Which statement accurately describes the straight leg raise protocol?

Which statement accurately describes the straight leg raise protocol?

• A. The patient is supine with pelvis stabilised; the examiner lifts the relaxed straight leg by hip flexion with the knee fully extended, noting the angle of symptom onset and whether dorsiflexion or neck flexion alters symptoms.
• B. The patient stands on one leg and raises the leg with knee bent.
• C. The patient sits; the examiner raises the leg while the knee is flexed.
• D. The patient lies on stomach while the examiner flexes the knee.

Answer: (D)

The straight leg raise tests nerve tension in the lower spine by lifting a straight leg while the patient lies on their back, with the pelvis stabilized. The key is to raise the leg at the hip while keeping the knee straight and to note the angle at which symptoms begin, as well as whether dorsiflexion of the foot or neck flexion changes those symptoms. This setup specifically targets the sciatic nerve and lumbar nerve roots to help distinguish radicular pain from other sources like hamstring tightness. The description that matches this supine, extended-knee protocol is the one that mentions the patient on their back with the pelvis stabilized and the leg lifted by hip flexion while the knee remains straight, including observation of the onset angle and changes with dorsiflexion or neck flexion. The other statements describe different positions or tests that do not involve the standard straight leg raise mechanics.

The straight leg raise tests nerve tension in the lower spine by lifting a straight leg while the patient lies on their back, with the pelvis stabilized. The key is to raise the leg at the hip while keeping the knee straight and to note the angle at which symptoms begin, as well as whether dorsiflexion of the foot or neck flexion changes those symptoms. This setup specifically targets the sciatic nerve and lumbar nerve roots to help distinguish radicular pain from other sources like hamstring tightness.

The description that matches this supine, extended-knee protocol is the one that mentions the patient on their back with the pelvis stabilized and the leg lifted by hip flexion while the knee remains straight, including observation of the onset angle and changes with dorsiflexion or neck flexion. The other statements describe different positions or tests that do not involve the standard straight leg raise mechanics.