Femoral Shear Test

What is the "Femoral Shear Test" used for?

• Assess the integrity and pain provocation of the sacroiliac (SI) joint. 
• It helps to detect dysfunction or irritation within the SI joint complex.

How to perform the "Femoral Shear Test"?

• The patient lies in the supine position (on their back) on the examination table.
• The examiner stands beside the patient.
• The patient’s hip and thigh are slightly flexed, abducted, and laterally rotated—approximately 45° from the midline.
• The examiner supports the patient’s knee and applies a gradual downward (posteriorly directed) force through the long axis of the femur.
• This maneuver produces an anterior-to-posterior shear stress on the sacroiliac joint on the same side.

What is the positive result?

• The test is considered positive if the patient reports pain localized over the sacroiliac joint during the maneuver. 
• A positive result indicates SI joint dysfunction, inflammation, or irritation.