Gaenslen Test

Be the first to edit this page and have your name permanently included as the original editor, see the editing pages tutorial for help.

Original Editor (Jason Therrien) - Your name will be added here if you created the original content for this page. Lead Editors - Your name will be added here if you are a lead editor on this page.  Read more.

Purpose

Gaenslen's Test is used to detect musculoskeletal abnormalities and primary-chronic inflammation of the lumbar vertebrae and sacroiliac joint. Specifically, this test can indicate the presence or absence of a sacroiliac joint lesion, pubic symphysis instability, hip pathology, or an L4 nerve root lesion. It also stresses the femoral nerve.

Technique

Patient is supine on the edge of a table. The leg being tested is hyperextended at the hip so that it hangs over the table while the other leg is flexed at the hip and knee. The patient should hold the non-tested leg with both arms while the therapist stabilizes the pelvis and applies passive pressure to the tested leg to hold it in the hyperextended position. The therapist then applies more pressure so that the hip is put into further extension and adduction.

If pain is reproduced, the test is considered positive for SI joint lesion, hip pathology, pubic synthesis instability, or an L4 nerve root lesion. The femoral nerve may also be stressed by this test.

Evidence

Provide the evidence for this technique here

Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)

The value of sacroiliac pain provocation tests in early active sacroiliitis.

Factors related to the inability of individuals with low back pain to improve with a spinal manipulation.

Clinical tests of the sacroiliac joint. A systematic methodological review. Part 1: Reliability.

Computed tomography in diagnosis of septic sacroiliitis: report of three cases.

Pyogenic infections of the sacro-iliac joint.