Femoral Stretch Test in L2-L4 Lumbar Radiculopathy

NCT07799142 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 09.2025.408
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the sensitivity of the femoral stretch test in patients with unilateral, single-root L2, L3, or L4 nerve root compression and to determine whether test positivity differs according to the affected nerve root. Patients with unilateral radicular symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed single-root compression involving the L2, L3, or L4 nerve root who are scheduled to undergo transforaminal epidural steroid injection as part of routine clinical care will be included. The decision to perform transforaminal epidural steroid injection will be made independently of participation in the study. Before the procedure, the femoral stretch test, pain intensity, neuropathic pain characteristics, dermatomal concordance of symptoms, and relevant magnetic resonance imaging findings will be recorded. The femoral stretch test and pain intensity will be reassessed 1 hour after the procedure. The study will primarily evaluate the sensitivity of the femoral stretch test for L2, L3, and L4 nerve root involvement and will also assess changes in test findings following transforaminal epidural steroid injection.

Conditions

Lumbar Radiculopathy

Keywords

transforaminal epidural injection; femoral strecth test

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Root-Level Sensitivity of the Femoral Stretch Test for L2, L3, and L4 Nerve Root Compression

  The sensitivity of the femoral stretch test will be calculated separately in patients with unilateral, Magnetic Resonance Imaging-confirmed single-root L2, L3, and L4 nerve root compression. Root-level sensitivities will be compared to determine whether the diagnostic sensitivity of the test differs according to the affected nerve root.

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Femoral Stretch Test Positivity Following Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection

  Baseline and 1 hour post-procedure

• Change in Pain Intensity Following Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection

  Baseline and 1 hour post-procedure

• Association Between Femoral Stretch Test Positivity and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Nerve Root Compression Severity

  Baseline

• Association Between Femoral Stretch Test Positivity and Neuropathic Pain Characteristics

  Baseline

Study Arms (3)

L2 Nerve Root Compression Cohort

Patients with unilateral, magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed single-root L2 nerve root compression and clinically concordant radicular symptoms who are scheduled to undergo transforaminal epidural steroid injection as part of routine clinical care. Femoral stretch test findings and pain intensity will be recorded before and after the procedure.

L3 Nerve Root Compression Cohort

Patients with unilateral, magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed single-root L3 nerve root compression and clinically concordant radicular symptoms who are scheduled to undergo transforaminal epidural steroid injection as part of routine clinical care. Femoral stretch test findings and pain intensity will be recorded before and after the procedure.

L4 Nerve Root Compression Cohort

Patients with unilateral, magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed single-root L4 nerve root compression and clinically concordant radicular symptoms who are scheduled to undergo transforaminal epidural steroid injection as part of routine clinical care. Femoral stretch test findings and pain intensity will be recorded before and after the procedure.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Months+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult patients with lumbar radicular pain who are evaluated at a tertiary pain medicine clinic and are scheduled to undergo clinically indicated single-level, unilateral transforaminal epidural steroid injection targeting the L2, L3, or L4 nerve root will be prospectively enrolled.

You may qualify if:

• Patients with a diagnosis of lumbar radicular pain based on medical history, physical examination, and imaging findings.
• Patients with unilateral L2, L3, or L4 nerve root involvement who are scheduled to undergo single-level, unilateral transforaminal epidural steroid injection targeting the corresponding nerve root.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of diabetes mellitus or other medical conditions that may cause polyneuropathy.
• Presence of active radicular pain originating from lumbosacral nerve roots other than L2, L3, or L4.
• Unavailability of relevant radiological imaging.
• Cognitive impairment that may interfere with clinical assessment.
• Pregnancy.
• Presence of local or systemic infection.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Marmara University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Pendik, 34899, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Radiculopathy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Nurbanu Hindioglu Dogan, MD

CONTACT

+902166254545; nurbanuhindioglu@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 26, 2026
• First Posted: September 2, 2026
• Study Start: September 7, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2027
• Last Updated: September 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)