Gillet's Test (Marching Test): Assessing SI Joint Mobility

Gillet's Test, also commonly called the Marching Test or Sacral Fixation Test, is a manual palpation assessment used by physiotherapists to check for hypomobility (stiffness) or "locking" in the sacroiliac joint.

[Image of Gillet's Test SI Joint palpation]

1. Purpose

The primary purpose of Gillet's Test (also known as the Marching Test or Sacral Fixation Test) is to **assess the mobility** of the Sacroiliac (SI) joint. Specifically, it checks for functional posterior rotation of the ilium relative to the sacrum during hip flexion.

2. How to Perform

1. The patient is positioned in standing.
2. The examiner stands behind the patient.
3. The examiner places one thumb on the Posterior Superior Iliac Spine (PSIS) of the side being tested.
4. The examiner places the other thumb on the S2 spinous process of the sacrum (roughly at the same level).
5. The patient is instructed to flex their hip and knee (march in place), lifting the test leg to at least 90 degrees.

3. Positive & Negative Sign

Positive Sign (Test is POSITIVE for dysfunction):
Abnormal movement:

• The PSIS on the test side does NOT move inferiorly (down) relative to the sacrum, or it moves superiorly (up).
• This indicates SI joint hypomobility or fixation on that side.

Negative Sign (Test is NEGATIVE/Normal):
Normal movement: The PSIS moves inferiorly and posteriorly relative to the S2 spinous process as the hip flexes.