- Compression
- Patient in supine position, hands crossed on the anterior superior iliac spine
- Compressing the iliosacral joint posteriorly, opening the joint anteriorly
- Distraction
- Patient in side-lying position, compressing toward the ilium
- Opening the iliosacral joint posteriorly, compressing the joint anteriorly
Iliosacral joint compression
Test characteristics: Sensitivity 60, Specificity 81, LR+3.2, LR-0.5
Iliosacral joint distraction
Test characteristics: Sens 69, Spec 69, LR+2.2, LR-0.4
The compression test is performed with the patient in supine position, with crossed hands on the iliac crest pressing the pelvis apart and thus compressing the posterior part of the iliosacral joint (compression). The distraction test is performed with the patient in lateral position, the doctor presses against the iliac crest and opens the posterior part of the joint. Both tests should produce unilateral pain over the pelvic joint.