Physical Exam

Hip Strength

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

Test the major hip movements against resistance, comparing sides: resisted flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and internal and external rotation. Stabilize the pelvis and apply steady resistance, grading the strength and noting any pain or give-way weakness.

How to Interpret

Gluteal Tendinopathy

Lateral hip pain reproduced on the resisted external-derotation test — from a supine position with the hip and knee flexed and the hip passively rotated outward, the patient is asked to bring the leg back to neutral against the examiner's resistance

Rule in

Very helpful

Rule out

Helpful

Evidence:Limited

Pain (with or without weakness) reproduced over the lateral hip on resisted hip abduction, tested with the patient side-lying or supine while the examiner resists the patient pushing the leg outward

Rule in

—

Rule out

Somewhat helpful

Evidence:Strong

References

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Lequesne M, Mathieu P, Vuillemin-Bodaghi V, Bard H, Djian P. Gluteal tendinopathy in refractory greater trochanter pain syndrome: diagnostic value of two clinical tests. Arthritis Rheum (Arthritis Care Res). 2008 Feb 15;59(2):241-246. doi:10.1002/art.23354. PMID 18240186.
Al Nezari NH, Schneiders AG, Hendrick PA. Neurological examination of the peripheral nervous system to diagnose lumbar spinal disc herniation with suspected radiculopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spine J. 2013 Jun;13(6):657-674. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2013.02.007. PMID 23499340.
Bohan A, Peter JB. Polymyositis and dermatomyositis (first of two parts). N Engl J Med. 1975 Feb 13;292(7):344-347. doi:10.1056/NEJM197502132920706. PMID 1090839. (Second of two parts: N Engl J Med. 1975 Feb 20;292(8):403-407. doi:10.1056/NEJM197502202920807. PMID 1089199.)
Hölmich P, Hölmich LR, Bjerg AM. Clinical examination of athletes with groin pain: an intraobserver and interobserver reliability study. Br J Sports Med. 2004 Aug;38(4):446-451. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2003.004754. PMID 15273182.
Bickley LS, Szilagyi PG, Hoffman RM, Soriano RP. Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
Swartz MH. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.