Chennai Physio Care
Expert Diagnostic Services

Comprehensive Sciatica Assessment & Diagnosis

Get accurate sciatica diagnosis with our expert physiotherapists in Chennai. Advanced assessment techniques to identify the root cause of your nerve pain and create personalized treatment plans.

Rated 5/5 - from over 374 reviews
Professional sciatica assessment and diagnosis at Chennai Physio Care clinic

60-90 Minutes

Comprehensive assessment duration

Expert Evaluation

Detailed physical examination

Detailed Report

Comprehensive diagnosis report

What is Sciatica Assessment?

A comprehensive evaluation process to identify the exact cause of your sciatic nerve pain

Sciatica assessment is a systematic evaluation process that helps our expert physiotherapists identify the root cause of your sciatic nerve pain. This comprehensive examination combines detailed history taking, physical examination, and specialized tests to determine the exact source of nerve compression or irritation.

Our assessment goes beyond just identifying symptoms - we determine the underlying cause, assess severity, evaluate functional impact, and rule out serious conditions that may require immediate medical attention.

Sciatica assessment process at Chennai Physio Care
Assessment Goals
  • Identify the exact location of nerve compression
  • Determine the underlying cause of sciatica
  • Assess severity and functional impact
  • Rule out serious underlying conditions
Why Assessment Matters
  • Accurate diagnosis leads to effective treatment
  • Prevents unnecessary treatments
  • Identifies red flags requiring urgent care
  • Creates personalized treatment plan

Our Comprehensive Assessment Process

A systematic approach to accurately diagnose your sciatica condition

15-20 minutes
Medical History Review
Detailed discussion of symptoms, onset, triggers, and previous treatments

What we evaluate:

Onset and duration of symptoms
Pain characteristics and location
Aggravating and relieving factors
Previous treatments and outcomes
Medical history and medications
Lifestyle and occupational factors
20-25 minutes
Physical Examination
Comprehensive assessment of posture, movement patterns, and neurological function

What we evaluate:

Posture and gait analysis
Spinal alignment assessment
Range of motion testing
Muscle strength evaluation
Reflexes and sensation testing
Palpation of tender points
10-15 minutes
Specialized Tests
Specific orthopedic and neurological tests to confirm sciatica diagnosis

What we evaluate:

Straight leg raise test
Slump test
Lasègue's sign
Bowstring test
Neurodynamic testing
Provocative maneuvers
10 minutes
Assessment Report
Detailed findings and recommendations for treatment approach

What we evaluate:

Diagnosis explanation
Severity assessment
Treatment recommendations
Prognosis discussion
Home care instructions
Follow-up planning

Specialized Diagnostic Tests

Evidence-based testing protocols to accurately diagnose sciatica

Straight Leg Raise Test

Diagnostic Test

Purpose

Identifies nerve root irritation

Procedure

Patient lies supine while leg is raised to reproduce symptoms

Significance

Positive test indicates sciatic nerve involvement

Clinical Value

High sensitivity for L4-S1 nerve root compression

Slump Test

Diagnostic Test

Purpose

Assesses neural tension

Procedure

Sequential positioning to stress the nervous system

Significance

Helps differentiate between spinal and neural causes

Clinical Value

Excellent for detecting neural tension

Lasègue's Sign

Diagnostic Test

Purpose

Confirms sciatic nerve irritation

Procedure

Passive straight leg raising with dorsiflexion

Significance

Classic sign of sciatica when positive

Clinical Value

High specificity for disc herniation

Crossed Straight Leg Raise

Diagnostic Test

Purpose

Indicates central disc herniation

Procedure

Raising unaffected leg reproduces symptoms in affected leg

Significance

Suggests significant nerve root compression

Clinical Value

High specificity but lower sensitivity

Neurological Assessment

Diagnostic Test

Purpose

Evaluates nerve function

Procedure

Testing reflexes, sensation, and muscle strength

Significance

Identifies specific nerve root involvement

Clinical Value

Essential for determining treatment approach

Red Flag Symptoms

Symptoms that require immediate medical attention

Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
Bowel or bladder dysfunction (Cauda Equina Syndrome)
Progressive neurological deficits
Severe or worsening weakness in legs
Saddle anesthesia (numbness in groin area)
Fever with back pain
History of cancer
Recent significant trauma
Severe night pain that disrupts sleep
Unexplained weight loss
Age over 50 with new onset back pain

Important: These symptoms may indicate serious conditions like Cauda Equina Syndrome or spinal tumors that require emergency medical care. Do not delay seeking treatment.

What to Expect During Your Assessment

A step-by-step guide to your sciatica assessment appointment

Before Your Visit
  • Prepare a detailed symptom history
  • Bring any previous medical reports or imaging
  • List current medications and treatments
  • Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
  • Note activities that worsen or improve symptoms
During Assessment
  • Comprehensive discussion of your symptoms
  • Physical examination and movement assessment
  • Specialized orthopedic and neurological tests
  • Explanation of findings and diagnosis
  • Personalized treatment plan discussion

Get Expert Sciatica Assessment Today

Don't let sciatica pain control your life. Get an accurate diagnosis and start your recovery journey with our expert physiotherapists.

Patient Testimonials

Verified Google Reviews — Real feedback from our patients

K Krithivasan

Had great relief from Back pain after 10 sessions of therapy.Bit expensive but worth it.

Anbukkarasi Padmaraj

I have gone for modified epley. This therapy is done by very few centres only. In this chennai physio care , the dr done very well and it was good. I recommend this centre