Hip
Intra-Articular / SIJ
Evidence: suggestive
Gillet's Test (Marching Test) Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing Sacroiliac Joint Mobility (Hypomobility).
How to Perform
- Position: Patient stands.
- Palpation: Examiner places one thumb on the PSIS (Posterior Superior Iliac Spine) and the other on the Sacrum (S2).
- Action: Patient flexes the hip (lifts knee) on the side being palpated.
Interpretation of Results
- Normal: The PSIS drops (moves inferiorly) relative to the sacrum.
- Positive (Hypomobile): The PSIS moves up or remains stationary, indicating a 'blocked' or stuck SI joint.
Diagnostic Accuracy
- Low reliability in isolation.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Gillet's Test (Marching 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 Gillet's Test (Marching Test) with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
