Which test is commonly used to elicit radicular symptoms and differentiate radiculopathy from hip pathology?

Which test is commonly used to elicit radicular symptoms and differentiate radiculopathy from hip pathology?

• A. Thomas test
• B. Straight-Leg Raise
• C. Trendelenburg test
• D. FABER test

Answer: (B)

The straight-leg raise is used to tension the sciatic nerve and lumbosacral nerve roots. As the leg is raised with the knee extended, if sharp, shooting pain travels down the leg, especially around 30–70 degrees of hip flexion, this suggests nerve root irritation or compression such as a herniated disc. This helps distinguish radiculopathy from hip pathology because true nerve-root–driven leg pain follows a radicular distribution, whereas hip joint problems tend to produce groin or anterior thigh pain without the classic radicular pattern. Other hip-focused tests like the Thomas test, Trendelenburg test, or FABER mainly assess hip flexion tightness, abductor strength, or joint/pelvic pathology and do not specifically provoke radicular symptoms. Therefore, the straight-leg raise is the best choice for eliciting radicular symptoms and differentiating radiculopathy from hip pathology.

The straight-leg raise is used to tension the sciatic nerve and lumbosacral nerve roots. As the leg is raised with the knee extended, if sharp, shooting pain travels down the leg, especially around 30–70 degrees of hip flexion, this suggests nerve root irritation or compression such as a herniated disc. This helps distinguish radiculopathy from hip pathology because true nerve-root–driven leg pain follows a radicular distribution, whereas hip joint problems tend to produce groin or anterior thigh pain without the classic radicular pattern.

Other hip-focused tests like the Thomas test, Trendelenburg test, or FABER mainly assess hip flexion tightness, abductor strength, or joint/pelvic pathology and do not specifically provoke radicular symptoms. Therefore, the straight-leg raise is the best choice for eliciting radicular symptoms and differentiating radiculopathy from hip pathology.