How to determine lumbar disc herniation

The clinical judgment of lumbar disc herniation is mainly judged by the patient’s symptoms, scoliosis pattern, lumbar physiological curvature, and leg elevation test, as follows: First, lumbar and leg pain: that is, the patient has lumbar pain, which radiates to the buttocks, posterior thigh, popliteal fossa, and posterior lateral calf along the direction of sciatic nerve travel, which is the most typical symptom of lumbar disc herniation. Secondly, scoliosis: the patient’s spine bends sideways to one side in an S-shape. Third, the physiological curvature of the lumbar spine flattens or disappears: the normal physiological curvature of the lumbar spine is forward, and now the physiological curvature of the lumbar spine flattens or becomes backwardly convex or retroflexed. Fourth, the straight leg raise test is positive: let the patient lie on the bed to do straightening lower limb raising activities, that is, knee raising. Under normal circumstances can reach more than 70 degrees, if only 20-30 degrees, it means lumbar disc herniation, then let the patient’s toes dorsal extension, that is, do hook toe action, the patient’s pain is aggravated or numbness is aggravated, it means it is lumbar disc herniation compressing the nerve root.