The diagnostic accuracy of straight leg raise test in patients more than 60 years of age suffering lumbar disk herniation with low back pain and sciatica

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the SLR test in elderly patients suffering from lumbar disk herniation with sciatica and low back pain, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the gold standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center and a total of 120 patients, above 60 years of age, with symptomatic lumbar disk herniation were enrolled. SLR test was performed and the results recorded. MRI of the lumbar spine was undertaken for confirmation of disk herniation. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the SLR test in patients 60 years and older is 33.3%. A decrease in the diagnostic accuracy of the SLR test with an increment in age was also noted. CONCLUSION: It was found that with an increment in age, there is a steady decline in the diagnostic accuracy of SLR Test.