Active Sidelying Piriformis Test

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Keywords

Active Piriformis Test

• Patient positioned in contralateral sidelying (test hip upward) with bent knees and slight hip flexion¹

• Clinician palpates the piriformis muscle¹

• Patient performs isometric hip abduction + ER against examiner resistance¹

• Positive

  • Provocation at point of palpation¹
  • Radiating pain¹

References

1.

APTA. Current Concepts of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. 5th ed.; 2024.