Gaenslen's test

Gaenslen's Test is a medical procedure used to identify the presence of sacroiliac joint dysfunction, or other issues related to the lumbar spine. The test is named after the American orthopedic surgeon, Frederick Julius Gaenslen, who developed the procedure.

Procedure

The Gaenslen's Test is performed with the patient lying supine on an examination table. The patient is asked to pull one knee to their chest, while allowing the opposite leg to hang off the side of the table. The examiner then applies downward pressure to the hanging leg. A positive Gaenslen's Test is indicated by pain in the sacroiliac joint of the hanging leg.

Clinical Significance

The Gaenslen's Test is used to identify sacroiliac joint dysfunction, a condition that can cause significant lower back pain. This test is particularly useful in diagnosing conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis and sacroiliitis, which are characterized by inflammation of the sacroiliac joint.

Limitations

While the Gaenslen's Test is a useful diagnostic tool, it is not without limitations. The test can produce false positives in patients with hip pathology or lumbar spine issues. Therefore, it should be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests and patient history.

See Also

• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Sacroiliitis
• Frederick Julius Gaenslen

References

Gaenslen's test Resources
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