Lumbar Spine Injuries and Special Tests

Question 1

What is radicular/sciatic nerve pain?

Answer 1

Pain radiating from lower back into posterior leg due to compressed sciatic nerve or nerve root.
Caused by herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis.

Question 2

Ssx of Sciatic Nerve Pain

Answer 2

Sharp or burning pain
Radiating pain along nerve pathway.
Other altered sensations.
Weakness of muscles along nerve pathway (nerve can be compression somewhere else not just in lumbar region).

Question 3

Assessments of Sciatic Nerve Pain

Answer 3

SLUMP Test
Straight Leg Raise
Valsalva Maneuver

Question 4

SLUMP Test

Answer 4

Positive = increase in pain or ssx at any point in the assessment, releasing position relieves ssx.
Indicates possible sciatic nerve injury/radiculopathy.

Question 5

Straight Leg Raise

Answer 5

Positive = increase in pain or ssx
-no pain means hamstrings tightness.
Indicates possible sciatic nerve injury/radiculopathy.

Question 6

Valsalva Maneuver

Answer 6

Indicates herniated disc.