Hip Special Tests Flashcards
Ely’s test
Rectus Femoris Tightness
pt in prone, therapist passively flexes the pt’s knee.
Positive = spontaneous hip flexion occurring simultaneously with knee flexion
Ober’s test
TFL tightness
Pt in sidelying, therapist moves leg into hip extension and abduction and then attempts to slowly lower the test leg.
Piriformis test
Piriformis tightness or compression of sciatic nerve by piriformis
pt in sidelying with test leg positioned toward the ceiling and the hip flexed to 60 degrees. Therapist places one hand on the patient’s pelvis and the other hand on the patient’s knee and push to adduction.
Thomas test
Hip Flexion Contracture
Pt in supine with one knee pulled to chest to flatten lumbar spine.
Positive = contralateral hip rising from the table
Tripod sign
Hamstring tightness
pt sitting on table in dependent position, PT passively extends knee.
90-90 straight leg raise test
Hamstring tightness
Pt in supine. Hips at 90, extend knee as much as possible.
Positive = knee unable to surpass 20 degrees flexion
Barlow’s test
Hip dislocation
pt in supine with hips flexed to 90 degrees and the knees flexed. Therapist moves leg into adduction while applying forward pressure posterior to the greater trochanter.
Positive = clunk or click
Ortolani’s test
Hip dislocation
pt in supine with hips flexed to 90 degrees and the knees flexed. Therapist abducts the hips and applies pressure to greater trochanters until resistance is felt at 30 degrees.
Positive = click or clunk
Anterior labral tear test
Labral Tear
Hip in full flexion, lateral rotation and abduction, then move the hip into extension, medial rotation and adduction.
Positive = pain and/or clicking
Craig’s test
Anteversion Angle
pt in prone with test knee flexed to 90 degrees. Therapist medially and laterally rotates the hip until the greater trochanter is parallel with the table. The degree of femoral anteversion corresponds to the angle formed by the lower leg with the perpendicular axis of the table.
Normal Anteversion = 8-17 degrees
Patrick’s test (FABER test)
Iliopsoas, sacroiliac, or hip joint abnormalities
pt in supine, in hip flexion, abduction and ER onto opposite leg. therapist slowly lowers the test leg through abduction toward the table.
Positive = failure of test leg to abduct below the level of the opposite leg.
Quadrant Scouring test
Arthritis, Avascular necrosis, osteochondral defect
Pt in supine with hip and knee in flexion. PT applies downward compression on femur and circumducts leg.
Positive = grinding, catching, or crepitation
Trendelenburg Test
Glute med weakness
Patient in standing and asked to stand on one leg for 10 seconds.
Positive = drop of the pelvis on the unsupported side
