Abstract
Background: The innominate angle is defined as the angle at which the hip bone is rotated on the sacrum. During gait, sitting or standing in a flexed position, the innominate bones rotate anteriorly and posteriorly on the sacrum. If the sacroiliac joint is in a state of dysfunction, it can be described as hypomobile or restricted in motion (Grgić, 2005). It is noted that a chiropractic manipulation, specific to the sacroiliac joint, is able to restore mobility (Cooperstein, 2010; Bergmann and Peterson, 2011). Thereby, chiropractic manipulation has an immediate effect on the innominate angle (Cibilka et al., 1988; Craig and Moodley, 2015). Aim: The aim of the study was to ascertain whether chiropractic manipulative therapy changes the innominate angle, beyond the immediate effects of the sacroiliac joint manipulation. Method: In this study, twenty-five female (Female group) and twenty-five male (Male group) participants (N=50) between 18 and 40 years of age were chosen to participate in the study. Participants had to meet the inclusion criteria (no lower back pain and sacroiliac dysfunction). All participants received chiropractic manipulation, with each participant’s pre-manipulation readings as baseline. Participants were assessed for sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Those who met the inclusion criteria underwent a detailed history, physical and lumbar regional examination on the initial consultation. Pre-manipulation objective measurements were acquired using the PALM PALpation Meter. Participants were seen three times over a period of 48 hours. This included two visits on the first day: the initial consultation including treatment, a follow up visit an hour later, and a third visit 48 hours after treatment. At the first consultation, the participant was required to read and sign the information form (Appendix H) and consent form (Appendix I). During this consultation, the researcher explained the procedure to the participant and the participant’s questions were answered. vii Once the consent forms were signed, participants received a once-off treatment, with follow up consultations, which included collection of objective measurements of the innominate angles using the PALM PALpation Meter device. Participants received chiropractic manipulative therapy to the sacroiliac joint, and dysfunction was determined by motion palpation tests performed by the researcher. Post-manipulation objective measurements of the innominate angles were taken an hour after treatment and again 48 hours later using the PALM PALpation Meter. Participants were required to remain on campus for the hour post-treatment while continuing their regular daily activities. The participants were required to return for another follow up visit 48 hours after the initial visit but were reminded to not add physical stress on their bodies during the 48 hours of the study. Results: Clinically significant results were noted in the Female group and the Male group over the course of the study with both groups showing a change in the innominate angle at 48 hours and neither one showing superiority over the other. The results of this study show that a specific chiropractic manipulation does result in a long term change in the angle of the innominate bone. The objective results show that there was a statistically significant change in angle over the 48 hour period. The Female group showed a 38.34% statistically significant (p=0.000) change in angle on the restricted side and 13.16% on the non-restricted side. The Male group showed a 38.34% statistically significant (p=0.000) change in angle on the restricted side and 16.33% on the non-restricted side. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.063). Conclusion: In the long term, chiropractic manipulation to the sacroiliac joint, can have beneficial effects on the innominate angle, in terms of restricted motion and joint dysfunction, over 48 hours.
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)