What test is used to identify sacroiliac dysfunction?

The FABERS test, also known as Patrick's test, is specifically designed to assess sacroiliac joint dysfunction. In this test, the participant lies supine, and the provider flexes, abducts, and externally rotates the hip of the tested leg, placing the foot on the opposite knee. Pressure is then applied to the knee while stabilizing the opposite side of the pelvis. Pain felt in the area of the sacroiliac joint indicates dysfunction in that joint.

This test is particularly effective because it evaluates the hip and sacroiliac joint together, allowing for the differentiation of pain sources in the lower back and pelvis. The mechanics of the test put stress on the sacroiliac joint, making it a reliable indication of either dysfunction or irritation in that area.

Other options, such as the FADIR test and the Long sit test, serve different purposes, focusing on hip joint pathologies or different biomechanical assessments, whereas Gaeslen's compression test also evaluates sacroiliac dysfunction but may not be as widely recognized or validated in clinical settings compared to the FABERS test.