Gently raise the leg by flexing the hip with the knee in extension, and the test is considered positive when you experience pain along the lower limb in the same distribution of the lower nerve roots.

A positive straight leg raise test is determined when pain is elicited by lower limb flexion at an angle lower than 45 degrees. Patients usually abort the maneuver during the test if the pain is reproduced during the leg straightening. The buttock pain is usually relieved by flexing the knee.