straight leg raise
Lying leg elevation
A straight leg raise is a diagnostic maneuver where a patient lies flat while the examiner lifts one leg with the knee extended.
Pain radiating down the leg suggests nerve root irritation, typically from a herniated disc pressing on the sciatic nerve.
The test is also an exercise targeting hip flexors and abdominal muscles: Do three sets of ten straight leg raises on each side.
- hamstringCripple or thigh muscle
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- supineFlat, face upward
- lying flatPositioned horizontally, not upright
- sciaticaLumbar nerve inflammation
sciatic nerve · nerve · stretch · physical therapy · physical exam · hip joint · lumbar · lower back · pain · test · exercise · lying down · quad · range of motion · disc herniation · tension · core · core strength
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