Execution
- 1Position the patient standing or supine so both hips and pelvis can be observed.
- 2Ask the patient to actively flex, extend, abduct, adduct, internally rotate, and externally rotate the hip.
- 3Observe pelvic substitution, lumbar movement, pain location, quality of movement, clicking, apprehension, and side-to-side difference.
- 4Compare the patient’s motion with expected ranges: flexion 110-120 degrees, extension 10-15 degrees, abduction 30-50 degrees, adduction about 30 degrees, external rotation 40-60 degrees, and internal rotation 30-40 degrees.
- 5Test the most painful or provocative direction last and record the comparable sign for later reassessment.
Positive outcome
Abnormal findings: pain, restriction, apprehension, clicking, locking, substitution, or side-to-side asymmetry.
Expected range- Flexion 110°–120°
- Extension 10°–15°
- Abduction 30°–50°
- Adduction ~30°
- External rotation 40°–60°
- Internal rotation 30°–40°
Flexion, abduction, and internal rotation are often the most limited movements in a capsular pattern. Hip AROM is strongly influenced by lumbar spine, pelvis, femoral version, pain inhibition, and patient effort, so use the result to choose more specific testing rather than to label pathology.
CommentMagee’s hip examination treats active movement as an essential early screen before passive movement and special tests. Hip AROM is strongly influenced by lumbar spine, pelvis, femoral version, pain inhibition, and patient effort. Use the result to choose more specific testing rather than to label pathology.
Low Clinical Value