PhysioHub

SI Joint Play

Source: Physiotutors

Execution

  1. 1Position the patient prone.
  2. 2Place one hand over the iliac crest and the other hand over the sacral apex.
  3. 3Push the ilium caudally while pushing the sacrum cephalad, then compares the opposite side.
  4. 4Place one hand over the sacral base and the other over the ischial tuberosity to test the opposite glide direction.
  5. 5Compare movement amount, end feel, and pain side to side.

Positive outcome

Pain over the sacroiliac joint with little or no joint play is abnormal in Magee’s description. Normal SIJ joint play is minimal and should not reproduce joint pain. The test is more a stress or provocative mobility assessment than a true accessory-motion test with large measurable displacement.

Studies

CommentMagee states that SIJ joint play movements are minimal and similar to passive stress tests. Reliability and validity of palpation-based SIJ mobility tests are poor compared with pain provocation clusters. Use this as a symptom response and movement-quality note, not as a firm diagnosis.

Low Clinical Value

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