Gaenslen's test

Gaenslen's test, also known as Gaenslen's maneuver, is a medical test used to detect musculoskeletal abnormalities and primary-chronic inflammation of the lumbar vertebrae and sacroiliac joint.

It is named after Frederick Julius Gaenslen, the orthopedic surgeon who invented the test.

This is often done by having the patient lying on his or her back, lifting the knee to push towards the patient's chest while the other leg is allowed to fall over the side of an examination table, and is pushed toward the floor, flexing both sacroiliac joints.

The test can also be performed with the patient in the lateral recumbent position.

The patient lies with the involved side up and passively flexes the uninvolved hip as far as comfortable to their chest.