The Test to Tell if Your Back Pain is Caused by Your Discs

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Good Morning! This is The Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain, the newsletter trusted by over 15,000 people to stay up to date on treatments and symptoms of back pain, neck pain and other chronic pain conditions. Welcome to all new readers! To those that have been here before, thank you, it’s so good to see you again.

Here is what you can expect from today’s edition:

• The Sustained Hip Flexion Test explained

• What does a positive Sustained Hip Flexion Test result mean?

• News: A new type of injection, directly into the discs, to treat degenerative disc disease (DDD)

The Sustained Hip Flexion Test explained

The sustained hip flexion test is a diagnostic maneuver used by healthcare professionals to evaluate whether a patient's low back pain may be attributed to the spinal discs. It's a simple clinical assessment that helps identify if certain movements exacerbate or reproduce the patient's low back pain.

Here's how the test is typically performed:

Patient Positioning: The patient lies down on an examination table. They should be in a supine (lying on their back) position.

Hip Flexion: The patient is then instructed to slowly and gently raise one leg off the table while keeping the knee extended (straight). The leg should be lifted as high as possible without causing pain or discomfort. Ensure that the motion is controlled and deliberate.

Observation: The patient's facial expressions should be observed and they should be asked to describe any sensations or pain they may be feeling. Pay attention to the location and character of the pain.

Duration: The test involves sustaining the hip flexion for a period of time, typically around 30 seconds to 1 minute. During this time, continue to monitor the patient's discomfort or pain level.

Repetition: If there is no pain or discomfort during the initial leg lift, you may repeat the test on the other leg to compare the findings.

What does it mean if the Sustained Hip Flexion Test is positive? Keep reading to find out!

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What does a positive Sustained Hip Flexion Test result mean?

If the patient experiences the same or worsened low back pain during the sustained hip flexion, it suggests that the spinal discs may be to blame for some or all of the patient’s low back pain.

Note the location of the pain. If it is primarily in the low back, it may be suggestive of pain originating from the lumbar discs themselves. If the pain radiates down into the leg(s) or is accompanied by sensations such as tingling or numbness, it may indicate nerve compression, which can be related to disc herniation or irritation.

It is important to keep in mind that the sustained hip flexion test is just one of several clinical tests and assessments used to diagnose low back pain. It should be considered alongside a thorough medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies, like MRI or CT scan, to determine the exact cause of the patient's symptoms. Always consult with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis.

If you experience low back pain, ask your doctor if they can perform the Sustained Hip Flexion Test with you. Only perform the test if you are physically able and it is safe for you to do so. Ask if your low back pain might be caused by your spinal discs and what treatments may be available for your symptoms.

In the news…

A new type of injection, directly into the discs, to treat degenerative disc disease (DDD)

In case you missed it…

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About the Author

Les is an invaluable member of the team! He is the Lead Writer for the Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain newsletter. However, Les Payne is just a Pen Name to protect the identity of our expert Lead Writer who is an actively practicing, board-certified expert in the treatment and prevention of back and neck pain as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions. He has years of experience in this field and has treated over 15,000 patients with pain of all kinds!

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