Evaluation of the Ability of Physical Therapists to Palpate Intrapelvic Motion With the Stork Test on the Support Side

Barbara A Hungerford, Wendy Gilleard, Michael Moran and Cathryn Emmerson

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the pattern of intrapelvic motion could be detected reliably during a new clinical assessment test for functional load transfer: the Stork Test on the support side.  Three physical therapists were randomly assigned to palpate the motion of the innominate bones and sacrum in 33 subjects during the Stork Test on the support side.  The authors concluded that the ability of the physical therapists to reliably palpate and recognize an altered pattern of intrapelvic motion during the Stork Test on the support side was substantiated. The ability to distinguish between no relative movement and anterior rotation of the innominate bone during a load-bearing task was good. Further research is needed to determine the validity of this test for detecting pelvic girdle dysfunction.

Physical Therapy, 2007, 87(7),879-887

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