| Bragard Sign | The lower extremity is flexed at the hip with the knee stiff until the patient experiences pain then the foot is dorsiflexed. Increased pain is a positive sign indicating nerve involvement. |
| Heel and Toe Walk Test | The patient walks on their heels indicating L4-L5 nerve root irritation if they are unable to perform this activity. If unable to walk on their toes this indicates lumbar nerve root irritation. |
| Lasegue Sign | The patient is able to flex the hip with the knee bent without experiencing pain. The examiner then raises the straightened leg by the heel. The test is positive if there is pain indicating nerve root irritation. |
| Patrick Test | A test to distinguish sciatica from lumbosacral or hip pain. With the patient lying supine, the examiner places the ankle of the affected side over the patella of the opposite leg and pressure is placed on the flexed knee. Patients with sciatica will not experience pain while those with lumbosacral or hip disorders will. |
| Straight Leg Raising Test | Patient lifts leg with the knee remaining straight, a positive test will result in pain along the sciatic nerve suggesting nerve root irritation. |
| Waddell Test | Five or more tests for malingering in patients complaining of back pain. The tests include tenderness, simulation (axial loading and rotation), straight leg raising, regional disturbances (weakness or sensory disturbances) and overreaction. The Waddell test is positive if the patient has positive results and complains of pain in three or more of the five tests, suggesting the complaints are non-organic. |
By Medical Specialty
