What does a positive result in Bechterew's Test indicate?

• A. Pain in both legs indicates muscular injury
• B. Pain when extending the symptomatic leg
• C. Pain experienced only with the asymptomatic leg
• D. No pain during any testing indicates normal function

Answer: (B)

A positive result in Bechterew's Test indicates pain when extending the symptomatic leg. This test is specifically designed to assess for lumbar nerve root irritation or herniated discs, particularly in cases of sciatica or other related conditions. When the patient extends the involved leg while seated, the action can place strain on the lumbar spine and the nerve roots that may be compressed or inflamed, thus reproducing pain in the affected leg.

Understanding this, it's important to recognize that the other choices do not accurately represent the implications of a positive Bechterew's Test result. For instance, pain in both legs may suggest a different type of muscular or systemic issue, while pain experienced only with the asymptomatic leg would not specifically indicate the conditions this test aims to identify. Similarly, no pain during testing is typically indicative of normal function, but this is contrary to the purpose of the test. The focus is primarily on the symptomatic leg, where pain indicates a potential underlying issue that needs further assessment.