Unilateral Hip Rotation Range of Motion Asymmetry in Patients With Sacroiliac Joint Regional Pain

Research Review: Unilateral Hip Rotation Range of Motion Asymmetry in Patients With Sacroiliac Joint Regional Pain

By Amy Martinez DPT, PT

Edited by Brent Brookbush DPT, PT, COMT, MS, PES, CES, CSCS, ACSM H/FS

Original Citation: Cibulka, M. T., Sinacore, D. R., Cromer, G. S., & Delitto, A. (1998). Unilateral hip rotation range of motion asymmetry in patients with sacroiliac joint regional pain. Spine, 23(9), 1009-1015. - ABSTRACT

Introduction: Research has demonstrated a correlation between low back pain (LBP), hip external rotation greater than internal rotation, and asymmetries in hip range of motion (ROM) (1 - 3). Additionally, research has demonstrated asymmetrical external rotation ROM in individuals with sacrociliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction (4 - 6). Prior research has demonstrated a correlation between SIJ pain and a relative tilt of a pelvic innominate (7 - 8); however, these studies did not make an attempt to also correlate changes in hip ROM. This 1998 study by American researchers demonstrates that hip external rotation ROM is asymmetrical and significantly greater on the side of the posteriorly inomminate tilt (PIT) in individuals with LBP and/or SIJ pain. These findings suggest that hip range of motion and relative tilt of the pelvic innominate should be assessed in individuals exhibiting symptoms of LBP and/or SIJ pain.

Caption: Anatomy of the Sacroiliac Joint

Sacroiliac Joint. (Image: BruceBlaus - own work, cc-by-3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sacroiliac_Joint.png)

