Ads
related to: sciatica diagnostic tests
Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
The most frequently used diagnostic test is the straight leg raise to produce Lasègue's sign, which is considered positive if pain in the distribution of the sciatic nerve is reproduced with passive flexion of the straight leg between 30 and 70 degrees. [38]
Positive sign is any kind of sciatic pain (radiating, sharp, shooting pain) or reproduction of other neurological symptoms. This indicates impingement of the sciatic nerve, dural lining, spinal cord, or nerve roots. [1] This test can have a lot of false-positives and should be used with other orthopedic test to make the final diagnosis.
Nerve conduction studies are beneficial to diagnose certain diseases of the nerves of the body. The test is not invasive, but can be painful due to the electrical shocks administered during the test. The shocks are associated with a low amount of electric current, so they pose minimal risk to the patients.
The straight leg raise is a test that can be performed during a physical examination, with the leg being lifted actively by the patient or passively by the clinician. If the straight leg raise is done actively by the patient, it is a test of functional leg strength, particularly the rectus femoris element of the quadriceps (checking both hip flexion and knee extension strength simultaneously).
The sciatic nerve is highly mobile in the deep gluteal space with hip and even knee movements. [7] For example, hip flexion with knee extension (also called a straight leg raise) causes the sciatic nerve in the deep gluteal space to move 28mm towards the center of the body. [14] Hip movements may also create dynamic impingement between muscles.
Symptoms of the condition include lower back pain, back stiffness, numbness or weakness in the feet, difficulty walking or standing for longer than a few minutes at a time, and sciatica (leg pain).