Spine: angle range of straight leg raise: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Spine: angle range of straight leg raise

Sample item

A straight leg raise reproduces sciatic pain at 20 degrees in one patient and at 50 degrees in another. Which statement about interpreting the test is correct?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pain between 30 and 70 degrees is the range typical of nerve root tension from disc prolapse

The sciatic roots begin to tension at about 30 degrees and the maximal stretch occurs by about 70 degrees, so root-tension pain is expected in this range. Pain below 30 degrees means very severe root irritation or another cause, and pain above 70 degrees is likelier to come from hamstring tightness or back pain. Lasegue sign is the same manoeuvre.

Option by option

  • A. Pain between 30 and 70 degrees is the range typical of nerve root tension from disc prolapse (correct)

    Correct. Root tension is expected between about 30 and 70 degrees.

  • B. Only pain below 30 degrees is significant

    Below 30 degrees the root is barely stretched, so pain this early reflects severe irritation or another cause.

  • C. The angle is irrelevant to interpretation

    The angle at which pain starts is central to interpreting the test.

  • D. Pain above 70 degrees is the most specific for disc prolapse

    Above 70 degrees the root is already maximally tensioned and symptoms are less specific.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is A, Pain between 30 and 70 degrees is the range typical of nerve root tension from disc prolapse. The sciatic roots begin to tension at about 30 degrees and the maximal stretch occurs by about 70 degrees, so root-tension pain is expected in this range.

Why is "Only pain below 30 degrees is significant" not the answer?

Below 30 degrees the root is barely stretched, so pain this early reflects severe irritation or another cause.

Why is "The angle is irrelevant to interpretation" not the answer?

The angle at which pain starts is central to interpreting the test.

Why is "Pain above 70 degrees is the most specific for disc prolapse" not the answer?

Above 70 degrees the root is already maximally tensioned and symptoms are less specific.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine: angle range of straight leg raise in Orthopaedics. Pain below 30 degrees means very severe root irritation or another cause, and pain above 70 degrees is likelier to come from hamstring tightness or back pain. Lasegue sign is the same manoeuvre.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Spine: angle range of straight leg raise?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.