Validity of the active straight leg raise test for measuring disease severity in patients with posterior pelvic pain after pregnancy.

Study Design: A cross-sectional analysis was performed with a group of women meeting strict criteria for posterior pelvic pain after pregnancy. The active straight leg raise test and common severity measurement scales of lumbopelvic pain were scored.

Objective: To assess the validity of the active straight leg raise test as a disease severity scale for patients with posterior pelvic pain after pregnancy.

Summary Of Background Data: Various diagnostic tools are used to measure disease severity in patients with posterior pelvic pain after pregnancy, but simple tests with high reliability and validity still are needed.

Methods: The investigation was performed with 200 women who had posterior pelvic pain after pregnancy. The validity of the active straight leg raise test as a severity scale was investigated by comparing the test score with the medical history, scores on self-reported disability scales, pain and tiredness, and pain provocation tests. The usefulness of the active straight leg raise test as a severity scale was compared with that of the Québec Back Pain Disability Scale. The influence of several demographic and anthropometric variables on the active straight leg raise score was investigated.

Results: The active straight leg raise score ranged from 0 to 10 and correlated as expected with all severity scales. The correlation between the scores on the active straight leg raise test and the Québec Back Pain Disability Scale was 0.70. No association was found between the active straight leg raise score and age, parity, duration of the postpartum period, height, or weight.

Conclusion: The active straight leg raise test can be recommended as a disease severity scale for patients with posterior pelvic pain after pregnancy.