Hip examination

Question 1

What should be palpated during a hip exam?

Answer 1

Greater trochanter, ASIS, inguinal ligament and any other area of pain

Question 2

What are the movements of the hip?

Answer 2

Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal and external rotation.

Question 3

Describe how you would assess INTERNAL rotation of the hip

Answer 3

Hip and knee both flexed to 90 degrees then rotate the lower leg OUTWARDS

Question 4

What special test would you do if you suspected abductor weakness?

Answer 4

Trendelenburg Test.

Ask the patient to stand on their test leg and raise the other. The pelvis should remain level. If the pelvis drops down on the side that the leg is raised then this is a positive test.

Question 5

What does Thomas’ Test test for and how would you do it?

Answer 5

Fixed flexion deformity of the hip.

With the patient fully prone place your hand under the patient lumbar spine. Ask the patient to bring their non-test side knee to their chest. The test is positive if the thigh of their test leg raises off the couch.

Question 6

How would a leg that has a fractured neck of femur (#NoF) appear?

Answer 6

Shortened Externally rotated

Question 7

Which nerve or nerves are most likely to be affected by problems with the hip?

Answer 7

Sciatic and femoral

Question 8

Which range of movement is usually the first to be affected by OA hip and how can you test for it?

Answer 8

Extension. Thomas’ Test

Question 9

Identify the superficial trochanteric bursa in the image

Answer 9

Question 10

Identify the ASIS in the image

Answer 10

Question 11

Surface anatomy: Where would you expect to find the sacroiliac joints (SIJ)?

Answer 11

Question 12

What weakness is the Trendelenburg Gait most commonly associated with?

Answer 12

Abductor weakness