How would you describe the sensitivity of the straight leg raise test for detecting disc herniation?

• A. Low.
• B. High.
• C. Moderate.
• D. Unknown.

Answer: (B)

Sensitivity describes how often a test correctly identifies people who truly have the condition. The straight leg raise is highly sensitive for disc herniation with radiculopathy, so a negative result makes such a herniation unlikely in the appropriate clinical setting. The test works by stretching nerve roots in the lower spine; reproducible radicular pain as the leg is raised suggests irritation from a herniated disc. However, a positive result isn’t definitive because other causes of leg or back pain can also reproduce symptoms, and hamstring tightness or other factors can mimic the finding. That’s why this maneuver is great for ruling out disease when negative, but its specificity is more variable, and additional tests or imaging are often used to confirm the diagnosis.