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Sciatica Diagnosis Checklist

Directions:

• Use this checklist to follow along with the self-diagnosis videos.

• If any of the demographic information fits you or your symptoms place a check

mark next to it in the box.

• Also place a check mark next to all positive self-tests.

• After performing all tests tally up the check marks for each cause of sciatica,whichever has the most points is likely your cause of sciatica.

1. Spinal Stenosis, Arthritis, or Disc Degeneration

• Demographics: 

Typically in the older population (age >50)

Decreased pain with sitting and bending forward

Increased pain with standing, walking, and bending backwards

Leaning on shopping cart at the grocery store

Stiffness in the mornings (especially when getting out of bed)

• Self-Testing:

! Repeated Movement Testing

• Backward Bending 5 times:

Positive: Increased pain, numbness of tingling down the leg• Forward Bending 5 times:

Positive: Decreased pain, numbness of tingling down the leg

• Overview: If you are >50 years old, have decreased pain with bending forward, andhave increased pain with bending backwards, your symptoms are likely comingfrom spinal stenosis.

Total Check marks for Stenosis, Arthritis, or Disc Degeneration:

2. Herniated Disc

• Demographics:

Generally in younger population (Age

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In extreme cases, can see weakness in affected leg and foot drop

Symptoms usually decrease when lying on stomach, standing, walking,and bending backwards

• Self-Testing:

! Straight Leg Raise Test

Positive result: increased pain in lower back and leg

! Slump Test

Positive result: increased pain in lower back and leg

! Repeated Movement Testing

• Forward Bending 5 times:

Positive: Increased pain, numbness of tingling down the leg

•

Backward Bending 5 times:Positive: Decreased pain, numbness of tingling down the leg

• Overview: If you are younger than 40, have increased pain with bending forward,decreased pain with bending backwards, and had a positive slump and straight legtests, your symptoms are likely coming from a herniated disc.

Total Check marks for Herniated Disc:

3. SI Joint/Pelvic Dysfunction

• Demographics: 

More common in women, especially post-partum

No pain past the knee, pain in the front of the leg wrapping around to thegroin

Can present as hip pain as well

Pain with crossing legs

Transitional movements are painful such as getting up from a chair,getting in and out of the car, and rolling over in bed

• Self-Testing:

• Active Straight Leg Raise

Positive result: Increased pain and weakness with affected leg

• FABER Test

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Positive result: increase in pain in the groin region or in thelower back

• Overview: If you are not having any sciatica pain past your knee, experience painwith transitional movements such as getting in and out of the car and rolling overin bed, and have positive findings with the active straight leg raise and FABERtests, your sciatica is likely coming from an SI joint or pelvic problem. 

Total Check marks for SI Joint/Pelivc Problem: