Physical Assessment (PA) Lower Extremity (LE) Practice Test

The Well Leg Raise, also known as the Fajersztajn Test, is a physical examination maneuver used to assess for issues such as herniated discs or nerve root involvement in the lower back. The correct method involves having the patient lie supine (on their back) with their knees straight. Then, the clinician instructs the patient to perform a straight leg raise on the asymptomatic side, meaning the leg that does not have pain or other symptoms.

When the patient lifts the asymptomatic leg, it places tension on the lumbar spine and potentially exposes any nerve root irritation on the opposite side, which may manifest as pain or discomfort in the symptomatic leg. This test helps to determine whether the cause of the patient's symptoms is related to a lumbar spine issue, providing valuable diagnostic information.

Other methods of leg movement, such as lifting the symptomatic leg or performing the test in a seated position, do not effectively evaluate the condition related to nerve root tension as the well-leg raise does. Additionally, having the patient stand and lift both legs simultaneously does not isolate the affected areas effectively and is not a recognized approach for this specific assessment.