Correction of Low Back Pain From Sacroiliac Malrotation With a Simple in Home Exercise (SIbackpain)
Frequency of Sacroiliac Malrotation in Low Back Pain and Correction With a Simple In-home Exercise: A Randomized Study Comparing Those Treated Immediately to Those Waiting One Month for Treatment
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Detailed Description
Potential participants with low back pain will answer a questionnaire to eliminate lumbar or hip pathology, ankylosing spondylitis or major leg length discrepancy as cause. If they state they do not have these, they will be given an appointment to be assessed to eliminate the presence of these conditions and to determine if they suffer from sacroiliac malrotation. To this effect, the sacroiliac forward flexion test (SIFFT) will be done: leaning on a counter with their body horizontal to tilt the pelvis forward and lower the sacrum and their legs vertical to push the innominate bones upwards via the hip joints, to expose the posterior superior iliac spines (PSISs). Pressure below the PSISs will be used to assess their inferior limits which will be marked and their levels assessed using a carpenter's level. The distance between the PSIS levels will be recorded. If there is tenderness under the higher PSIS, the ilium is malrotated anteriorly on the sacrum. If the area under the lower PSIS is tender, the ilium is malrotated posteriorly on the sacrum.
Participants are then randomized into three groups: group 1 is taught how to assess the direction of the malrotation, then how to perform the appropriate corrective exercise:
- With the foot of the anteriorly rotated side and the knee on the posteriorly rotated side on the floor, hands on the floor on either side of the foot, the participant leans forward hard to push his anteriorly rotated ilium posteriorly with his thigh and stretches the opposite thigh posteriorly to pull the posteriorly rotated ilium forward.
- Anterior malrotation can also be corrected by placing the foot on the malrotated side on a chair seat, flexing the other knee to touch the seat edge and pulling with both hands up on the seat while leaning back, to drive the thigh against the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), thus pushing it backwards.
- If unable to do these, participants can lie supine on the table, thigh on the posterior side extended. On the anterior side the knee is flexed and the foot is on the assistant's sternum as he/she leans forward, pushing the thigh against the ASIS. Downward pressure on the sartorius and rectus femoris just above the knee causes the ASIS and the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) to be pulled on, rotating the ilium anteriorly.
Each position is held for 2 minutes, with up to 2 repetitions as needed. At home, the procedure is repeated as needed for pain relief.
Group 2 are given a pelvic stabilization belt and taught how to apply it: tightly around the pelvis below the anterior superior iliac spines (ASISs), to stabilize the sacroiliac joints as malrotation occurs as a result of pelvic instability. The belt is used for activities known to cause back pain.
Group 3 are instructed to continue their usual treatments and given an appointment to return one month later to receive instruction for the exercise and given the belt At 1 month all are reassessed. Group 1: use and effectiveness of the exercises is recorded and they are given the belt. Group 2: use and effectiveness of the belt is recorded and they are taught how to examine and correct their sacroiliac joints. Group 3: use and satisfaction with their current treatment is recorded. They are then taught the examination and corresponding exercise and given the belt.
At 2 months, when all participants have used both treatments for one month, all are reassessed.
Data collected includes:
at the first visit: Diagnoses associated with low back pain: lumbar spondylosis, hip arthritis, hypermobility, leg length discrepancy.
Conditions associated with sacroiliac malrotation, tendinitis of sacroiliac joint stabilizer muscles and lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy. Muscle insertions tested include quadratus lumborum, gluteus medius and minimus, piriformis, iliopsoas, biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus.
At all visits:
Brief pain inventory pain severity (BPI PS), the Oswestry low-back disability scores (ODI) and the distance in centimetres between the posterior superior iliac spine levels from the SIFFT test (PSISL), at intake, one month and two months visits. Together with the following:
Use of pain medications alcohol and marijuana Use and satisfaction with other treatments for back pain relief (physiotherapy, acupuncture, yoga, core exercises, chiropractor, massage).
Position of the malrotated sacroiliac joint or joints. Distance in centimetres between the levels of the PSISs before and after the corrective exercise. (Visits 2 and 3 for all, visits 1, 2, 3 for group 1) Numeric rating scale pain score after the corrective exercise. Use of and satisfaction with the SI corrective exercise at first visit for group 1 and at the second and third visit for all.
