Physical examination maneuver
Physical Exam
Hip Passive Range of Motion
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Video coming September 2026
How to Perform
With the patient supine and relaxed, passively flex each hip by bringing the thigh toward the chest with the knee flexed. Return the leg to neutral and, with the knee extended, move the hip into abduction and across the midline over the opposite leg for adduction. To assess internal and external rotation, flex the hip and knee to 90° and move the lower leg outward and inward, respectively. Then turn the patient prone and passively extend each hip by lifting the thigh off the table. In each direction, continue to the end of the passive range. Compare sides and note any pain or restriction.
How to Interpret
Showing 4 of 5 findings
Hip Osteoarthritis
Abduction or adduction causes groin pain
Rule in
Helpful
Rule out
Not helpful
Evidence:Limited
Reduced range of passive hip adduction
Rule in
Somewhat helpful
Rule out
Somewhat helpful
Evidence:Limited
Reduced range of passive hip internal rotation
Rule in
Somewhat helpfulDerived CI
Rule out
Somewhat helpfulDerived CI
Evidence:Strong
Intra-articular Hip Pathology
Groin pain on passive flexion-abduction-external rotation (FABER / Patrick test)
Rule in
Not helpfulDerived CI
Rule out
Not helpfulWide CI
Evidence:Limited