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440 Therapeutic Exercise: Moving Toward Function

TABLE 20-5 Hip Arthrokinetic Tests of Stability

TEST INDICATION DESCRIPTION

Proprioception/ Tests integrated neuromuscular Patient standing in front of plumb line, shifts weight to stand arthrokinetic stability function on one leg with eyes closed. Examiner observes the degree of lateral shift of the center of gravity from the plumb line. Bilateral comparison is made. Torque test Global tests of passive stability Patient in supine, ipsilateral femur is extended until anterior and pain provocation. Intends rotation of the inominate begins. The femur is medially to stress all the ligaments rotated to end range. Apply a slow steady posterolateral simultaneously. force along the line of the neck of the femur.* Inferior band of the Differentiates inferior band of If passive femoral extension elicits pain, this ligament may be iliofemoral ligament iliofemoral ligament the etiologic factor. Iliotrochanteric band of Differentiates iliofemoral Patient is positioned as in the torque test, but the femur is the iliofemoral ligament ligament adducted and laterally rotated. The same force is applied as in the torque test.** Pubofemoral ligament Differentiates the pubofemoral Patient is positioned as in the torque test, but the femur is ligament abducted and fully laterally rotated. The same force is applied as in the torque test.** Ischiofemoral ligament Differentiates the ischiofemoral With the patient in supine, the ipsilateral femur is slightly ligament extended, abducted, and fully medially rotated. The same force is applied as in the torque test.**

* If this test is painless, the subsequent differentiating tests are not required. ** If pain is elicited, this ligament may be an etiological factor. Adapted from Lee D. The Pelvic Girdle. Churchill Livingstone, 1999; p. 103–104.

Hall & Brody: Therapeutic Exercise: Moving Toward Function, 2nd Edition © 2005, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins