Muscle Length Tests

Question 1

What is the Thomas test used for? Testing position? Testing motion?Positive when?

Answer 1

• Tests the length of hip flexors
• Assist the individual as they move into supine and flex the hips by bringing the knees toward the chest
  -Extend the hip being tested by slowly lowering the thigh toward the examining table
• Negative: hip is able to extend to 10 degrees (thigh is flat on table) while knee remains in 80 degrees of flexion–>Iliopsoas and rectus femoris are of normal length
  -Positive: Thigh does not lie flat on table; Tight iliopsoas when thigh is above the table; Tight ITB and TFL when leg is abd during test
  -Positive–> measure ROM w/fulcrum: lateral aspect of hip joint, SA: lateral midline of pelvis (greater troch); MA: lateral midline of the femur (lateral epicondyle)

Question 2

How to determine which muscles are short during Thomas test?

Answer 2

-Modified test w/ knee extended when LE is lowered toward table
- If thigh on table, then rectus femoris is short and iliopsoas, anterior joint capsule, and iliofemoral and ischiofemoral ligaments are of normal length

Question 3

Straight leg raise (SLR) test purpose? Testing position? Testing motion?

Answer 3

-To assess length of hamstring
-Supine; knees extended and hips neutral
-Lift LE off table; keep knee in full ext and ends when resistance is felt from tension in posterior thigh
-Negative if hips are passively flexed to 70-80 degrees w/ knee in ext
-Positive–> measure ROM w/ goni with fulcrum at greater trochanter, SA: lateral midline of pelvis, MA: lateral midline of femur if less than 70 degrees of hip flexion

Note: flexing knee puts H/S on slack; So, if hip flexion does not increase w/ knee flexed, then one joint muscles that extend the hip (glute max) or inert hip joint structures could be restricting the motion

Question 4

What is the purpose of Ober test? Testing position? Motion? Interpretation of results?

Answer 4

-Test the length of the TFL & IT band
-Sidelying; stabilize pelvis with one hand, and see if pt’s top leg can go past midline/horizontal
-Flex hip and knee to 90 degrees, move hip into abd & extension
-Positive–> measure ROM w/ fulcrum over the ASIS, SA: between two ASIS, MA: anterior midline of the femur (use midline of patella for reference)
-Negative: if thigh drops below horizontal
-Positive: thigh remains above horizontal in hip abduction; TFL, ITB may be short

Question 5

What is the Thomas test? Describe the process and outcomes

Answer 5

-Tests hip flexors, ITB, ilioposas, and Quad
-Pt at bottom edge of table, DKTC, holds one knee and slowly drops the opposite
-If knee isn’t perpendicular to floor then tight hip flexors
-Tight iliopsoas–> thigh above table
-tight ITB and TFL–> leg is abd

Question 5

What is the Obers test? Describe the process?

Answer 5

-Test ITB tightness
Pt sidelying, stabilize the pelvis, and see if pt’s top leg can go past the midline/horizontal

Question 6

What is the H/S test? Describe the process?

Answer 6

-Pt lies supine and try to raise one leg as high as tolerated

OR

-Pt lies in hook lying, try to straighten one leg as tolerated
-Normal is 90 degrees

Question 7

What is FABERS?

Answer 7

-A special test of combined hip joint movements
-Flexion, ABD, ER
-Pain or limitations indicate capsular restriction

Question 8

What is FADIRS?

Answer 8

-Special test of combined hip joint movements
-Flexion, ADD, IR
-Pain or limitation indicate femoral acetabular impingement