Orthopedic Exam / Special Tests for Physical Therapy: HIP Tests / PELVIS Tests
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, also called sacroiliac joint disorder, sacroiliac joint disease, sacroiliac joint syndrome or sacroiliac syndrome, or “sacroilliac dysfunction and instability”, generally refers to pain in the sacroiliac joint region that is caused by abnormal motion in the sacroiliac joint, either too much motion or too little motion. It typically results in inflammation of the sacroiliac joint, and can be debilitating.
Symptoms of SI Joint Dysfunction:
Common symptoms include lower back pain, buttocks pain, sciatic leg pain, groin pain, hip pain (for explanation of leg, groin, and hip pain, see referred pain), urinary frequency, and “transient numbness, prickling, or tingling.” Pain can range from dull aching to sharp and stabbing and increases with physical activity. Symptoms also worsen with prolonged or sustained positions (i.e., sitting, standing, lying).Bending forward, stair climbing, hill climbing, and rising from a seated position can also provoke pain. Patients with severe and disabling sacroiliac joint dysfunction can suffer from insomnia and depression.
Special Test: Patrick’s Test
PURPOSE:
- To evaluate pathology of the hip joint or the sacroiliac joint.
Video Demo Instructions, Procedure, Positive Test:
Special Test: Patricks Test: Video Demo (Procedure below)
Special Test: Patricks Test: PROCEDURE:
- Patient is supine and their legs are extended
- Place patient’s foot of the affected side on the other knee
To identify if pain may come from the sacroiliac joint during flexion, abduction, and external rotation, the clinician externally rotates the hip while the patient lies supine. Then, downward pressure is applied to the medial knee stressing both the hip and sacroiliac joint.
Special Test: Patrick’s Test: POSITIVE SIGN:
- The affected hip stays above level of the unaffected knee