Physical Exam

Straight Leg Raise

also known as Lasègue sign

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

With the patient supine, lift the symptomatic leg by the heel, slowly flexing the hip while keeping the knee straight. A positive test is radiating leg pain below the knee at about 30–70° of hip flexion. Pain limited to the low back or posterior thigh does not constitute a positive test.

How to Interpret

Lumbar Disc Herniation

Positive straight leg raise

Rule in

Not helpfulDerived CI

Rule out

Somewhat helpfulDerived CI

Evidence:Strong

Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

Positive crossed straight leg raise

Rule in

Somewhat helpfulDerived CI

Rule out

Not helpfulDerived CI

Evidence:Strong

References

van der Windt DAWM, Simons E, Riphagen II, Ammendolia C, Verhagen AP, Laslett M, Deville W, Deyo RA, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW, Aertgeerts B. Physical examination for lumbar radiculopathy due to disc herniation in patients with low-back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Feb 17;(2):CD007431. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007431.pub2. PMID 20166095.
Tawa N, Rhoda A, Diener I. Accuracy of clinical neurological examination in diagnosing lumbo-sacral radiculopathy: a systematic literature review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017 Feb 23;18(1):93. doi:10.1186/s12891-016-1383-2. PMID 28231784. PMC5324296.
van der Windt DAWM, Simons E, Riphagen II, Ammendolia C, Verhagen AP, Laslett M, et al. Physical examination for lumbar radiculopathy due to disc herniation in patients with low-back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(2):CD007431. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007431.pub2. PMID: 20166095.
Fairbank J, Hashimoto R, Dailey A, Patel AA, Dettori JR. Does patient history and physical examination predict MRI proven cauda equina syndrome? Evid Based Spine Care J. 2011 Nov;2(4):27-33. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1274754. PMID 23230403. PMC3506147. Open access.
Lazarević LK. Ischias postica Cotunnii: jedan prilog za njenu diferencijalnu dijagnozu. Srp Arh Celok Lek. 1880;7:23-35.

Research last updated September 10, 2026.