Hip - Special Test Flashcards
(11 cards)
Patrick’s / FABER Test
purpose: Hip or SI joint dysfunction
perform: Patient supine; place foot of tested leg on opposite knee (figure 4). Examiner gently presses down on bent knee and opposite ASIS.
positive: Pain in groin = hip; pain in posterior = SI joint
negative test is indicated by the test leg’s knee falling to the table or at least being parallel with the
opposite leg.
Scouring / Grind Test
purpose: Intra-articular hip pathology (e.g., OA, labrum)
perform: Patient supine; examiner flexes and adducts hip to 90°, applies axial load while moving femur in arc motion.
positive: Pain, catching, or grinding = positive
Trendelenburg Sign
purpose: Gluteus medius weakness or unstable hip joint
perform: Patient standing on one leg for 30 sec. Examiner observes pelvis alignment.
positive: Contralateral hip drop = positive
Thomas Test
purpose: Hip flexor tightness (iliopsoas, rectus femoris)
perform: Patient supine; brings one knee to chest while other leg stays relaxed on table.
positive: Opposite thigh lifts off table = iliopsoas tightness; knee extension = rectus femoris tightness
Ober’s Test
purpose: IT band/TFL tightness
perform: Patient side-lying, bottom leg flexed. Examiner extends and abducts top leg, then slowly lowers it into adduction.
positive: Inability of leg to drop to table = positive
Ely’s Test
purpose: Rectus femoris tightness
perform: Patient prone; examiner passively flexes knee.
positive: Hip on same side rises off table = tight rectus femoris
90-90 Straight Leg Raise
purpose: Hamstring tightness
perform: Patient supine; hip and knee at 90°, patient attempts to extend knee.
positive: Knee lacking 20° or more from full extension = tight hamstrings
Tripod Sign
purpose: Hamstring tightness
perform: Patient seated with knees at 90°. Examiner passively extends one knee.
positive: Leaning backward (spine extension) = tight hamstrings
Piriformis Test
purpose: Piriformis syndrome / sciatic nerve compression
perform: Patient side-lying with test leg on top. Hip flexed to 60°, examiner stabilizes pelvis and applies downward pressure on knee.
positive: Pain in buttock or sciatic distribution = positive
Leg Length Discrepancy
purpose: Structural leg length difference
perform: Patient supine; measure from ASIS to medial malleolus bilaterally.
positive: Asymmetry in measurement = leg length discrepancy
difference of 1 to 1.3 cm (0.5 to 1 inch) is considered norma
Craig’s Test
purpose: Femoral anteversion
perform: Patient prone with knee flexed to 90°. Examiner palpates greater trochanter while internally and externally rotating hip. Measure angle at neutral GT position.
positive: Normal anteversion ~8-15°; more = increased anteversion
