What is the Bragard Test used for?

Differentiating Neural Pain from Hamstring Tightness.

How do you perform the Bragard Test?

Step 1: Perform a Straight Leg Raise until pain is felt.Step 2: Lower the leg slightly until pain stops.Step 3: Forcefully dorsiflex the foot.

What is a positive result for the Bragard Test?

Positive Test: Pain returns immediately with foot dorsiflexion.Why: Dorsiflexion pulls the sciatic nerve without stretching the hamstring muscles further.

What is the diagnostic accuracy of the Bragard Test?

Sensitivity: 69.3%Specificity: 67.42%

Bragard Test – Spine Special Test

What is it used for?

Differentiating Neural Pain from Hamstring Tightness.

How to Perform

Step 1: Perform a Straight Leg Raise until pain is felt.
Step 2: Lower the leg slightly until pain stops.
Step 3: Forcefully dorsiflex the foot.

Interpretation of Results

Positive Test: Pain returns immediately with foot dorsiflexion.
Why: Dorsiflexion pulls the sciatic nerve without stretching the hamstring muscles further.

Diagnostic Accuracy

Sensitivity: 69.3%
Specificity: 67.42%

Clinical Context & Limitations

The Bragard Test should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.

Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Spine region, combining the Bragard Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.