Study Summary

Study Design	Cross-sectional, observational study
Level of Evidence	Level III - Evidence from non-experimental descriptive studies, such as comparative studies, correlation studies and case-control studies
Participant Characteristics	Demographics Age: 39 +/- 14 yrs Number of participants: 100 Gender: 56 male, 44 female Average height: 167 cm Average weight: 66 kg Participants were undergoing treatment for low back pain (LBP) at a private physical therapy clinic Inclusion Criteria: LBP for 3 weeks or less Referred by physicians with medical diagnoses including low back strain, low back pain or sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction Exclusion Criteria: No LBP Signs of symptom magnification as described by Waddell et al. (9): Superficial or nonorganic tenderness Standing vertical axial loading or passive spinal rotation Straight leg raise during distracted attention "Giving way" muscular weakness and/or "stocking" sensory changes affecting the same area Overreaction during examination Unable to tolerate measurement of passive hip rotation due to pain
Methodology	Participants described symptoms of their LBP by completing a pain drawing at the initial visit A single examiner evaluated all participants for signs of SIJ dysfunction using an observable difference of at least 2.54 centimeters between sides; the overall result was considered positive if at least 3 of these 4 tests were positive: Standing Flexion Test Palpation of posterior superior iliac spine heights while sitting Supine/Long Sitting Positions test Prone Knee Flexion Test Participants were measured for passive external and internal hip rotation ROM in the prone position with the knee placed in 90 degrees of flexion: One examiner performed the passive ROM movement and was blind to the measurement of the goniometer, which was read by another examiner The mean of 3 trials was taken for each measurement The examiner who performed the ROM measurements was blind to the results of the SI joint dysfunction testing Participants were classified into groups based on the results of the SI joint dysfunction testing (LBP with or without SI joint regional pain) Those classified with SI joint regional pain were further classified by the side that exhibited a posterior innominate tilt, as per the results of the SI tests as described above
Data Collection and Analysis	Hip Rotation ROM was analyzed with two multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) tests: A 2 x 2 x 2 analysis with repeated measures using 3 factors: Group (with or without SI joint regional pain) Side of the body (right or left hip) Hip rotation ROM (external or internal rotation) A 2 x 2 analysis with repeated measures performed only on participants who were classified as having sacroiliac joint regional pain during the study: Side of the posterior innominate (PI) (involved or uninvolved) Hip rotation ROM (external or internal rotation) Alpha level was set at 0.05 Intra-rater Reliability The weighted K was used for the combination of SI joint regional pain tests An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for hip rotation ROM
Outcome Measures	Sacroiliac (SI) joint regional pain Side of posterior innominate (PI) tilt Hip external and internal rotation Intra-rater reliability
Results	All Participants The initial MANOVA performed on all participants showed: No significant differences in the effects of group or side of the body Significant effect was noted for hip rotation (F=48.7; P<0.05) where external rotation was greater than internal rotation Sacroiliac Joint Regional Pain 76 participants were positive for sacroiliac joint regional pain (positive in 3 out of 4 tests) 33 (43.4%) were classified as having a left posteriorly rotated innominate (PI) 43 (56.6%) were classified as having a right PI Side of the body (right or left hip) 24 participants demonstrated no sign of sacroiliac joint regional pain (positive in only 1 out of 4 tests) The MANOVA performed on only these participants demonstrated: A significant effect of hip rotation ROM (F=43.55; P<0.05) A significant side of PI by hip rotation ROM interaction (F=122.87; P<0.05) Participants with evidence of a PI showed significantly greater external hip rotation on the same side as the PI (reported as the mean value +/- standard deviation) Left PI and left external rotation: 60.2 degrees +/- 9.4 Right PI and right external rotation: 62.5 degrees +/- 11.4 Intra-rater Reliability Results from 35 of the 100 participants were used to establish intra-rater reliability for the examiner who evaluated the combination of sacroiliac joint tests. The weighted K was 0.86, which was comparable to an earlier study (7). Results from 29 of the 100 participants were used to establish intra-rater reliability for the examiner who evaluated hip rotation ROM. The ICC was 0.97 for internal rotation and 0.98 for external rotation.
Our Conclusions	The findings of this study reinforce the asymmetry in hip ROM and posterior rotation of the innominate on the side of reduced hip IR as part of the altered movement patterns described in the Brookbush Institute’s predictive models of Lumbo Pelvic Hip Complex Dysfunction (LPHCD) and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SIJD).
Researchers' Conclusions	This study demonstrates that participants with LBP exhibit greater external than internal hip rotation ROM. In participants who had signs of sacroiliac joint regional pain, there was significantly more external hip rotation ROM on the side of the posteriorly tilted innominate. These findings imply a compensation pattern, and that unilateral hip rotation ROM asymmetry in patients with LBP may also be related to sacroiliac joint regional pain.

Goniometry of hip external rotation in a prone position. (Image: Courtesy of www.BrentBrookbush.com)

How this study contributes to the body of research:

This study on 100 LBP patients investigated hip rotation ROM, signs of SIJ regional pain, side of relative posterior innominate tilt, and inter-rater reliability of all tests. Prior studies have demonstrated, individuals with low back pain (LBP) exhibit more hip external rotation than internal rotation range of motion (ROM) bilaterally; however, those who exhibit sacroiliac (SI) joint regional pain exhibit asymmetry in external rotation ROM (1-6). Unique to this study, researchers demonstrated that individuals with SI joint regional pain, exhibited more hip external rotation ROM on the side of the posteriorly innominate tilt (PIT). This study may imply a compensation pattern, and/or correlations between LBP, SIJ pain, relative PIT on one side, and asymmetry in hip rotation ROM (specifically more hip external rotation). Note, this study also demonstrated good inter-rater reliability for all tests.

How the Findings Apply to Practice:

The findings of this study suggest that in individuals with sacroiliac (SI) joint regional pain, a unilateral asymmetry in hip external rotation range of motion (ROM) is associated with a posterior innominate (PI) tilt. This suggests that individuals with LBP and/or SIJ should be assessed for asymmetries during functional activity, asymmetries in hip ROM, posterior superior iliac spine height, and potentially SIJ stiffness. Further, the human movement professional should be prepared with techniques to address any assessed issues.

