The Gillet test is a manual physical therapy assessment that is designed to evaluate the mobility of your sacroiliac or SI joint.
The Gillet test is also called the stork test and detects whether the SI or sacroiliac joint is blocked or hypomobile, which may also contribute to lower back pain.
The way the Gillet test is performed involves.
The patient stands, while the examiner performing the Gillet test sits or stands behind the patient.
The examiner then places one thumb on the posterior superior iliac spine of the tested side and the other thumb on the sacrum at the S2 level or second sacral tubercle.
The patient is then asked to flex their hip, lifting the knee of the tested side toward their chest as if they are marching.
The examiner then watches the movement of the posterior superior iliac spine relative to the sacrum.
If the Gillet test results in a negative then it's normal and for a negative result the posterior superior iliac spine on the side being tested moves inferiorly downward relative to the sacrum.
For a positive test, which means hypomobility/blocked, the posterior superior iliac spine does not move downward, moves minimally or moves upwards relative to the sacrum.
The Gillet test has a, as reported low to moderate reliability or kappa value of 0.22, 43% sensitivity, 68% specificity, making it's clinical value debated.
The Gillet test is often also used alongside of other sacroiliac tests to diagnose dysfunction.
The Gillet test is also known by names of Marching Test or even Sacral Fixation Test and it assesses for sacroiliac joint dysfunction.