Table 4
Scoring tool based on model (i) for clinical assessment items and corresponding predicted probability of sciatica.
Variable in the model | Does the patient: | Score |
Subjective sensory changes | Report any pins and needles or numbness in the involved lower limb | 1 |
Below knee pain | Report pain below the knee | 2 |
Leg pain worse than back pain | Report that their leg pain is worse than their back pain | 2 |
Neural Tension tests
| Have a positive straight leg raise test and/or femoral nerve test and/or slump test | 3 |
Neurological deficit
| Have any myotome/ reflex or sensory deficit in the involved lower limb | 2 |
| Sum Score | …. |
Sum Score | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
N | 36 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 47 | 29 | 41 | 61 | 25 | 76 |
Observed Sciatica (%) | 3 | 11 | 11 | 50 | 67 | 85 | 86 | 100 | 97 | 100 | 100 |
Mean predicted probability of Sciatica (%) | 4 | 9 | 19 | 42 | 63 | 83 | 93 | 96 | 99 | 100 | 100 |