The study had many methodological strengths, including:

Researchers were blinded to participants’ performance on SIJ and goniometric assessments, enhancing the validity of data collection and minimizing tester bias.
Intra-rater reliability was calculated through weighted K and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), demonstrating significance and reliability for the data collected.
The SIJ special test methods were clearly described in the study, enhancing clinical applicability.
Researchers established a minimum observable difference of 2.54 cm (1 inch) for SIJ tests, enhancing the reliability of the results.

Weaknesses that should be noted prior to clinical integration of the findings include:

A 'gold standard' for detecting movement dysfunction of the SIJ, and SIJ tests rely on palpation and the examiner's skills; this limits test reliability. (Note: the minimum of 1 inch difference mentioned above would aid in improving reliability)
A control group was not used for comparison in this study, introducing a detection bias in the results.
Participants completed a pain drawing to describe their pain, but this process was not described in detail; this may limit the ability to compare or replicate this study.
The results of hip ROM values were presented in graph format. Providing objective numerical data would enhance interpretation of the results and comparison between similar studies.

How the study relates to Brookbush Institute Content:

The Brookbush Institute has developed predictive models of postural dysfunction based on evidence of common tissue changes (muscle, joint, fascia and nerve) to aid human movement professionals in selecting optimal assessments, manual interventions and exercise. The Lumbo Pelvic Hip Complex Dysfunction (LPHCD) and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SIJD) models note changes in hip mobility that are consistent with the findings of this study, including a decrease in hip internal rotation compared to external rotation, and potential asymmetry between right and left hip ROM.

The following videos illustrate common assessment techniques for the LPHCD and SIJD :

Overhead Squat Assessment: Sign Clusters – Lumbo Pelvic Hip Complex Dysfunction

Overhead Squat Assessment: Sign Clusters – Asymmetrical Weight Shift

Goniometry: Hip external rotation in prone

Goniometry: Hip internal rotation in prone

Stork Test: Special Test for SIJ Motion

Bibliography:

Barbee Ellison, J., Rose, S. J., & Sahrmann, S. A. (1990). Patterns of hip rotation range of motion: a comparison between healthy subjects and patients with low back pain. Physical Therapy, 70(9), 537-541.
Mellin, G. (1988). Correlations of hip mobility with degree of back pain and lumbar spinal mobility in chronic low-back pain patients. Spine, 13(6), 668-670.
Chesworth, B. M., Padfield, B. J., Helewa, A., et al. (1994). A comparison of hip mobility in patients with low back pain and matched healthy subjects. Physiother Can, 46, 267-274.
LaBan, M. M., Meerschaert, J. R., Taylor, R. S., & Tabor, H. D. (1978). Symphyseal and sacroiliac joint pain associated with pubic symphysis instability. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 59(10), 470-472.
Cibulka, M. T. (1992). The treatment of the sacroiliac joint component to low back pain: a case report. Physical therapy, 72(12), 917-922.
Fowler, C. (1986). Muscle energy techniques for pelvic dysfunction. Modern Manual Therapy of the Vertebral Column. Edinburgh, Scotland: Churchill Livingstone, 805-14.
Cibulka, M. T., Delitto, A., & Koldehoff, R. M. (1988). Changes in innominate tilt after manipulation of the sacroiliac joint in patients with low back pain: an experimental study. Physical Therapy, 68(9), 1359-1363.
Cummings, G., Scholz, J. P., & Barnes, K. (1993). The effect of imposed leg length difference on pelvic bone symmetry. Spine, (18), 368-368.
Waddell, G., McCullock, J.A., Kummel, E., et al. (1980). Non-organic physical signs in low-back pain. Spine, (5), 117-125.

Questions, comments and criticisms are welcomed and encouraged.

Unilateral Hip Rotation Range of Motion Asymmetry in Patients With Sacroiliac Joint Regional Pain

Research Review: Unilateral Hip Rotation Range of Motion Asymmetry in Patients With Sacroiliac Joint Regional Pain

Bibliography:

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