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TEST POSITIONING 1

The client stands with the sacroiliac joint exposed.

The therapist stands behind the client with the thumbs over the posterior superior iliac spines.

ACTION 1

The therapist should note whether the posterior superior iliac spines are level.

POSITIVE FINDING 1

If the posterior iliac spines are not level, the sacroiliac joints are asymmetrical indicating fixation on one side or the other.

CONSIDERATIONS & COMMENTS 1

Having the client actively flex one hip and then comparing the level of the PSIS on each side has been described as a Gillet test.

Decreased or minimal interior movement of the sacroiliac joint on the flexed side indicates a hypomobile joint.

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TEST POSITIONING 2

The therapist then places one thumb over the posterior superior iliac spine on the right or left side, and the other thumb over the S2 spinous process.

Repeat on the other side. 

ACTION 2

The client is then instructed to actively flex each hip one at a time with the knee bent to 90 degrees.

Compare to the other side.

POSITIVE FINDING 2

When the client flexes each hip, the thumb over the posterior superior iliac spine should drop relative to the spinous process.

If there is no change or the thumb moves superiorly, hypomobility is indicated.

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TEST POSITIONING 3

The therapist may then leave the one thumb over the sacral spinous process and move the other thumb to the ischial tuberosity.

Repeat on the other side.

ACTION 3

The client is instructed to again actively flex one hip at a time with the knee bent to 90 degrees.

Compare to the other side.

POSITIVE FINDING 3

When the client again flexes each hip, the thumb over the ischial tuberosity should move inferiorly.

If the thumb moves superiorly, hypomobility is indicated.

CONSIDERATIONS & COMMENTS 3

Some authors have referred to this series of tests as the hip flexion test.

Essentially, the same movement is being performed and the difference in assessment is based upon the landmarks that are being palpated and observed for movement patterns.