Testing a simple leg raise exam for lower back nerve pain

This trial is testing whether a simple physical exam called the straight leg raise test is accurate enough to diagnose lower back pain caused by pinched nerves. Researchers will compare results from this easy bedside test with results from a diagnostic nerve-numbing injection to see which patients truly have nerve-related pain. This helps doctors understand when they can trust the leg raise test alone versus when they need additional testing.

Lower back pain from pinched nerves is very common and disabling, but doctors aren't sure how reliable the straight leg raise test is across different patients. This study aims to figure out exactly when this simple test can be trusted and when additional confirmation is needed to guide treatment decisions.