Fortin Finger Test

Original Editor - Lilian Ashraf
Top Contributors - Lilian Ashraf

Purpose
[edit | edit source]

Sacroiliac joint.png

The Fortin Finger Test is used to detect sacroiliac joint dysfunction.[1]

The sacroiliac joint can be a source of low back pain and lower limb pain. While sacroiliac joint pain is believed to be localized from the buttock to the upper thigh, however the main site of pain would be around the SIJ which patient can indicate with a finger.[2]

Technique
[edit | edit source]

Ask the patient to localize their area of pain using one finger.

A positive test is when the patient twice identifies the painful region as the area inferomedial to the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) within 1 cm using one finger.[1]

[3]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

The original study by Fortin JD, Falco FJ (1997), reported excellent interrater reliability.

However, larger control studies are necessary to determine the predictive value, sensitivity and specificity. [1]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fortin JD, Falco FJ. The Fortin finger test: an indicator of sacroiliac pain. American journal of orthopedics (Belle Mead, NJ). 1997 Jul 1;26(7):477-80.
  2. Murakami E, Aizawa T, Noguchi K, Kanno H, Okuno H, Uozumi H. Diagram specific to sacroiliac joint pain site indicated by one-finger test. Journal of Orthopaedic Science. 2008 Nov;13(6):492-7.
  3. Joel Sattgast. SIJ & Pelvis | Fortin Finger Test. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeZl8_f877w[last accessed 3/8/2022]