Orthopedics Hip & Knee Purpose of the Straight Leg Raise Test By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD LinkedIn Twitter Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 26, 2022 Medically reviewed by Yaw Boachie-Adjei, MD Medically reviewed by Yaw Boachie-Adjei, MD LinkedIn Yaw Boachie-Adjei, MD, is a board-certified, double-fellowship Orthopedic Surgeon. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked by Angela Underwood Fact checked by Angela Underwood LinkedIn Angela Underwood's extensive local, state, and federal healthcare and environmental news coverage includes 911 first-responder compensation policy to the Ciba-Geigy water contamination case in Toms River, NJ. Her additional health-related coverage includes death and dying, skin care, and autism spectrum disorder. Learn about our editorial process Print The straight leg raise test is done to gauge several aspects of your legs' strength and stability. It's most often performed to check muscle function but can be altered to look at nerve function, as well. The test is performed while you lie flat on a bed. Either you or the examiner then raises your leg, possibly with light resistance, to get an idea of the legs' strength and functionality. Jan-Otto / E+ / Getty Images Testing the Extensor Mechanism Most often, the straight leg raise test is used to assess the function of the quadriceps muscle and its attachment to the shin bone. An inability to perform a straight leg raise can be caused by disruption of the: Quadriceps tendon Patella (knee cap) Patellar tendon If you have a condition such as a torn quadriceps tendon or a patella fracture, you'll likely be unable to perform this maneuver. Because of the disruption of the extensor mechanism, despite your effort to lift the leg, there is nothing to pull against, and therefore you can't perform this function. A straight leg raise test is the key diagnostic test to assess for these conditions. Function of the Quadriceps Muscles Testing Nerve Irritation The straight leg test can be altered to test sciatic nerve function rather than muscle and tendon function. The sciatic nerve exits from the lumbar spine (lower back), then passes behind the hip and down the back of your leg. Conditions that cause sciatic nerve irritation include: Spinal stenosis Disc herniations Sciatica Rather than having you attempt the leg raise, the examiner lifts your heel with the knee in a straight position. When it's as high as possible, the examiner points your toes toward your head. This stretches the nerve and can recreate symptoms of nerve pain going down the leg. This type of test is called a tension sign and can be very helpful in determining the best treatment for a nerve condition. A test is positive when it recreates pain below your knee. Feeling tightness in the hamstring muscle is not considered a positive test. The Sciatic Nerve and What It Does 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Emergency Medicine Cases. Episode 58 – Commonly Missed Uncommon Orthopedic Injuries, Part 2. Zuke WA, Go B, Weber AE, Forsythe B. Quadriceps tendon rupture in an adolescent athlete. Case Rep Orthop. 2017;2017:2718013. doi:10.1155/2017/2718013 American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Herniated Disc. By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD, is board-certified in orthopedic surgery. He served as assistant team physician to Chivas USA (Major League Soccer) and the United States men's and women's national soccer teams. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit