Standing, sitting, or lying supine
If you wish to palpate on the skin, provide a private room for assessment. The patient is asked if he/she is willing to lower his/her pants a few inches. While the skin can not be viewed with clothes covering the area, the structure usually can be palpated over clothing.
Anterior to the patient.
The posture of your body can be evaluated more accurately if you lower your pants a few inches (and demonstrate the level). Would you feel comfortable doing this? (If standing), please take about 10 steps in place and then stand as you usually stand. (If sitting), sit as you usually do. Please place your hands on opposite shoulders or across your chest (or demonstrate). May I touch the front of your hip bones? (or point to the demonstrated area).
Guide the patient to drape and then take steps in place if standing or sit in the usual posture if sitting and place the patientís hands out of the way and on the opposite shoulder or across the chest. Place your hand held flat across the front of the pelvic bones. By doing this, the prominent ASISs can be palpated with minimal ìpokingî and in less time and with less possibility of eliciting a tickling response. Sense the location of each protruding ASIS across your hand and then place your thumb on the most prominent aspect of each ASIS.
If this palpation is used to assess lower limb length or pelvic symmetry/obliquity, compare height of thumb levels as the thumbs are held equally extended and parallel to the floor. Evaluate the ASIS levels at eye level.
If this palpation is used to assess lower limb length or pelvic symmetry/obliquity, compare height of thumb levels as the thumbs are held equally extended and parallel to the floor. Evaluate the ASIS levels at eye level.
VH - ASIS