Spine
Lumbo-Sacral Spine
Evidence: confirmed
Lasegue Drop Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Identifying Lumbar or SI pain caused by sudden muscle guarding.
How to Perform
- Action: Perform a Straight Leg Raise until the patient feels discomfort.
- The Drop: Suddenly let go of the leg (unexpectedly).
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Sudden sharp pain.
- Why: The Psoas muscle reflexively contracts to catch the falling leg, putting sudden stress on the lumbar vertebrae and SI joint.
Diagnostic Accuracy
- Clinical Tests for the Musculoskeletal 3rd Ed. Book
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Lasegue Drop 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 Lasegue Drop Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
