musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Evaluation of the Hip
Physical Examination of the Hip
Examination begins with gait evaluation. A limp is common among patients with significant hip arthritis and may be caused by any of the following: Pain Leg shortening Flexion contracture Muscle weakness Knee problems Loss of internal rotation (an early change in hip Osteoarthritis (OA) or any hip synovitis), flexion, extension, or abduction can usually be demonstrated. Placement of one hand on the patient’s iliac crest detects pelvic movement that might be mistaken for hip movement. Flexion contracture can be identified by attempting leg extension with the opposite hip maximally flexed to stabilize the pelvis. Tenderness over the femoral greater trochanter suggests bursitis (which is extra-articular) rather than an intra-articular disorder. Pain with passive range of motion (assessed by internal and external rotation with the patient supine and the hip and knee flexed to 90°) suggests intra-articular origin. However, patients may have simultaneous intra-articular and extra-articular disorders. 