Hip Tests

Question 1

procedure for actual leg length

Answer 1

pt lies supine, Dr measures from ASIS to medial malleolus

Question 2

purpose of actual leg length

Answer 2

looking for bone deficiency

Question 3

findings of actual leg length

Answer 3

there’s a difference of more than 6 mm

Question 4

procedure for apparent leg length

Answer 4

pt lies supine, Dr measures from umbilicus to medial malleolus

Question 5

purpose of apparent leg length

Answer 5

looking for spinal or pelvic subluxation

Question 6

findings of apparent leg length

Answer 6

there’s a difference of more than 6 mm

Question 7

procedure for Allis’ sign (Galeazzi’s sign)

Answer 7

pt lies supine with knees and hips flexed and feet flat on table; Dr stands at foot of table and observes knees for height difference; then Dr stands at side of table and observes if one knee is more anterior than the other

Question 8

purpose of Allis’ sign (Galeazzi’s sign)

Answer 8

comparing one knee to the other

Question 9

findings of Allis’ sign (Galeazzi’s sign)

Answer 9

looking for ipsilateral femoral leg discrepancy

Question 10

procedure for Anvil test

Answer 10

pt lies supine, Dr stands at foot of table, elevates a straight leg and hits bottom of heel with clenched fist

Question 11

purpose of Anvil test

Answer 11

if there’s heel pain: could be calcaneous, tibia, fibula fracture
if there’s hip pain: could be arthritis, infection, femoral neck fracture

Question 12

findings of Anvil test

Answer 12

pain from heel to acetabulum

Question 13

procedure for Gauvain’s sign

Answer 13

pt lies with affected side up, Dr places one hand on abdominal muscles and other hand above ankle, then abducts the leg and internally and externally rotates the thigh

Question 14

purpose of Gauvain’s sign

Answer 14

looking for AVN, infection, fracture, or gout

Question 15

findings of Gauvain’s sign

Answer 15

contraction of ipsilateral abdominal muscles, hip pain, referred pain to groin or anterior thigh

Question 16

procedure for hip telescoping test

Answer 16

pt lies supine and Dr passively flexes hip and knee to 90 degrees on affected side; Dr places one hand on calf and thigh and other hand by hip; then push and distract femur

Question 17

purpose of hip telescoping test

Answer 17

looking for hip dislocation or dysplasia

Question 18

findings of hip telescoping test

Answer 18

excess joint play

Question 19

procedure for Patrick’s test (Patrick-Fabere)

Answer 19

pt lies supine, Dr stands on unaffected side and pt crosses leg into figure 4 position; Dr stabilizes opposite ASIS and applies pressure on knee of affected side

Question 20

purpose of Patrick’s test (Patrick-Fabere)

Answer 20

looking for hip pathology

Question 21

findings of Patrick’s test (Patrick-Fabere)

Answer 21

pain in hip or unable to perform

Question 22

procedure for Ober’s test

Answer 22

pt lies affected side up, Dr stands behind pt and stabilizes pelvis. Dr uses other hand to abduct and extend thigh and hip. then Dr slides hand from knee to ankle and allow knee to adduct

Question 23

findings of Ober’s test

Answer 23

affected thigh remains adducted and may be painful

Question 24

procedure for Thomas test

Answer 24

pt lies supine and actively pulls unaffected knee to chest and keeps other leg straight

Question 25

purpose of Thomas test

Answer 25

looking for contraction of iliopsoas on affected side

Question 26

findings of Thomas test

Answer 26

lumbar spin maintains lordosis or pt is unable to keep affected thigh flat

Question 27

procedure for Trendelenburg’s test

Answer 27

pt stands on affected foot and raises unaffected foot off ground; Dr stands behind pt and observes for pelvic unleveling

Question 28

purpose of Trendelenburg’s test

Answer 28

looking for paralysis or weakness of hip abductors on affected side

Question 29

findings of Trendelenburg’s test

Answer 29

high iliac crest on supported leg and low iliac crest on lifted leg

Question 30

procedure for Ortolani’s test

Answer 30

infant lies supine; Dr grasps both thighs at level of lesser trochanter then flexes and abducts thighs bilaterally

Question 31

purpose of Ortolani’s test

Answer 31

looking for femoral dislocation or instability

Question 32

findings of Ortolani’s test

Answer 32

palpable click