Use of and satisfaction with the pelvic belt at the first visit for group 2 and at the second and third visits for all.
Study Type
Enrollment (Actual)
Phase
- Not Applicable
Contacts and Locations
Study Locations
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British Columbia
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North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V7M 2K2
- Dr. Helene Bertrand Inc.
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Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 19 to 90
- Participants present with pain in their low back (below the waist) or their buttocks.
- Able to attend all 3 study visits at the participating physician's office.
- Able to attend at least the first two visits with someone willing to assist them in assessing their back and help them with the necessary exercise if need be.
- Willing to perform the corrective exercise and or wear the sacroiliac stabilization belt at home as needed
- Their posterior superior iliac spines (PSISs) are not level on initial examination.
- The long dorsal sacroiliac ligament below at least one of the (PSISs) is tender to palpation on initial examination.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pain experienced is lumbar in origin
- Pain secondary to hip or other pathology
- PSISs are level at initial examination
- No tenderness to pressure under the PSISs
- Severe pain elsewhere in the body, making the assessment of back pain difficult.
- Presence of ankylosing spondylitis (seen on x-ray, pain worse at night, relieved by exercise, abnormal C reactive protein (CRP) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- Obvious leg length discrepancy (> 1 ½ cm) when measured umbilicus to medial malleolus.
- Location of PSISs cannot be assessed accurately due to back mice or obesity.
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Primary Purpose: Treatment
- Allocation: Randomized
- Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
- Masking: None (Open Label)
Arms and Interventions
Participant Group / Arm |
Intervention / Treatment |
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Experimental: Immediate corrective exercises
At this visit, participants will be examined as described in the protocol and given an exercise to correct their sacroiliac malrotation. They will use this exercise as needed for pain control. They will be reassessed one month later. At that time they will be given the pelvic support belt and the concurrent use of both treatments will be assessed at their last visit one month after that. |
The sacroiliac forward flexion test (SIFFT) finds the position of each innominate bone.
Subjects learn 1 of 3 exercises.
To correct anterior rotation, flex the thigh hard against the ilium, pushing it backwards.
To correct posterior rotation, hyperextend the thigh to pull the ilium forward.
1.Genuflect, anterior foot and posterior knee on the floor hands on the floor on either side of the foot, sliding the knee backwards to hyperextend the thigh.
2. Supine, anterior foot on an assistant's sternum, posterior thigh hyperextended.
Assistant leans forward, forcing the anterior thigh against the ilium and pushing down on the posterior thigh.
3.
For anterior rotation alone: anterior foot on a chair seat, pulling up hard with both hands, leaning back, forcing the thigh against the ilium.
Hold position for 2 minutes.
Use as needed for pain control.
They are reassessed one month later when they receive the pelvic support belt.
Both treatments used together will be assessed one month after.
Other Names:
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Experimental: Immediate use of pelvic support belt
Participants will be given a pelvic support belt to stabilize their pelvis. They will use this belt for activities likely to precipitate back pain. They will be reassessed one month later. At that time they will be given the exercises and the concurrent use of both treatments will be assessed at their last visit one month after that. |
Participants will be given a pelvic support belt to stabilize their sacroiliac joints. The belt is fitted tightly around the pelvis, over the sacrum and below the anterior superior iliac spines (ASISs) to prevent opening the joint. (The upper part of the innominate bones flares out so pushing them inwards will move the lower part outwards, away from the sacrum, opening the sacroiliac joints, increasing their instability). They will use this belt for activities which have in the past precipitated back pain. They will be reassessed one month later. At that time they will be given the exercises to correct their sacroiliac malrotation and the concurrent use of both treatments will be assessed at their last visit one month later.
Other Names:
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Active Comparator: Delayed treatment
These participants will continue using their current therapies to deal with their low back pain for one month prior to being scheduled for a treatment visit. At the treatment visit, one month later they will be given both the exercise and the belt. The concurrent use of both treatments will be assessed at their last visit one month after that. |
Participants will continue the treatments they are currently using to relieve their low back pain for one month.
