Hip Assessment Sports Med 2

What are your symptoms –Weakness, disability, pain –Can they move their leg in a circle? Describe pain –Hip pain is felt mainly in the groin and medial frontal part of the thigh, can also refer to the knee –Is it radiating, tingly, dull, achy? When does the activity occur? How old is the athlete? History

Observation Should observe while standing in all directions, standing on one leg, and walking Front view –Are the hips even? –A lateral tilted hip could mean a leg length discrepancy or muscle contraction on one side Side view –Abnormal tilt of the pelvis, anterior/posterior –Could indicate lordosis or flat back

Observation Lower limb alignment –Genu valgum (knocked knees) –Genu varum (bow legged) –Genu recurvatum (hyper-extended) –Patellar alignment Even PSIS –Could indicate a lateral shift of the pelvis Standing on one leg could produce hip pain, indicate pain in pubic symphisis, or abductor weakness Ambulation: the athlete should be observed while walking and sitting Walking will cause distortion

Bony Palpation Anterior –Anterior Superior iliac spine (ASIS) –Iliac crest –Greater trochanter –Pubic tubercle (we wont do this one!) Posterior –Posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) –Ischial tuberosity (we won’t do this one!) –Sacroiliac joint

Palpation Soft tissue: we won’t be doing these either! –Groin region –Femoral triangle –Sciatic nerve –Major muscles

Palpation Groin palpitations –Could be caused by Swollen lymph nodes, indicating infection Adductor muscle strain

Palpation Muscle Palpation: for pain swelling or fiber disruption –Iliopsoas –Sartorius –Rectus femoris at the hip joint –Gracilis –Pectineus –Adductors –Gluteals –Hamstrings