Test library › Hip, groin & thigh
Seated piriformis stretch test
For: Sciatic nerve entrapment in the buttock
The sciatic nerve is compressed or tethered as it passes through the deep buttock, for example by the piriformis muscle or fibrous bands. Also called deep gluteal syndrome; piriformis syndrome is one form of it.
Best used to rule inWhat the numbers mean
- Positive result: a moderate rule-in: a positive result makes the diagnosis clearly more likely.
- Negative result: barely informative: a negative result changes little.
Source
Martin HD, Kivlan BR, Palmer IJ, Martin RL. Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for sciatic nerve entrapment in the gluteal region. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014;22(4):882–888. Journal article (DOI) · single study
Figures as they will appear in Rule It In, Rule It Out (Trokos, forthcoming). If a newer or better study changes them, this page changes with the book. Figures last updated from the book on 2 October 2026.
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This page gives the published figures. Rule It In, Rule It Out adds how to do this test, what counts as positive, how to read the result, and, where studied, whether combining it with other tests helps.
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One study, one test, once a month
Rule It In is a free evidence letter for musculoskeletal clinicians: one recent study explained, one examination test with its real numbers. From Trokos, publisher of Rule It In, Rule It Out.