A 32-year-old warehouse worker presents for evaluation of low back pain. He notes a sudden onset of pain after lifting a set of boxes that were heavier than usual. He also states that he has numbness and tingling in the left leg. He wants to know if he needs to be off of work. What test should you perform to assess for a herniated disc?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The straight-leg raise involves having the patient lie supine with the examiner raising the leg. If the patient experiences a sharp pain radiating from the back down the leg in an L5 or S1 distribution, that suggests the presence of a herniated disc.

A 32-Year-Old Warehouse Worker Presents for Evaluation of Low Back