Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the validity of the SLR test for lumbar disk hernia(LDH)and osteoarthritis of the hip(OAH). The subjects included 23 male and 118 female patients(43-89years)with OAH and 63 male and 39 female patients(16-76years)with LDH. The clinical findings of the SLR test were investigated in the two groups. The incidence of limited of SLR angle(<70°)was 79% in LDH , 26% in OAH and the pain rate was 83% in LDH, 25% in OAH. All of the above of the SLR test were significantly more frequent in LDH than OAH(p<0.01). The SLR test was demonstrated to be very sensitive for the detection of LDH. However, based on the fact that the sensitivity of the SLR test was about 30% in OAH, the SLR test did not always differentiate OAH from LDH.
