Four clinical tests of sacroiliac joint dysfunction: the association of test results with innominate torsion among patients with and without low back pain.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the association between innominate torsion (asymmetric anteroposterior positioning of the pelvic innominates) and Gillet, standing forward flexion, sitting forward flexion, and supine-to-sit tests.


METHODS
A sample of 21- to 50-year-old patients with low back pain (n=150) and a comparison group of patients with upper-extremity impairments (n=138) were recruited from outpatient physical therapy facilities.


METHODS
The association of single and combined test results with innominate torsion (calculated from pelvic landmark data) and with presence or absence of low back pain were estimated via odds ratios, sensitivities, specificities, and predictive values.


RESULTS
Individual test sensitivities were low (8%-44%), as were negative predictive values (28%-38%), for identifying the presence of innominate torsion. Combining tests and controlling for sex, age group, leg-length difference, or iliac crest level did not improve performance characteristics. The associations of test results with low back pain were weak, with the exception of the Gillet test (odds ratio=4.57).


CONCLUSIONS
The data do not support the value of these tests in identifying innominate torsion, although the use of these tests for identifying other phenomena (eg, sacroiliac joint hypomobility) cannot be ruled out. Further exploration of the association of Gillet test results with low back pain is warranted.
Levangie
P K
PK
Physical Therapy Program, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Conn., USA. alevangiep@aol.com
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011187:Posture; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014102:Torsion Abnormality