At their one-month visit, they will be taught how to assess the direction of sacroiliac malrotation and how to do the corrective exercise.
They will also be fitted for a pelvic stabilization belt.
Other Names:
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What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
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Oswestry Low-back Pain Disability Questionnaire Score Change Baseline Minus 1 Month: Comparison Immediate Corrective Exercise or Pelvic Stabilization Belt V Delayed: Usual Care
Time Frame: From baseline to 1 month after each participant used their assigned treatment
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Change in Oswestry low-back disability questionnaire (ODI) score between assessment visit and visit 1 month later.
This score is calculated from the sum of the scores in each of 10 sections.
Each section is rated 0 for no problem to 5 for complete disability.
Section 1, pain intensity, section 2, personal care (washing, dressing etc.), section 3, lifting, section 4, walking, section 5, sitting, section 6, standing, section 7, sleeping, section 8, sex life (if applicable), section 9, social life, section 10, travelling.
The score is calculated as: 100 x (sum of the scores in each section / number of sections scored X5).
Minimum = 0, maximum = 100.
Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
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From baseline to 1 month after each participant used their assigned treatment
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Oswestry Low-Back Pain Disability Questionnaire Score Change Baseline Minus 2 Month Score, After One Month Of Using Corrective Exercise + Pelvic Stabilization Belt
Time Frame: Two months: from baseline visit to last visit two months later when all participants have used both the pelvic stabilization belt and the corrective exercise for one month
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Change in Oswestry low-back disability questionnaire (ODI) score between assessment visit and visit 2 months later after using the corrective exercise + the pelvic stabilization belt for one month.
=(ODI at assessment - ODI at 2 months).
The ODI score is calculated from the sum of the scores in each of 10 sections.
Each section is rated 0 for no problem to 5 for complete disability.
Section 1, pain intensity, section 2, personal care (washing, dressing etc.), section 3, lifting, section 4, walking, section 5, sitting, section 6, standing, section 7, sleeping, section 8, sex life (if applicable), section 9, social life, section 10, travelling.
The score is calculated as: 100 x (sum of the scores in each section / number of sections scored).
Minimum = 0, maximum = 100.
Higher scores mean greater disability, a worse outcome.
The greater the change, the better the outcome.
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Two months: from baseline visit to last visit two months later when all participants have used both the pelvic stabilization belt and the corrective exercise for one month
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Secondary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
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Brief Pain Inventory Score Change Over One Month. Baseline Score Minus 1 Month Score. Comparison: Immediate Corrective Exercise or Pelvic Stabilization Belt V Delayed: Usual Care
Time Frame: 1 month after initial visit (baseline BPI pain score minus one-month BPI pain score) with each group using their assigned treatment
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Change in BPI pain score between baseline assessment visit and visit one month later: on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain) pain in the last 24 hours: • on average • at its worst • at its best • right now. Average of these values. Minimum value, 0, maximum value, 10. Higher scores mean a worse outcome. A higher change between the initial visit and the one month visit means a better outcome. |
1 month after initial visit (baseline BPI pain score minus one-month BPI pain score) with each group using their assigned treatment
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Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Pain Score Change Over Two Months Comparison: Baseline (BPI) Pain Score Minus 2 Month (BPI) Pain Score, After One Month Of Using Corrective Exercise + Pelvic Stabilization Belt
Time Frame: 2 months after baseline visit when all groups have used both the pelvic stabilization belt and the corrective exercise for one month
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Change in BPI pain score between baseline visit and visit minus BPI pain score two months later after one month of using corrective exercise + pelvic stabilization belt On a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain) pain in the last 24 hours: • on average • at its worst • at its best • right now.
Average of these values.
Minimum value, 0, maximum value, 10.
Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
A higher change between the initial visit and the later visit means a better outcome.
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2 months after baseline visit when all groups have used both the pelvic stabilization belt and the corrective exercise for one month
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Distance Between The Posterior Superior Iliac Spine Levels (PSISL) Using The Sacroiliac Forward Flexion (SIFFT) Test Comparing Corrective Exercise, Pelvic Belt, Conventional Treatment: Baseline Value Minus 1 Month Value..
Time Frame: One month comparing the different treatments at baseline and one month later.
