Execution
- 1Position the patient so the hip can be tested in neutral or in a symptom-relevant position.
- 2Ask the patient to hold the limb still while resisting hip flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation.
- 3Keep the pelvis stable and prevents trunk or knee substitution.
- 4Record pain, weakness, inhibition, cramping, or reproduction of the patient’s familiar symptoms.
- 5Repeat selected contractions in lengthened or shortened positions when a specific muscle or tendon is suspected.
Positive outcome
Abnormal findings: pain, weakness, inhibition, cramping, or reproduction of familiar symptoms with contraction.
Interpretation- Pain with contraction: contractile-tissue involvement
- Weakness without pain: neurological deficit, major muscle-tendon injury, inhibition, or poor motor control
- Pain location helps differentiate hip flexor, adductor, abductor, extensor, or deep rotator involvement
Many hip muscles cross more than one joint or share actions, so single resisted directions are not structure-specific. The result is most meaningful when it matches palpation, length testing, functional loading, and history.
CommentResisted isometric testing is a contractile-tissue screen rather than a diagnostic accuracy test. Because many hip muscles cross more than one joint or share actions, single resisted directions are not structure-specific. The result is most meaningful when it matches palpation, length testing, functional loading, and the patient’s history.
Low Clinical Value