botheration in purchase order valuate the campaign of the low back mean that whether the lowback painis induce due to aherniated discor some other pathological shape . This is quite an effective and accurate test to determine the causa of alow back pain . This in addition with radiological work pinpoint to the rudimentary cause of back pain sensation so that the treating medico can formulate an effectual handling plan for the patient .
How is Straight Leg Raise Test Done?
The Straight Leg Raise tryout is done with the affected role rest down on the examine tabular array and expect the patient to cabbage the ramification . If the patient is experience back pain on the left side then the odd stage will be take to raise and frailty versa . The patient role is asked to bring up the leg till botheration is felt in the back . The slant which the leg creates with respect to the floor determines whether the mental test is positive or minus . To increase the accuracy of the test the patient may also be need to dorsiflex the mortise joint and deform the cervix along with overturn the pegleg as this stretches the nerve root and dura mater .
Why is a Straight Leg Raise Test Done?
As stated , the Straight Leg Raise Test is done to pinpoint thecause of low back painfor a patient as to whether or not it is make by adisc herniation . This test stretches the sciatic nerve which courses down the back of the stage . If the patient experiences botheration behind the branch below the knee when the leg is raised then the test is deem as positive signification that one or more nervus roots leading to thesciatic nervemay be compressed or steamed . If Straight Leg Raise Test done on an unaffected peg causes pain in the affected peg then it also points to concretion of the nerve root leading to the sciatic nerve . densification of a nerve rootmay be caused due to many rationality with disc herniation being the most vulgar cause specifically at the lowest point of the spine which is the L5 level .
Straight Leg Raise Test Interpretation: What is the Diagnostic Significance of Straight Leg Raise Test on Back Pain?
Based on the results of the test , the physician can order further study and contrive a specific handling architectural plan for the patient role ’s symptom . Some of the interpretations of a Straight Leg Raise Test are :
Negative Straight Leg Raise Test which means that no pain is felt with the test signifies that there is no major disc herniation present but a underage protrusion still demand to be ruled out .
reading of Straight Leg Raise Test which is painful but is not limited signifies a minordisc protrusionand can be treated conservatively
Interpretation of Straight Leg Raise Test with a painful arc of motion signifies a small prominence with potential compressing of the nerve roots . By a sore discharge of motion we mean that when the patient is lift the leg for the trial run at a sure slant when the patient experiences anguish the patient is asked to maintain the peg at that angle and look for specific areas of the symptom and then try and rear the leg further if possible .
A terrible and limited Straight Leg Raise Test but without any other associated neurological symptoms signify a larger protrusion which may interfere with mobility of the spine .
rendering of painful and modified Straight Leg Raise Test with link up neurologic deficits signifies severe compressing of the brass roots due to significant disc hernia which impairs both the conductivity and mobility of the prickle and further investigations in such cases is essential to key out the magnitude of gibbousness and nerve root contraction .
A negative Straight Leg Raise Test but with colligate neurological deficit may signify sciatica which may wax and ebb and during periods of remitment the patient may have a negative Straight Leg Raise Test . This is also call as ischemic root atrophy meaning that there is important protrusion and the cheek root word is so compressed that it becomes ischemic . In such condition , the patient will have important motor and sensory deterioration . The patient may not feel any symptoms but anatomically the condition may be much worse that normal .
