biostudies-literatureUnknown27(3)Ball AM<b>Objectives</b>: Prudent dry needling techniques are commonly practiced with the intent to avoid large neurovascular structures, thereby minimizing potential excessive bleeding and neural injury. Patient position is one factor thought to affect the size of the safe zone during dry needling of some muscles. This study aimed to compare the size of the needle safe zone of the iliacus muscle during two different patient positions using ultrasound imaging. <b>Methods</b>: The distance from the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) to the posterior pole of the femoral nerve was measured in 25 healthy participants (11 male, 14 female, mean age = 40) in both supine and sidelying positions using a Chison Eco1 musculoskeletal ultrasound unit. The average distance was calculated for each position anThe Journal of manual & manipulative therapy162-171https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6598541biostudies-literatureThe relative risk to the femoral nerve as a function of patient positioning: potential implications for trigger point dry needling of the iliacus muscle.PMC6598541Gaffney EEDommerholt JBall EEKoppenhaver SFreres WFinnegan MBron CBall AMMoore RMayoral Del Moral OfalseThe relative risk to the femoral nerve as a function of patient positioning: potential implications for trigger point dry needling of the iliacus muscle.<b>Objectives</b>: Prudent dry needling techniques are commonly practiced with the intent to avoid large neurovascular structures, thereby minimizing potential excessive bleeding and neural injury. Patient position is one factor thought to affect the size of the safe zone during dry needling of some muscles. This study aimed to compare the size of the needle safe zone of the iliacus muscle during two different patient positions using ultrasound imaging. <b>Methods</b>: The distance from the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) to the posterior pole of the femoral nerve was measured in 25 healthy participants (11 male, 14 female, mean age = 40) in both supine and sidelying positions using a Chison Eco1 musculoskeletal ultrasound unit. The average distance was calculated for each position an2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Jul2026-05-06T21:48:37.385Z2020-07-04T07:15:06ZS-EPMC65985413093532610.1080/10669817.2019.1568699