What type of injury does pain in Mennell's Steps 2, 3, and 4 suggest?

• A. Hip fracture
• B. Knee ligament injury
• C. Sacroiliac sprain or subluxation
• D. Calf muscle strain

Answer: (C)

Mennell’s Steps 2, 3, and 4 focus on assessing the sacroiliac joint and its related structures. When pain is elicited during these steps, it typically indicates an issue with the sacroiliac joint, which may be due to sprain or subluxation. This joint can become dysfunctional or inflamed, leading to localized pain that reflects the involvement of the surrounding structures as well.

While other injuries such as hip fractures, knee ligament injuries, and calf muscle strains may present with pain in the lower extremity, they are associated with different types of assessments and testing patterns. For instance, a hip fracture would likely present with specific symptoms such as an inability to bear weight or extreme localized pain in the hip region, rather than the specific movement patterns associated with the sacroiliac joint assessment. Similarly, knee ligament injuries would manifest through evaluations focused more on joint stability and range of motion in the knee area, not necessarily correlating with the findings from Mennell’s approach.

The specific pain experienced during these steps is indicative of mechanical issues at the sacroiliac joint rather than a more distal or different joint injury, thereby confirming that the correct interpretation zeroes in on sacroiliac sprain or