Hip and thigh muscle tests

Question 1

Gluteus maximus

Answer 1

Prone
Knee flexed
Stabilise on lumbosacral/SI region
Push above the knee into the table

Question 2

Piriformis

Answer 2

Prone/seated
Stabilise lateral knee to prevent abduction
Contact the distal medial leg and push out

Question 3

Glute medius

Answer 3

Supine/sidelying
Leg straight
Slight hip extension
Stabilise on other ankle/leg
Push above the lateral ankle into the table

Question 4

TFL

Answer 4

Supine
Leg straight
Hip abducted with internal rotation
Stabilise on the opposite leg that’s on the table
Push on the lateral malleolus

Question 5

Abdominals

Answer 5

Supine
Arms crossed on chest & legs straight
Try to push their chest back down to the table

Question 6

Psoas

Answer 6

Supine
Leg straight with slight flexion, abduction, and external rotation of the hip
Stabilise ASIS & anteromedial thigh

Question 7

Iliacus

Answer 7

Supine
Leg straight, external rotation & more flexion & abduction
Stabilise ASIS & anteromedial thigh

Question 8

Quadratus lumborum

Answer 8

Sidelying
Tested side on top
Abducted leg off the table

Question 9

Erector spinae

Answer 9

Prone
Patient’s hands on their buttocks
Stabilise pelvis against table & apply pressure down in mid thoracics

Question 10

Hip adductors

Answer 10

Supine
Both legs are taken to the side being tested
Stabilise non-test leg
Push leg out at proximal medial ankle

Question 11

Hip flexors

Answer 11

Pectineus
Rectus femoris: Seated/supine, knee & hip flexed 90*, stabilise under the ankle, push down on top of the knee
Sartorius: Supine, hip & knee flexed, minimal abduction & external rotation of the hip, stabilise the medial ankle, push from anterolateral knee