Execution
- 1Position the patient supine near the table edge if needed for hip extension.
- 2Start with the test hip in extension, adduction, and internal rotation.
- 3Move the hip toward flexion.
- 4Add abduction and external rotation through the movement arc.
- 5Monitor for posterior hip pain, groin pain, clicking, catching, or apprehension.
Positive outcome
Pain, clicking, catching, or apprehension during the manoeuvre is positive. Magee describes this as suggestive of posteroinferior labral tear or iliopsoas tendonitis depending on symptom location. Mechanical symptoms are more meaningful when they reproduce the patient’s complaint.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitzgerald (1995) | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Reiman et al. (2015) — systematic review | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
CommentPosterior labral tests are less commonly validated than anterior impingement-style tests. The test should be interpreted by pain location and symptom reproduction rather than the presence of nonspecific clicking. A positive result supports further intra-articular hip assessment rather than confirming a posterior tear alone.
Moderate Clinical Value