The protruded and nerve encroaching lower lumbar intervertebral disc is the most common cause of lumbar pain and work disability, an it is important to obtain an as accurate a diagnosis as soon as possible, so as to treat the patient efficiently.

The clinical tests and signs that are usually employed are compared with one another as to their frequency in surgically proved protruded prodruded lumbar inter-vertebral discs.

The most frequent lesions are found in the two lower lumbar discs and it is these nerve roots (L5-S1-S2) that supply the inferior gluleal nerve whose branches enter the deep surface of the glutens maximus. A lesion to these nerve roots may cause an atony or an atrophy of this muscle, as well as sensory changes in the sacral area.

This sign of gluteal atony was found to be present in 60% of the patients examined, who were admitted to the hospital because of pain in the lumbar region or ciatica.

Keywords: Diagnostic sign in lower lumbar root compression. Gluteal atony.