The Patrick’s Test is a physcial examination test to determine the presence of sacroiliac joint dysfunction in patients with lower back pain. It is important to evaluate all sources of lower back pain. Common sources of lower back pain include lumbar facet dysfunction, lumbar ligamental instability, lumbar degenerative disc disease and sacroillac joint dyfunction.
The sacroillac joint is a synovial joint formed by the articular surfaces of the sacrum and ilium. The stability of the joint is maintained by a series of ligaments which include the anterior and posterior sacroillac ligament. The joint functions as a shock absober for the pelvis and lumbar spine.
Trauma is the most common cause of SI dyfunction. Patient often times report falling directly onto their buttucks or being involved in a rear end motor vehicle injury.
Symptoms of SI joint dsyfunction include mild to moderate pain, unilateral in nature, aggrevated by prolonged sitting often times referred into the buttuck and posterior thigh.
The patrick’s TTest is performed by flexing the patients leg and putting the foot of the tested leg on the opposite knee. Pressue is applied on the superior aspcect of the tested knee joint lowering the leg into further abduction.
The test is positive if there is pain at the hip or sacral joint, or if the leg can not lower to the point of being parallel to the opposite leg.