Palpation of the sacroiliac joint: An anatomical and sensory challenge

High-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation (HVLA) does not alter three-dimensional position of sacroiliac joint in healthy men: A quasi-experimental study

The impact of high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) manipulations on the behavior of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) mobility in individuals submitted to an osteopathic intervention has not been sufficiently investigated. Furthermore, there is no standard agreement on the description of the acute effects of HLVA with regards to the mobility of the SIJ through three-dimensional motion analysis. The purpose of this study was to analyse possible alterations in the mobility of the SIJ pre- and post-manipulation of the ilium bone in healthy men. Thirty healthy male patients aged between 18 and 35 years were examined and divided into two groups: manipulation (MN) and placebo (PL) groups. SIJ movement was assessed through a three-dimensional motion analysis system before and after osteopathic manipulation of the anterior ilium bone, during hip flexion. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, and Fisher's exact test was used to observe associations of interest in the mobility of the SIJ. Finally, the t-test was used to analyse values of mobility of the SIJ pre- and post-manipulation (p < 0.05). Non-significant differences were observed in SIJ mobility. In MN the means were pre-manipulation right SIJ 39.98 mm ± 10.82 [CI - 29.16-50.8] and post- 42.85 mm ± 27.17 [CI - 15.68-70.02] with p = 0.61. Pre-manipulation left SIJ 41.73 mm ± 15.34 [CI 10.89-82.99] and post- 39.97 mm ± 14.70 [CI - 24.67-54.07] with p = 0.39. HVLA does not alter the mobility of SIJ under these conditions. Further studies under different conditions, with patients that report pain, are required to fully understand the behavior of the SIJ after HVLA manipulation.

Changing the Narrative in Diagnosis and Management of Pain in the Sacroiliac Joint Area

The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is often considered to be involved when people present for care with low back pain where SIJ is located. However, determining why the pain has arisen can be challenging, especially in the absence of a specific cause such as pregnancy, disease, or trauma, when the SIJ might be identified as a source of symptoms with the help of manual clinical tests. Nonspecific SIJ-related pain is commonly suggested to be causally associated with movement problems in the SIJ(s)-a diagnosis traditionally derived from manual assessment of movements of the SIJ complex. Management choices often consist of patient education, manual treatment, and exercise. Although some elements of management are consistent with guidelines, this Perspective article argues that the assumptions on which these diagnoses and treatments are based are problematic, particularly if they reinforce unhelpful, pathoanatomical beliefs. This article reviews the evidence regarding the clinical detection and diagnosis of SIJ movement dysfunction. In particular, it questions the continued use of assessing movement dysfunction despite mounting evidence undermining the biological plausibility and subsequent treatment paradigms based on such diagnoses. Clinicians are encouraged to align their assessment methods and explanatory models with contemporary science to reduce the risk of their diagnoses and choice of intervention negatively affecting clinical outcomes.

Innominate segment deformation during passive hip abduction and external rotation

BACKGROUND

Electromagnetic palpation-digitization technique for measurement of innominate motion involves calculation of innominate rotation using the innominate vector length in the neutral (NEUT) and combined hip abduction and external rotation (HABER) test positions. The innominate vector length [i.e., the segment between anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS)] is not a rigid structure and its deformation could introduce an error influencing the final innominate rotation measurement.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to determine if there is significant deformation occurring in innominate vector length when the hip is loaded into the HABER test position.

METHOD

A cross sectional study using sixteen healthy individuals and a single tester was conducted. Four pelvic landmarks, left and right PSIS and ASIS, were palpated and digitized using 3D digitizing stylus of Polhemus electromagnetic tracking device, in two hip test positions, NEUT and 50° HABER. The innominate vector lengths were calculated from the 3D coordinates of pelvic landmarks, for each hip test positions.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Paired t-tests demonstrated no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the innominate vector lengths at the side of the load as well as the opposite innominate when either the right or left hip was loaded; thus indicating no significant bone deformation in innominate segment during the HABER test position.

Innominate movement patterns, rotation trends and range of motion in individuals with low back pain of sacroiliac joint origin

BACKGROUND

Innominate kinematic anomalies resulting in low back pain (LBP) of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) origin (SIJ-positive), has always been a topic of contention, owing to difficultly in its evaluation. Recent technique of electromagnetic palpation-digitization has been able to accurately quantify innominate kinematics in healthy individuals.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to determine if participants with LBP of SIJ origin (SIJ-positive) demonstrate significantly different innominate kinematics than participants with LBP of non-SIJ origin (SIJ-negative).

DESIGN

Single-blinded cross-sectional case-control study.

METHOD

Participants [n(122)] between the ages of 18 to 50 years, suffering from chronic non-specific LBP (≥3 months) volunteered in the study. An experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapist evaluated and classified participants into either SIJ-positive [n(45)] or SIJ-negative [n(77)] group, using the reference standard pain provocation tests [≥3 positive tests = SIJ-positive]. A research physiotherapist, blinded to clinical groups, conducted the innominate kinematic testing using a valid and reliable electromagnetic palpation-digitization technique, during prone lying incremental hip abduction-external rotation test positions.

RESULTS

The results of the mixed model regression analyses demonstrated that SIJ-positive participants exhibited significantly different innominate movement patterns and trends of rotation, but not innominate ranges of motion, when compared with SIJ-negative LBP participants.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate association between SIJ pain and altered innominate kinematics, and have led the groundwork for further exploration of clinical measurement, relevance, and management of these potentially important movement observations.

Inter-tester reliability of non-invasive technique for measurement of innominate motion

Although the complex anatomical orientation and position of the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) has rendered their 3D kinematic evaluation difficult, recent techniques of palpation-digitization of pelvic landmarks using electromagnetic tracking device have been able to accurately and non-invasively quantify the subtle SIJ kinematics. While this technique demonstrates radiographic validity and high test-retest reliability, it is yet to be assessed with regards to inter-tester and trial-to-trial reliability. A single-group repeated measure design using 4 testers was conducted to evaluate the inter-tester and trial-to-trial reliability of palpation-digitization technique for innominate vector length measurements using the Polhemus electromagnetic tracking device. Fourteen young, healthy adults between the ages of 18-40 years participated in the study. The innominate vector length was calculated from 3D co-ordinates of palpated and digitized pelvic landmarks in two test positions of hip. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine how palpation-digitization errors for pelvic landmarks impacts on innominate angle calculation. Reliability indexes of Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (≥0.97) and Standard error of measurement (SEM) (≤2.02 mm) demonstrated very high inter-tester and trial-to-trial reliability and accuracy of palpation-digitization technique for innominate vector length measurements, irrespective of the two test positions. A higher consistency of measurements was obtained within-testers as compared to between testers, and sensitivity analysis demonstrated a negligible influence of palpation-digitization errors on the innominate angle measurements. The results support clinical and research utility of this technique for non-invasive kinematic evaluation of SIJ motion for this population. Further research on the use of this palpation-digitization technique in symptomatic population is warranted.