Pelvic Orthopedic Tests
*E = Examiner
*P = Patient
Test
Belt’s Test
P. Position
Standing
Supported Belt’s
Test
Standing
Gaenslen’s Test
Supine
Gapping Test
Supine
Goldthwait’s Sign
Supine
Knee to Shoulder
Supine
Laguerre’s Test
Supine
Procedure
E. hold p. at hips, and have patient flex forward
with arms relaxed.
E. place hands on P. hips, come in at a 45*
angle and hold p. against your hip. Have P. flex
forward, arms relaxed.
E. flexes knee and thigh of unaffected leg. This
flexes both pelvis and lumbar spine. Have the P.
drop their leg of the exam table, this
hyperextends the opposite leg. The extension
exerts a rotating force on the pelvis.
E. place hands on opposite ASIS of P. Press
laterally and downward.
E. place superior hand under the lumbar portion
of the P’s spine. Then raise the affected leg
slowly. Repeat test with unaffected limb.
Findings
Pain elicited during this test can indicate the source of
pain in the lumbar or pelvic region.
If source of pain is from the pelvic region, pain will not
reproduced because the pelvis is immobilized. Pain of
spinal origin will be aggravated in both positions.
+ test is pain is felt in the SI area or referred down the
thigh. The test is performed bilaterally.
- test a lumbosacral lesion is suspected.
+ test would be aggravation of unilateral Gluteal or
posterior pain is elicited.
If pain is elicited before the L-spine begins to move, a SI
lesion is probably present. If pain is elicited after L-spine
movement, origin may be in the lumbosacral area. + sign
of lumbosacral lesion if pain is elicited at about same
height with affected limb. If unaffected leg can be raised
higher than affected leg, this signifies SI involvement of
affected side.
E. flex P’s knee and hip of unaffected leg. The
+ test is indicated by pain in the ipsilateral SI joint. This
hip is then adducted. This rocks the SI joint.
indicates a SI mechanical dysfunction. This can also
The knee should then be directed towards the P’s include pyogenic sacroilitis.
opposite shoulder.
E. flex and abduct P’s hip on affected side. The + test is pain in the SI joint.
P’s ankle should rest on the E’s inferior forearm.
The E. then laterally rotates the hip applying an
over pressure at the end of ROM with superior
hand. Stabilize the contralateral side with the
inferior hand on the ASIS.
Pelvic Orthopedic Tests Continued
*E = Examiner
*P = Patient
Test
Fabere-Patrick’s
Test
P. Position
Supine
Hibb’s Test
Prone
Yeoman’s Test
Prone
Iliac Compression
Test
Side Posture
Lewin-Gaenslen’s
Test
Side Posture
SI Resisted
Abduction Test
Side Posture
* P = Patient
* E = Examiner
Procedure
If P does not elicit pain from Laguerre’s Test,
then place the P’s ankle of the flexed leg on
their opposite knee. With your superior hand,
push down on P’s bent knee. Support the P’s
ASIS with inferior hand.
E. place superior hand on P’s sacrum. Flex
the P’s leg. Laterally rotate the P’s leg
causing strong internal rotation of femoral
head. Repeat on opposite leg.
E. place superior hand on P’s sacrum. Place
inferior hand on patients inner thigh and
extend.
E. place both hands, one on top of the other
on the P’s superior ilium. Press towards the
floor.
P. lies on unaffected side. Have the P. pull
their bottom knee toward their chest. E. puts
pressure on the sacrum and hyperextends the
affected thigh.
P. lies on unaffected side. E. place superior
hand on SI joint. Have the P. raise their leg
and hold it. If this elicits pain, stop the test
here. If not, have the P. resist downward
pressure. Repeat test on opposite side.
Results
+ sign is pain in the hip during the test, particularly abduction
and external rotation, this is indicative of a coxapathologic
condition.
+ test produces pelvic pain. This is significant for a
sacroiliac lesion.
Pain on extension on same side indicates SI joint stress. Pain
at the opposite side indicates pelvic ligament sprain. Lumbar
pain indicates lumbar involvement.
Increases pressure on the SI joint suggests a SI lesion. It can
also indicate a sprain of posterior SI ligament.
+ sign is pain produced in the SI joint. The test is indicative
of SI lesions.
+ test will elicit pelvic pain near PSIS. This is specific for a
SI sprain or subluxation.