Lecture 6

The Hip

Anatomy Review

Hip Joint

- Multi-axial ball and socket synovial joint

- It has maximum stability because of the deep socket (acetabulum)for the insertion of the head of the femur

- Strong ligaments and capsule encase this joint

- Acetabulum is deepened by a labrium

Hip LigamentsIliofemoral

- Prevents excessive extension

- Strongest in body Ischiofemoral

- Tight in extensionPubofemoral

- Prevents excessive abduction and extension

All three limit MR

Hip jointResting position 30 degrees flexion30 degrees abduction and slight lateral rotation

Forces on the hip Standing 0.3 X BWStanding one leg 2.5 X BWWalking 1.3-5.8 X BWUpstairs 3 X BWRunning 4.5 X BW

Common problems - referred pain from back (lumbar

spine) or SI to hip

NervesMajority of nerve supply arises from the

Lumbar PlexusLumbar Plexus - formed from the first

four lumbar spinal nerves Largest branch is the Femoral nerve-

supplies to the muscles and skin of the anterior thigh

Another branch Obturator nerve which provides innervation to the adductor muscles

Sacral plexus - L4 through S4 spinal nerves

Sciatic nerve arise from the sacral plexusSciatic innervate the hamstrings

Rom of Hip / End FeelsFlexion/ ExtensionLR/MRAbduction / Adduction

Muscles?

Special Tests

Thomas TestHip flexorsHip flexion contractureAthlete is supine with knees hanging over

edge of tableAthlete brings knee up to chest , examiner

can help push up so it is tight to chestPositive test- if the hip flexor (iliopsoas) is

tight on the opposite side the upper leg will lift up off the table

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv4tYyRLXv8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDBtb_IIf_U&feature=related

Rectus Femoris contracture ( Kendall Test)

Same as above – make sure they are right on edge of table

Now when they pull the knee to the chest look at the angle of the knee

If negative the knee should hang at 90 degrees

positive test - if the leg straightens out

Slump TestMyofacial structures ( Dura) Athlete is seated with both legs hanging

over the edge of the table, tuck chin to chest and slump upper body forward

Examiner passively (or can be done actively by athlete) raises the leg to extension

Positive test- is pain ( limitations in Range)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGGgospax-A&feature=related

Patrick FABER testSI and General ROM of the hip

- athlete Supine

- foot on opposite knee

- leg lowered in to abduction and LR

- compare Left and right

- positive test- is a difference in ROM and pain

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_e-QqmBDJE

Tripod sign Hamstring contracture

- Athlete is seated with both legs hanging over the edge of the table

- Examiner passively raises the leg to extension

- Positive test - if the individual leans back to relieve the stress on the hamstrings

Trendelenburg signWeak Glut medius ( on stance side)

- athlete standing on one leg must be able to stabilize hip

- pelvis is level from left to right

- Positive test - if ASIS ( pelvis) drops on non-stance side

- Indicates a weakness or instability on stance side

Tests for leg length

- The leg is anatomically or functionally shorter

- Spine and pelvis (and others) will be affected due to kinetic chain

- May lead to scoliosis, pelvic rotations and neck issues

Anatomical or True Leg lengthTo test measure from ASIS to medial

malleolus (or lateral if muscle or fat get in way) heels approx 6 to 8 inches apart

Slight difference acceptable (1-1.3 cm considered normal)

If more than normal – measure tib and femur to see where difference is (can eyeball this

Side view and Front view

Functional or Apparent Leg LengthResults due to a compensation for a

change that may have occurred because of positioning rather than structure

Unilateral pronation – spinal scoliosis, pelvic rotations

Can measure from umbilicus to medial malleolus

The test is only meaningful if the test for true leg length in negative

Muscle testingPsoas and iliacusHip flexors

- Athlete is seated with knees flexed

- Hands on the edge of the table

- Athlete lifts the upper leg off the table and examiner applies pressure on anterior surface of thigh downwards

- Examiner stabilizes opposite side

- Positive test – pain and weakness

SartoriousHip flexor, abductor and lateral rotator

- Athlete is sitting or supine

- Athlete brings ankle to opposite knee

- Resistance applied to medial malleolus and to the lateral side of the thigh by examiner in an attempt to straighten the leg

- Positive test – pain and weakness

Gluteus MaximusHip extension

- Athlete is prone on table

- Knee is flexed

- Resistance is applied by examiner to the proximal knee (post thigh) in attempts to flex the hip

- Stabilize above the hip (low back )

- Gluts work best when knee is flexed

- Positive test – pain and weakness

Gluteus minimus and mediusAs a hip abductor

- Athlete is side lying with lower leg and hip flexed to 90 degrees

- Resistance is applied to the proximal knee on the lateral side of the thigh

- Movement should be without flexion or Lateral Rotator

- Pelvis is stabilized

- Positive test – pain and weakness

Gluteus minimus and mediusAs a Medial Rotator

- Athlete is supine or sitting

- Knee flexed over the edge of table

- Resistance is applied to the lateral malleolus pushing the leg medially

- Positive test – pain and weakness

AdductorsLongus, magnus, brevis, gracillis and

pectinus

- Athlete is side lying

- Non test limb is supported by the examiner

- Lower limb is the test limb

- Limb is adducted of the table and resistance is applied to the proximal knee joint medial thigh (pushing into abduction)

- Positive test – pain and weakness

Lateral RotatorsObturator Internus, Obturator Externus,

Superior and Inferior Gemellies and Piriformis

- Athlete is sitting with knee flexed over edge of table

- Resistance is applied to the distal leg on the medial malleolus

- Pushing lower leg laterally

- Positive test – pain and weakness

Sport Specific Functional Tests

walkinggoing up and down stairsrunning straight ahead , and variations squattingjumping