Contents

Search

straight leg raising (SLR)

Indications: - evaluation of sciatica Procedure: - stretching the sciatic nerve to see if radicular symptomatology is reproduced - each hip is alternately flexed with the knee extended; the extent to which each leg can be lifted is noted - raising the leg with the knee extended stretches the nerve root over the protruded disk & results in a nocifensive response of muscle contraction Interpretation: Evidence of sciatica suggested by 1) pain below the knee at < 70 degrees 2) indicates nerve root compression at L5-S1 3) crossed straight leg raising -> pain elicited on affected side with contralateral straight leg raising

Related

passive leg raising sciatica; lumbosacral radiculopathy; sciatic neuropathy

General

physical examination technique

References

  1. nlmpubs.nlm.nih.gov/hstat/ahcpr/
  2. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed. Fauci et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1998, pg 75