Abstract
We evaluated the relationship between straight leg raising test (SLRT) and operative findings in 25 patients with lumbar disc herniation. The operative findings we evaluated in this study were as follows; the type of herniation, the location of the herniation, the nerve root of involvement, and the wet weight of herniotomized disc.
The positive SLRT angles were higher in order: sequestration>protrusion>subligamentous extrusion>transligamentous extrusion, intraforaminal>central>centro-lateral>posterolateral, and L4 root>L5 root>S1 root. But no correlations were found in the relationship between positive SLRT angles and the type of herniation, the location of the herniation, or the nerve root of involvement. On the other hand, a correlation was found between the wet weight of herniotomized discs and positive SLRT angles.
In conclusion, the more closely to the root the herniated disc existed, the less the positive SLRT angle might be. Once the herniated disc was sequestered, positive SLRT angle increased.
