The FABER test is a non-invasive orthopedic screening to check for problems with the scaroiliac joint. The test involves bending and rotating the affected leg while keeping the pelvis in place. Pain during the test can indicate joint problems, and further diagnostic tests may be needed. It is important to anchor the pelvis during the test to avoid false negatives.
The flexion, abduction, and external rotation (FABER) test is an orthopedic screening to check for problems with the scaroiliac joint, including the hips and sacrum of the pelvis. A doctor can conduct the non-invasive test in a clinic or hospital setting and it is very quick. Other diagnostic tests that a healthcare professional may use may include medical imaging studies of the joint to check for inflammation and malformations. People may also refer to this technique as the Patrick test and it is usually part of a routine musculoskeletal exam.
In the FABER test, the doctor has the patient lie supine on a table. In this supine position, the patient’s arms and legs should relax on the surface of the couch. The doctor takes the affected leg and bends it while also rotating it so that the inside of the knee is facing up. He or she places their foot on the opposite knee. With the leg in place, the doctor can apply gentle pressure to the opposite side of the hip to keep the pelvis in place, while pressing down on the knee to push the bent leg toward the table.
Healthy patients should feel no pain or strain during this test, and the knee will slowly descend to the table surface. If a patient has a joint problem, it can cause pain in the groin, buttocks, pelvis or back. The location of the pain during the test is an important clue as to which part of the body is involved. The healthcare provider can manipulate the leg in other ways to gather more feedback and information.
Using the outcome of a FABER test and a patient interview, the doctor can begin to explore possible locations and causes of joint pain. X-rays and other images can provide information about the extent of the inflammation or injury. Together, all of this material will help your orthopedic surgeon develop an appropriate treatment plan. This can be as simple as rest to allow a sore area to recover or it could involve surgery to treat severe inflammation or deformation of the joint.
During the test, it is very important to anchor the pelvis so the opposite side does not ride up as the caregiver pushes the knee down. People testing at home to check for joint problems should get help to make sure they’re doing it correctly. If the pelvis is allowed to move, it may be masking the pain because the joint will not be stretched during the exam. This will result in a false negative.
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