Hip Lecture

Question 1

Inspection of hip:

Answer 1

• Gait

- Iliac crests equal height

Question 2

What is a pelvic obliquity?

Answer 2

• Unequal iliac crests

- May indicate leg length discrepancy

Question 3

If leg length discrepancy suspected, what do you need to do?

Answer 3

Measure each leg length

• Pt lying down
• Measure from superior iliac spine across medial knee to medial malleolus

Question 4

Bony palpation of hip:

Answer 4

• ASIS
• Iliac crests
• Greater trochanters

Question 5

How can the pt facilitate palpation of the greater trochanter?

Answer 5

Internally rotate leg

Question 6

If you suspect trochanteric bursitis, what can you do to test for it?

Answer 6

• Move leg into abduction and ER with knee flexed

- Sometimes reproduces pain

Question 7

What are the groups of hip muscles?

Answer 7

Posterior extensors
Medial adductors
Lateral adductors
Anterior flexors

Question 8

Which muscles of the hip can be palpated?

Answer 8

Rectus femoris (flexor)
Gluteus medius (abductor)
Hamstrings (extensors)

Question 9

Which muscles are tested with flexion of the hip?

Answer 9

Iliopsoas

Rectus femoris

Question 10

Which muscles are tested with extension of the hip?

Answer 10

Gluteus maximus

Hamstrings

Question 11

Which muscles are tested with adduction of the hip?

Answer 11

Adductors longus, brevis, gracilis

Question 12

Which muscles are tested with abduction of the hip?

Answer 12

Gluteus medius and minimus

Question 13

How is the Thomas test performed?

Answer 13

• Pt lying down, examiner puts hand under lordotic curve of L spine
• Pt brings knee toward chest and holds it
• Examiner should feel curve flatten and contralateral hip should remain on table

Question 14

What does the Thomas test assess?

Answer 14

Determines presence of a flexion contracture of the hip (from loss of hip extension)

Question 15

Which hip is being tested in the Thomas test?

Answer 15

The contralateral hip (should remain on the table)

Question 16

How is the Thomas test used by PT?

Answer 16

Used to determine tightness of hip flexors