Diagnosis and manipulative therapy of sacroiliac joint disorder

Abstract

Objective

To present a case study and discuss the role of an orthopaedic medicine approach (OMA) to clinical diagnosis and treatment of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) disorder in the light of recent research evidence.

Case study

A 38-year-old female suffering from pain over the SIJ and right buttock was diagnosed to have an SIJ disorder using an orthopaedic medicine assessment. She was managed by a multi-disciplinary treatment approach in which improvement coincided with the addition of manipulation. The patient showed an improvement in the numerical pain rating scale from 6 to 0 and the revised Oswestry back disability score reduced from 25 to 3% at discharge.

Discussion

Latest research evidence suggests that a composite of tests is more valid and reliable in the diagnosis of SIJ dysfunction than individual tests.

Conclusion

The OMA may be improved by the use of a composite of tests for the diagnosis of SIJ disorder.

Keywords:

• Orthopaedic medicine
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• Low-back pain
• Differential diagnosis of low-back pain
• Manipulation

Acknowledgement

I am grateful to Dr Richard Ellis for reviewing this case study. The study was not funded.

Conflict of interest: none.