Physical Examination of Hip

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To test for an external stapping hip, with the patient on their side (painful side up), you will grab the whole leg then flex and extend the leg while palpating the iliotibal tendon (near the greater trochanter) and feeling for a popping or snapping that may...

For severe symptoms, danger signs, pregnancy, child illness, or sudden worsening, seek urgent medical care.

বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

To test for an external stapping hip, with the patient on their side (painful side up), you will grab the whole leg then flex and extend the leg while palpating the iliotibal tendon (near the greater trochanter) and feeling for a popping or snapping that may be associated with pain. Examination of a painful hip is fairly concise and reliable at detecting the presence of a...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Introduction in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Inspection in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Palpation in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Range of Motion in simple medical language.
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  • New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
  • Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.
1

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To test for an external stapping hip, with the patient on their side (painful side up), you will grab the whole leg then flex and extend the leg while palpating the iliotibal tendon (near the greater trochanter) and feeling for a popping or snapping that may be associated with pain.

Examination of a painful hip is fairly concise and reliable at detecting the presence of a hip joint problem. Hip joint disorders often go undetected, leading to the development of secondary disorders. Using a thoughtful approach and methodical examination techniques, most hip joint problems can be detected and a proper treatment strategy can then be implemented based on an accurate diagnosis. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to present a systematic examination process that outlines important components in each of the evaluation areas of history and physical examination (including inspection, measurements, symptom localization, muscle strength, and special tests)

Introduction

  • Follows the IP-PASS examination methodology
    • Inspection
    • Palpation
    • Passive Range of Motion
    • Active Range of Motion
    • Strength & Neurovascular
    • Special Tests

Inspection

  • Skin
    • Color: allergy, infection, or inflammation. সহজ বাংলা: চামড়া লাল হয়ে যাওয়া।" data-rx-term="erythema" data-rx-definition="Erythema means skin redness, often from irritation, allergy, infection, or inflammation. সহজ বাংলা: চামড়া লাল হয়ে যাওয়া।">erythema, ecchymosis, white, black
    • Trophic changes (altered hair growth, sweat production)
    • Scars
    • Swelling
    • Muscle tone: atrophy, hypertrophy
    • Deformity: asymmetry, rotation, amputation
  • Areas of emphasis for back exam
    • Resting position of hip/ leg (internal/ external rotation)
    • Leg length discrepency

Palpation

  • Palpate for
    • Effusion
    • Clicking
    • Snapping
    • Crepitus
    • pain when an area is touched or pressed. সহজ বাংলা: চাপ দিলে ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="tenderness" data-rx-definition="Tenderness means pain when an area is touched or pressed. সহজ বাংলা: চাপ দিলে ব্যথা।">Tenderness
    • Temperature
    • Masses
  • Areas of Emphasis
    • Greater Trochanter
    • Piriformis muscle
    • Ischial Tuberosity (if appropriate)
    • Pubic symphysis (if appropriate)
    • Iliopsoas bursa

Range of Motion

  • Hip
    • Flexion: 120
    • Extension: 45
    • Abduction: 40
    • Adduction: 25
    • Internal Rotation: 45
    • External Rotation: 45

Strength

  • Back
    • Extension: Erector Spinae Muscles, Multifidus
    • Lateral Flexion (side bending): Erector Spinae Muscles, Quadratus Lumborum
  • Rotation: Multifidus
    • Flexion: Rectus Abdominis, Internal Obliques, External Obliques
  • Hip
    • Hip Flexion (L2, L3): Iliopsoas
    • Hip Adduction (L2, L3): Gracilis, Obturator Externus, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Longus and Adductor Magnus
    • Hip Extension (L5): Gluteus Maximus, Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus, Adductor Magnus
    • Hip Abduction (L5): Gluteus Medius, Gluteus Minimus, Tensor Fasciae Latae
  • Knee
    • Knee Extension (L3, L4): Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis, Vastus Intermedius
    • Knee Flexion: Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus, Gracilis, Sartorius, Gastrocnemius, Popliteus
  • Ankle
    • Dorsiflexion (L4, L5): Tibialis Anterior
    • Plantarflexion (S1): Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Peroneal Muscles
    • Eversion (S1): Peroneal Muscles
    • Inversion (L5): Tibialis Posterior
  • Foot
    • Toe Dorsiflexion (L5): Extensor Hallucis Longus, Extensor Digitorum Longus
    • Toe Plantarflexion (S2): Flexor Hallucis Longus, Flexor Digitorum Longus

Neurovascular

  • Sensory Nerves /Dermatomes
    • L1: Iliac crest, groin
    • L2, L3: Anterior and inner thigh
    • L4: Lateral thigh, anterior knee, medial leg
    • L5: Lateral leg, dorsal foot
    • S1: Posterior Leg
    • S2: Plantar foot
    • S3, S4: Perianal
  • Reflexes
    • Commonly Used
      • Patellar (L3, L4)
      • Achilles (S1, S2)
    • Uncommonly Used
      • Medial Hamstring (L5, S1)
      • Lateral Hamstring (S1, S2)
      • Posterior Tibial (L4, L5)
      • Cremasteric (L1, L2)
      • Anal wink/ bulbocavernous (S2)
  • Myotomes
    • L2: Hip Adduction, Hip Flexion
    • L3: Knee Extension, Hip Adduction, Hip Flexion
    • L4: Knee Extension, Dorsiflexion
    • L5: Hip Abduction, Hip Extension, Toe Dorsiflexion, Foot Inversion, Dorsiflexion
    • S1 Foot Version, Plantarflexion
    • S2: Toe Plantar Flexion
    • S3: Bowel, bladder function
    • S4: Bowel, bladder function
  • Vascular
    • Femoral Artery
    • Popliteal Artery
    • Dorsalis Pedis Artery
    • Posterior Tibial Artery

