Clinical test · Lumbar spine
Straight Leg Raise
Reviewed by Dr. Ryan Rietz, D.P.T. and Dr. John Breyman, D.C.
A test for irritated nerve tissue in the low back and leg. Lifting the straight leg progressively tensions the sciatic nerve and its roots as they leave the lumbar spine. If a nerve root is compressed or sensitised, that tension reproduces the patient's radiating leg pain — which is a very different finding from the ordinary hamstring tightness most people feel at end range.
Also known as
- Lasègue's sign
- Lasegue test
- straight leg raise
- SLR test
- sciatic nerve test