To determine if your back pain is caused by sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction, healthcare professionals often use a combination of specific physical examination tests. Diagnosing SI joint pain typically involves performing several of these provocative tests; if at least three of them elicit pain, it strongly suggests the SI joint as the source of discomfort.
Here are three key tests commonly employed to help identify if your back pain is originating from the SI joint:
Key Tests for Sacroiliac Joint Pain
These tests are designed to provoke pain in the SI joint, helping to pinpoint it as the cause of a patient's back discomfort.
| Test Name | Brief Description |
|---|---|
| Pelvic Compression Test | This test involves applying pressure across the pelvis, aiming to compress the SI joints. If this maneuver reproduces the patient's typical back or buttock pain, it can indicate SI joint involvement. |
| Sacral Thrust Test | Performed with the patient lying on their stomach, direct downward pressure is applied to the sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of the spine). Pain elicited during this test suggests SI joint dysfunction. |
| Thigh Thrust Test | Also known as the femoral shear test, this test involves applying a posterior shear force to the SI joint through the patient's flexed hip. The reproduction of pain during this maneuver points toward an SI joint issue. |
These tests, when positive as a cluster, provide strong evidence for the sacroiliac joint as the source of back pain.
