Thoracic and Lumbar Specialty Tests

Question 1

Describe the straight leg raise (Lasegue) test

Answer 1

Patient lies supine

Passively flex the patients ipsilateral hip with the knee extended

add dorsiflexion to increase the dural tension in the low lumbar and high sacral regions

Question 3

What is a positive test of the Straight leg raise and what does it indicate?

Answer 3

Presence of worsening pain radiating into the ipsilateral leg between 30-60 degrees especially, worsened pain with dorsiflexion

Indicates a lumbosacral radiculopathy from a herniated disc or sciatic neuropathy

Question 4

What would be indicative of a muscle strain or joint disease in the straight leg raise?

Answer 4

Pain at an angle that is greater than 70 degrees

Question 5

Describe pain at 15 degrees in the straigh leg raise; what could it be indicative of?

Answer 5

IT band contracture

Question 6

Describe the contralateral (crossed) straight leg raise test

Answer 6

Patient is supine. Passively flex the contralateral hip with the knee extended

***positive test is the presence or worsening pain in the contralateral leg between 30-60 degrees

Question 7

What does a positive contralateral straight leg raise indicate?

Answer 7

Lumbosacral and radiculopathy from a herniated disc or neuropathy