The FAIR test for piriformis syndrome assesses what combination of hip movements?

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Multiple Choice

The FAIR test for piriformis syndrome assesses what combination of hip movements?

The test checks how the piriformis muscle and the sciatic nerve respond to a specific hip position that places the piriformis between its origin and the sciatic nerve. In this position the hip is flexed, adducted, and internally rotated. This combination tightens or compresses the piriformis against the sciatic nerve, so if the piriformis is irritated or tight, sciatic-type pain is reproduced. A positive result—pain or paresthesias in the buttock or along the sciatic distribution—suggests piriformis-related sciatic irritation. Other hip positions stress different structures (for example, some positions emphasize the hip joint or sacroiliac area), so they are less specific for piriformis syndrome.

The test checks how the piriformis muscle and the sciatic nerve respond to a specific hip position that places the piriformis between its origin and the sciatic nerve. In this position the hip is flexed, adducted, and internally rotated. This combination tightens or compresses the piriformis against the sciatic nerve, so if the piriformis is irritated or tight, sciatic-type pain is reproduced.

A positive result—pain or paresthesias in the buttock or along the sciatic distribution—suggests piriformis-related sciatic irritation. Other hip positions stress different structures (for example, some positions emphasize the hip joint or sacroiliac area), so they are less specific for piriformis syndrome.

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