Special Tests

  • General Hip Joint Pathology (OA, Labrum, FAI, AVN, etC)
    • FABER Test
    • FADIR Test
    • Stinchfield Test
    • Flexion Internal Rotation Test
    • IROP Test (Internal rotation over pressure)
    • Log Roll Test
    • Axial Distraction Test
    • Scour Test
  • Hamstring tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।" data-rx-term="strain" data-rx-definition="A strain is injury to a muscle or tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।">Strain
    • Puranen Orava Test
    • Bent Knee Stretch Test
    • Modified Bent Knee Stretch Test
  • Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy
    • Puranen Orava Test
    • Bent Knee Stretch Test
    • Modified Bent Knee Stretch Test
  • Adductor Tendonitis
    • Puranen Orava Test
    • Bent Knee Stretch Test
    • Modified Bent Knee Stretch Test
  • Avascular Necrosis of the Hip
    • FADIR Test
    • FABER Test
  • Hip pain and stiffness. সহজ বাংলা: বয়স/ক্ষয়ের কারণে জয়েন্টের ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="osteoarthritis" data-rx-definition="Osteoarthritis is wear-and-tear joint disease causing pain and stiffness. সহজ বাংলা: বয়স/ক্ষয়ের কারণে জয়েন্টের ব্যথা।">Osteoarthritis
    • FADIR Test
    • FABER Test
  • Femoroacetabular Impingement
    • FADIR Test
    • FABER Test
    • C Sign
    • Posterior Rim Impingement Test
    • Dynamic Internal Rotatory Impingement Test
    • Dynamic External Rotatory Impingement Test
  • Piriformis Syndrome
    • FADIR Test
    • Thomas Test
    • Beatty Test
    • Active Piriformis Test
    • Pace Test
    • Straight Leg Raise Test
    • Seated Piriformis Stretch Test
    • Freibergs Sign
    • Passive Piriformis Stretch Test
  • Hip Flexor Tendonitis (including Tightness, Contracture)
    • Thomas Test
    • Snapping Hip Sign
    • Modified Thomas Test
    • Pelvifemoral Angle
    • Elys Test
    • Rectus Femoris Contracture Test
    • Prone Hip Extension Test
  • Rectus Femoris Contracture or Tightness
    • Rectus Femoris Contracture Test
    • Elys Test
  • Hip Extensor Tightness or Contracture
    • Knee Extension Angle
  • Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
    • Single Leg Stance Test
    • Jump Sign
    • FABER Test
    • Ober Test
    • Resisted External Derotation Test
    • Passive Adduction With Resisted Abduction
    • Resisted Internal Rotation
  • Ischial Bursitis
    • FABER Test
    • Straight Leg Raise Test
  • Acetabular Labrum Tear
    • Anterior Hip Impingement Test
    • Posterior Hip Impingement Test
    • FABER Test
    • Resisted Straight Leg Raise Test
    • Log Roll Test
    • Scour Test
    • Anterior Labrum Test
    • Posterior Labrum Test
  • Meralgia Paresthetica
    • Pelvic Compression Test
    • Neurodynamic Testing
    • Tinels Sign
  • Snapping Hip Syndrome
    • Ober Test
    • FADIR Test
    • FABER Test
    • Thomas Test
  • Femoral Neck Stress Fracture
    • Fulcrum Test
    • Hop Test
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Which doctor may help?

Orthopedic doctor, rheumatologist, or physiotherapist depending on cause.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write which joints hurt, swelling, morning stiffness duration, fever, injury, and walking difficulty.
  • Bring X-ray, uric acid, ESR/CRP, rheumatoid factor, or previous reports if available.

Questions to ask

  • Is this injury, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, infection, or another cause?
  • Which exercises, supports, or lifestyle changes are safe?
  • Do I need blood tests or X-ray?

Tests to discuss

  • Joint examination and range of motion
  • X-ray when chronic arthritis or injury is suspected
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  • Do not ignore hot swollen joint with fever.
  • Avoid repeated steroid injections/tablets without a clear diagnosis and follow-up.

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Safe first steps

  • Avoid heavy lifting, sudden bending, and prolonged bed rest.
  • Use comfortable posture and gentle movement as tolerated.
  • Discuss physiotherapy, X-ray, or MRI only when clinically needed.

OTC medicine safety

  • For mild back pain, pain-relief medicine may be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
  • Avoid repeated painkiller use if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcer, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Back pain with leg weakness, numbness around private area, loss of urine/stool control, fever, cancer history, or major injury needs urgent care.
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Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
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Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

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Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
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  • Back pain after major injury, fever, unexplained weight loss, cancer history, or severe night pain
Doctor / service to discuss: Orthopedic/spine specialist, physical medicine doctor, physiotherapist under guidance, or qualified clinician.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Discuss neurological examination first. X-ray or MRI may be needed only when red flags, injury, nerve weakness, or persistent severe symptoms are present.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.
  • Avoid forceful massage or bone-setting when there is weakness, injury, fever, or nerve symptoms.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

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