Lumbar Spine

Question 1

Straight leg

Answer 1

Sciatica

30 to 70 degrees indicates sciatic nerve compression.

Question 2

Babinski sign

Answer 2

Spinal disorder or disease. May be done after fall or damage to spine to ensure neurological function of the body is still fine.

Run pointed object on lateral aspect of foot before moving towards midline and big toe. A positive test would be if the big toe extended.

Question 3

Slump test

Answer 3

Lumbar spine nerve impingement

Patient seated at end of bed. Hands behind back, and slump. Then gently apply over pressure to the upper thoracic, and ask patient to flex neck. Then add over pressure to head, and ask patient to extend knee on effected side. Then add dorsiflexion to ankle of effected side. Slump test is positive if neurological symptoms are reproduced.