Patrick's (or FABER) Test

Patrick's test stresses the hip and sacroiliac joints. A positive test produces back, buttocks, or groin pain. The thigh and knee of the supine patient are flexed, and the external malleolus of the ankle is placed over the patella of the opposite leg. The test is positive if depression of the knee produces pain.

• The Patrick or FABER test is a screening test for pathology of the hip joint or sacrum.
• The test is performed as follows: Place the patient in the supine position. Flex the leg and put the foot of the tested leg on the opposite knee (the motion is that of Flexion, ABduction, External Rotation at the hip). Slowly press down on the superior aspect of the tested knee joint lowering the leg into further abduction
• The test is positive if there is pain at the hip or sacral joint, or if the leg can not lower to the point of being parallel to the opposite leg.