Table 2.

Pearls and Pitfalls of Physical Examination of the Hip

Pearls	Pitfalls
• Slight abduction while internally rotating during anterior impingement testing in the supine position will fully engage the cam component of FAI on the anterior labrum	• Focusing on intra-articular causes of hip pain can often mask extra-articular conditions
• The dial test is a crucial component of the examination to identify capsular laxity and microinstability	• Pain with palpation over the greater trochanter is not always bursitis, and can be a result of intra-articular pathology or a gluteus medius tear
• The FABER distance should be measured with slight pressure placed on the inner thigh to distinguish guarding from true hip capture	• Do not assume that radiating pain is radicular. Flexor irritation and intra-articular pathology can result in radiating pain that can extend distally
• In a patient with previous repair and suspected re-tear on MRI, in-line traction on the effected leg with the pelvis stabilized can reveal an audible click and confirm reinjury
• Quantitative strength assessment is an objective measure that can help document progress before and after surgery
• Functional testing may be performed with the Hip Sport Test. This is a timed test performed at our institution to assess the patients’ ability to perform repetitive single knee bends and forward box lunges, as well as both lateral and diagonal agility drills.

FABER, flexed abducted and externally rotated position; FAI, femoroacetabular impingement; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.