Lumbopelvic Examination Techniques

These are movements that cannot be actively performed by the patient, but are still necessary for normal joint movement. They are assessed passively by a clinician.

These movements can be performed actively by the patient but are assessed passively by the clinician. They involve the natural range of motion of the joint.

A technique used to assess the movement of a joint by applying pressure to it in a specific direction. It involves gliding the joint surface in a posterior-anterior direction.

A PA glide applied to one side of the joint, while the other side remains stable. It is used to assess the movement of individual vertebral segments.

When assessing a joint using PA glides, it is important to be systematic and consistent in your application. This ensures that you are fairly and reliably evaluating the joint's movement.

A bending movement of the spine forward, bringing the chest towards the thighs. It is typically measured by having the patient 'tuck chin to chest, slide hands down their legs as far as you can.'

The ability of the spine to move backward, extending the back. It can be assessed by 'crossing your arms and leaning back as far as you can.'

The ability of the spine to bend sideways, moving the trunk to the left or right. Measured by 'sliding hand down the side of your leg as far as you can.'

The ability of the spine to rotate, turning the torso from the right to the left. It can be measured by having the patient seated and 'turning and looking behind them as far as possible.'

A series of repeated movements in one direction, assessing how pain responds. Centralization refers to pain moving closer to the center of the body, while peripheralization describes pain spreading further out.

Areas of skin innervated by a specific nerve root. Testing light touch sensation from L2-S2 bilaterally helps identify nerve root pathologies.

Groups of muscles innervated by a specific nerve root. Assessing muscle strength from L2-S2 helps determine nerve root involvement, differentiating between upper and lower motor neuron lesions.

An assessment of hip range of motion (ROM) including flexion, internal rotation (IR), and external rotation (ER). This helps identify potential limitations arising from the hip joint affecting the lumbar spine.

A standardized questionnaire that measures how much a patient's back pain limits their ability to perform daily activities.

This questionnaire assesses a patient's fear of movement and physical activity in relation to their back pain.

A pain scale where patients rate their pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).

A questionnaire based on activities that are important to the patient, allowing them to rate their ability to perform them.

The smallest change in an outcome measure that is considered meaningful for a patient.

A process of using a hypothesis to guide the examination and then confirming or refuting that hypothesis based on the findings.

The process of identifying physical limitations and problems that are preventing a patient from reaching their goals.

The goal of a physical examination is to confirm or refute the initial hypothesis about the patient's condition and to identify impairments and functional limitations.