POSITIVE SACROILIAC SCREENING-TESTS IN ASYMPTOMATIC ADULTS

Study Design. In a prospective, single-blinded study, the incidence of false-positive screening tests for sacroiliac joint dysfunction was i nvestigated using the standing flexion, seated flexion, and Gillet tes ts in 101 asymptomatic subjects. Objectives. This study determined if these commonly used sacroiliac screening tests can be abnormal in an a symptomatic population. Summary of Background Data. The sacroiliac joi nt is a potential source of back and leg pain. One condition affecting this joint is termed sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Diagnosis of this is made primarily by physical examination using screening tests as pre liminary diagnostic tools. These screening tests evaluate for asymmetr y in sacroiliac motion due to a relative, unilateral hypomobility in o ne the sacroiliac joints. The specificity of these tests, however, has not been thoroughly evaluated in a well-selected asymptomatic populat ion. Methods. A single-blinded examiner performed the standing flexion , seated flexion, and Gillet tests on all subjects. An asymptomatic an d a symptomatic group were studied. Results. Overall, 20% of asymptoma tic individuals had positive findings in one or more of these tests. T he specific percentage of false positives are reported by test, age, s ex, and side. Conclusion. This study suggests that asymmetry in sacroi liac motion due to relative hypomobility as determined by these tests can occur in asymptomatic joints. Obviously, one should not rely solel y on these tests to diagnose symptomatic sacroiliac dysfunction.