Sacroiliac Joint Special Test Flashcards
Gilet’s Test
PURPOSE- Assess posterior movement of the ilium relative to sacrum
DESCRIPTION- While the patient stands, the sitting examiner palpates the PSISs with one thumb and the other thumb parallel with the first thumb on the sacrum. The patient is then asked to stand on one leg while pulling the opposite knee up toward the chest. This causes the innominate bone on the same side to rotate posteriorly. The test is repeated with the other leg palpating the other PSIS. If the sacroiliac joint on the side on which the knee is flexed (i.e., the ipsilateral side) moves minimally or up, the joint is said to be hypomobile, or “blocked,” indicating a positive test.
Ipsilateral Anterior Rotation Test
PURPOSE- Assess anterior movement of ilium relative to sacrum
DESCRIPTION- The patient stands. The examiner sits behind the patient and palpates one PSIS with one thumb and the sacrum on a parallel line with the other thumb. The patient is asked to extend the ipsilateral leg. Normally, the PSIS should move superiorly and laterally. The other side is tested for comparison.
RESULT- This test determines the ability of the innominate on the test side to rotate anteriorly while the sacrum rotates to the opposite side
Gaenslen’s Test
PURPOSE- Identifies SIJ dysfunction
DESCRIPTION- The patient lies on the side with the upper leg (test leg) hyperextended at the hip. The patient holds the lower leg flexed against the chest. The examiner stabilizes the pelvis while extending the hip of the uppermost leg.
RESULT- Pain indicates a positive test.
Long Sitting (Supine to Sit Test)
PURPOSE- Identifies SI joint dysfunction that may be the cause of leg length discrepancy
DESCRIPTION- The patient lies supine with the legs straight. The examiner ensures that the medial malleoli are level. The patient is asked to sit up, and the examiner observes whether one leg moves up (proximally) farther than the other. If so, it is believed that there is a functional leg length difference resulting from a pelvic dysfunction caused by pelvic torsion or rotation
Goldthwait’s Test
PURPOSE-Differentiate between lumbar spine and SIJ dysfunction
DESCRIPTION- The patient lies supine. The examiner places one hand under the lumbar spine so that each finger is in an interspinous space (i.e., L5–S1, L4–L5, L3– L4, and L2–L3 interspaces). The examiner uses the other hand to perform SLR.
RESULT- If pain is elicited before movement occurs at the interspaces, the problem is in the sacroiliac joint. Pain during interspace movement indicates a lumbar spine dysfunction