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Difference in distance in centimetres between the levels of the higher & the lower posterior superior iliac spines as measured using a carpenter's level between the value found on admission and that found one month later (PSISL).
The minimum is 0 cm, the maximum is 3.5 cm.
Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
The greater difference when the distance is calculated between admission and one or two months later means a better outcome.
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One month comparing the different treatments at baseline and one month later.
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Distance Between The Posterior Superior Iliac Spine Levels (PSISL) Using The Sacroiliac Forward Flexion (SIFFT) Test, Baseline Minus One Month After Using Corrective Exercise (SIFFTE) + Pelvic Stabilization Belt.
Time Frame: 2 months: comparing baseline values and values after all participants have used the corrective exercise and the sacroiliac stabilization belt for one month.
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The distance between the levels (determined using a carpenter's level) of the higher & the lower posterior superior iliac spines (PSISL) was measured in centimetres.
The outcome measure is the difference between the value found on admission and that (PSISL) value found two months later after all participants have use the corrective exercises (SIFFT E) and the sacroiliac stabilizer belt for one month.
The minimum is 0 cm, the maximum is 3.5 cm.
On admission, higher scores mean a worse outcome.
The greater difference when the distance is calculated between admission and two months later means a better outcome.
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2 months: comparing baseline values and values after all participants have used the corrective exercise and the sacroiliac stabilization belt for one month.
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Collaborators and Investigators
Sponsor
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Helene Bertrand, University of British Columbia Department of family practice
Publications and helpful links
General Publications
- Szadek KM, van der Wurff P, van Tulder MW, Zuurmond WW, Perez RS. Diagnostic validity of criteria for sacroiliac joint pain: a systematic review. J Pain. 2009 Apr;10(4):354-68. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2008.09.014. Epub 2008 Dec 19.
- Deyo RA, Weinstein JN. Low back pain. N Engl J Med. 2001 Feb 1;344(5):363-70. doi: 10.1056/NEJM200102013440508. No abstract available.
- Potter NA, Rothstein JM. Intertester reliability for selected clinical tests of the sacroiliac joint. Phys Ther. 1985 Nov;65(11):1671-5. doi: 10.1093/ptj/65.11.1671.
- Bertrand H, Reeves KD, Mattu R, Garcia R, Mohammed M, Wiebe E, Cheng AL. Self-Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain Based on a Rapid and Objective Sacroiliac Asymmetry Test: A Pilot Study. Cureus. 2021 Nov 11;13(11):e19483. doi: 10.7759/cureus.19483. eCollection 2021 Nov.
- Chou R, Qaseem A, Snow V, Casey D, Cross JT Jr, Shekelle P, Owens DK; Clinical Efficacy Assessment Subcommittee of the American College of Physicians; American College of Physicians; American Pain Society Low Back Pain Guidelines Panel. Diagnosis and treatment of low back pain: a joint clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Oct 2;147(7):478-91. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-147-7-200710020-00006. Erratum In: Ann Intern Med. 2008 Feb 05;148(3):247-8. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-148-3-200802050-00020.
Helpful Links
- Caitlin R Finley, Derek S Chan, Scott Garrison, et al. What are the most common conditions in primary care? Systematic review, Canadian Family Physician/ Le Médecin De Famille Canadien, 64, November 2018, 832 - 840
- Levangie PK , Four clinical tests of sacroiliac joint dysfunction: the association of test results with innominate torsion among patients with and without low back pain. Phys Ther. 1999;79(11):1043.
- Riddle DL, Freburger JK, Evaluation of the presence of sacroiliac joint region dysfunction using a combination of tests: a multicenter intertester reliability study. Phys Ther. 2002;82(8):772.
- Description of sacroiliac forward flexion test (SIFFT), the three possible corrective exercises for sacroiliac malrotation, how to apply the pelvic stabilization belt
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Actual)
Primary Completion (Actual)
Study Completion (Actual)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Actual)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Estimated)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Additional Relevant MeSH Terms
Other Study ID Numbers
- H19-01224
Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)
Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?
IPD Plan Description
IPD Sharing Time Frame
IPD Sharing Access Criteria
IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type
- STUDY_PROTOCOL
- SAP
- ICF
- CSR
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
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