Test: Mckenzie Side Gliding

Video Link

Background/Purpose

The side gliding test is used to elicit a change in the subjects symptoms. If the patient experiences increased symptoms as he or she bends towards the painful side, the problem may be caused by an intra-articular dysfunction or a disc protrusion lateral to the nerve root. If the patient experiences increased symptoms as he or she bends away of from the painful side, the problem may be caused by a muscular or ligamentous lesion, which will cause tightening of the muscle or ligament. The patient may also have a disc protrusion medial to the nerve root.

Procedure

The clinician starts by observing the patient from behind in a standing posture with their feet shoulder width apart and notes any lateral shift in the spine. The clinician then instructs the patient to place their hands on their hips to and push the pelvis and trunk to the opposite direction while maintaining the shoulders level in the horizontal plane. The subject should note any change in symptoms including pain or quality of movement.
The subject should not lift their feet off the ground or allow their shoulders to tilt.
Performed: Unilaterally

Dialog

Assessment of lateral gliding of the lumbar spine.

Criteria

• Smooth/balanced lumbar motion.
• Pain free motion
• No change in symptoms.

Measurement

LOINC Code

0

Scale/Grading

Pass/Fail