Measurement of Hip Range of Flexion-Extension and Straight-leg Raising

• Published in: Clinical orthopaedics and related research Vol. 466; no. 2; pp. 281 - 286
• Main Authors: Elson, R. A., Aspinall, G. R.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01.02.2008; Springer; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Cohort Studies; Conservative Orthopedics; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Female; Hip Joint - physiology; Humans; Joint Diseases - diagnosis; Joint Diseases - physiopathology; Knee; Leg; Lumbosacral Region; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Orthopedics; Orthopedics - methods; Physical Examination - methods; Physical Examination - standards; Range of Motion, Articular; Reference Values; Sports Medicine; Supine Position; Surgery; Surgical Orthopedics; Symposium: Papers Presented at the Annual Closed Meeting of the International Hip Society; Anatomic Position; Lumbar Lordosis; Anterior Superior Iliac Spine; Left Thigh; Thoracic Kyphosis; Extension; Orthopedics; Hip; Leg
• ISSN: 0009-921X; 1528-1132
• DOI: 10.1007/s11999-007-0073-7

We believe there is a degree of inaccuracy in the usual methods of evaluation of range at the hip in the sagittal plane, ie, flexion-extension. We describe a simple method of measuring more accurately the range of hip flexion-extension, presuming such ranges of motion should relate to the anatomic position of the pelvis. We used this technique for the measurement of flexion and extension of the left hip in a cohort of 200 healthy individuals; we found a wide range of both flexion (80°–140°) and extension (5°–40°). Especially with respect to extension, we believe more conventional methods underestimate the ranges of motion. As a corollary to this study, we suggest some reappraisal of the straight-leg–raising test by which pain from nerve root tension can be distinguished from a source of pain arising locally in intervertebral joints for mechanical reasons or from the hip itself. We recommend the method described as being useful in the consulting office.