Hip Special Tests

Question 1

Thomas Test tests for

Answer 1

Hip flexion contracture (most common contracture in the hip) – iliopsoas, RF, TFL/ITB
(-) sign: pt holds flexed hip against chest and straight leg remains on the exam table
(+) sign: pt’s straight leg raises off the table
-post thigh touches table with knee extended = shortness of 2 joint hip flexors
-post thigh does not touch table with knee extended = shortness of 1 and 2 joint hip flexors
post thigh does not touch table, knee can be flexed beyond 80deg = shortness of 1 joint hip flexors
-abduction of the thigh as the hip extends = shortness of TFL/ITB

Question 2

Ober’s Test

Answer 2

Testing the TFL or ITB for contracture

(+) test: leg remains abducted and cannot fall to the level of the table - indicating tightness of TFL or ITB

Question 3

Piriformis Test/FAIR

Answer 3

Tests for piriformis syndrome of siatic nerve impingement from a tight piriformis muscle
(+) sign: pain in muscle, buttock, or radiating down leg or limited ROM
-tight piriformis: pain likely in muscle region
-siatic nerve: buttock pain or siatic symptoms

Question 4

Ely’s test

Answer 4

Tightness if RF

(+) sign: flexion of hip on same side as knee is flexed

Question 5

Trendelenburg Sign

Answer 5

Assesses hip stability and glute med & abductor muscles

(+) sign: pelvis drops when pt stands on effected leg & stance leg adducted

Question 6

Bent Knee Fall out test

Answer 6

Tests for movement, flexibilty and muscle length of adductors
(+) sign: unable to dissacoriate hip from pelvic movement, raising the contralateral leg or cannot fall out more than 50-60 deg due to adductor tightness

Question 7

Patellar Public Percussion Test

Answer 7

used to assess for fracture of hip or femur

-(+) sign: diminished percussion on involved side

Question 8

Craig’s test

Answer 8

testing for antero femoral torsion or anteversion

(+): excessive anteverison; anyhing larger than 15deg

Question 9

Anterior labral tear test (FADDIR test)

Answer 9

• assessing for anterior and superior impingement syndrome

- (+) sign: reproduction of groin pain with possible clicking or catching

Question 10

Scour test

Answer 10

• tests for joint surface dysfunction - arthritic and labral pathology
• (+) test: abnormality in movement; clicking, clunking, rubbing, grinding, or limitation of movement

Question 11

Patrick Test (FABER test)

Answer 11

• joint pathology at hip OR SI joint

- (+) test: when test leg remains above opposite straight leg & provocation of symptoms at hip or SI joint

Question 12

Pediatric hip pathology tests

Answer 12

Barlow’s Test

Ortolani’s sign