Video narration
At the bedside, your patient lies on their back, relaxed, with both legs straight. Before you begin, obtain consent and explain that they should report the first symptom they feel. For the straight leg raising, or SLR, test, keep the knee fully extended. Support the heel, slowly flex the hip, watch the patient's face, and ask when symptoms begin. Let the patient's report guide this controlled bedside movement. The key is what they feel: reproduced radicular pain-familiar pain traveling down the leg-is different from hamstring tightness or local back pain. The 30-70° range is commonly used, but it is not a diagnosis by itself. Compare the other side, record the angle and symptom quality, and never force the movement. Stop if pain is severe or not tolerated. A meaningful result is radiating leg pain reproduced during the lift-not simply tight hamstrings.