Hip
Intra-Articular / SIJ
Evidence: confirmed
Flamingo Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Provocation test for Pubic Symphysis or SI Joint lesions.
How to Perform
- Action: Patient stands on one leg (like a flamingo) and hops once or maintains balance.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Pain in the pubic symphysis or SI joint on the stance side.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Flamingo Test should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Hip region, combining the Flamingo Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
