SI Joint Pain Dysfunction Self Test

SI Joint Dysfunction

The Sacroiliac Joint (SI Joint) is involved in about 22% of patients with lower back pain.

The pain and dysfunction of the SI Joint is often overlooked and underdiagnosed by physicians.

The pain pattern can overlap with spine (lower back) and hip conditions.  Which is the main reason why it is often missed by physicians or physical therapists who are making a diagnosis.

Some physicians may not think of the SI Joint as a pain generator in the case of lower back pain.

It's possible that some doctors may not know about SI Joint dysfunction because they do not se it enough or treat it enough.

Patients may end up seeing multiple physicians, doctors of physical therapy or other health care providers, get multiple diagnoses, and get many imaging studies including x-ray, MRI, or diagnostic ultrasound imaging. 

The only way that true SI Joint pain can be diagnosed is by a proper movement screen typically performed by a doctor of physical therapy...

Where you (the patient) may have pain with bending, twisting, prolonged sitting, getting up from a chair, or walking up stairs. 

SI Joint Dysfunction - Self Test: "Fortin Finger Test"

The Fortin Finger Test is a diagnostic tool to help find and confirm SI Joint dysfunction. Here's how the test is performed:

The patient will point to the spot on their body that is most irritable or where they feel a majority of their current lower back pain.

Once the individual points to the location, the doctor of physical therapy memorizes the spot and allows the patient to relax. 

Five to ten minutes later, the doctor asks the patient again to point to the area where they feel the most pain.  A positive Fortin finger test is determined by when the patient twice identifies their most painful region within one centimeter of the area known as the posterior superior iliac spine.

The test is positive (+) because it shows the patient is able to consistently identify the source of pain even though some time has passed.

A positive result from the Fortin Finger Test indicates a strong likelihood that the patient is dealing with an SI Joint condition.

See the image below to see the specific area that we're talking about...

Now that you have read above, have you performed the test yourself? 

Do you have a spouse or family member who can confirm that your finger is also pointing to the same location described in the Fortin Finger Test?  Or, are you able to confirm this location by standing in front of a large mirror to see the reflection of where your finger is pointing to?

Either you have a high likelihood of your SI Joint being your source of pain, or it would be a low likelihood.

Now that you have gotten a little more clarity about your potential root cause of your lower back/SI Joint pain...

Are you at the point where you are trying to resolve it on your own?  Or, are you at your "wits end" in finding and fixing the root cause of this pain?

If you are ready to have an expert doctor of physical therapy find and naturally fix the root cause of your pain...

In a convenient manner where we travel to you...

Then, feel free to contact us by writing into the "Contact Us" form or by calling us any time 24/7 at (646)-781-8884.

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