Supine Long Sitting Test
Purpose
Supine Long Sitting Test (LST) is a type of symmetry test.[1] LST is a commonly performed clinical assessment by orthopedic physical therapists for evaluating iliosacral dysfunctions.[2] The purpose of this test is to determine if an apparent Leg Length Discrepancy is caused by a torsion in the Sacroiliac Joint.[3]
Technique
Initially, the patient lies supine, in a hook lying position. The pelvis should be stabilized as the examiner pulls the patient's legs into full extension while holding the patient's ankles above the malleoli. The examiner then observes the presence of differences between the two medial malleoli. The patient tries to sit-up into a long sitting position while keeping the patient's legs extended. Determine whether there has been a change, compare the length of each leg at the level of the medial malleoli once more in this position.[4]
A positive test would indicate that the leg that seemed shorter will lengthen during the sit-up if there is a posterior innominate rotation while the leg that seemed longer will get shorter during the sit-up if there is an anterior innominate rotation.[3]
Evidence
Levangie PK reported that the LST has a sensitivity of 0.44% and a specificity of 0.64%.[3]
Resources
Supine to Long Sit Test Template
References
- ↑ Ojeniweh O. Effectiveness of combined physiotherapy interventions as a conservative treatment for sacroiliac joint dysfunction pain: a case report. Int Acad J Med Clin Pract. 2022;7(2):15. Available from: www.cirdjournal.com/index.php/iajmcp/index. Accessed 2025 Jan 10.
- ↑ Bemis T, Daniel M. Validation of the long sitting test on subjects with iliosacral dysfunction. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1987;8(7):336–45. doi:10.2519/jospt.1987.8.7.336. Accessed 2025 Jan 10.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Levangie PK. Four clinical tests of sacroiliac joint dysfunction: the association of test results with innominate torsion among patients with and without back pain. Phys Ther. 1999 Nov;79(11):1043–57. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10534797/. Accessed 2025 Jan 10.
- ↑ Lee D. The pelvic girdle: an approach to the examination and treatment of the lumbo-pelvic-hip region. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2004.