Ultrasound evaluation of sacroiliac motion in normal volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
We demonstrated quantitatively, using ultrasound imaging, the passive range of motion of the normal sacroiliac (SI) joint.


METHODS
Ultrasound images of the SI joints of 22 adults at rest and during a manual medicine maneuver designed to induce a passive range of motion in the SI joint were obtained. Differences between the baseline alignment of the SI joint and alignment during induced passive motion were observed and measured by six radiologists.


RESULTS
Significant movement (> 2 mm) of at least one SI joint was demonstrated in 82% of the subjects using ultrasound recordings. Interobserver (r = .49 - .81) and intraobserver (r = .87) correlations were high.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the range of passive SI joint motion is more than 2 mm, and may be up to 10 mm in some normal subjects, and that ultrasound imaging could be a useful method for assessing passive SI movement.
Lund
P J
PJ
Department of Radiology, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724-5067, USA.
Krupinski
E A
EA
Brooks
W J
WJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D015588:Observer Variation; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012016:Reference Values; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014743:Videotape Recording