Hip
Thomas test
- What you examine
- Shortening of the hip flexors.
- Procedure
- Supine at the edge of the table, one knee to the chest to flatten the lumbar lordosis. Let the other leg hang.
- Positive when
- The hanging thigh lifts off the table: the iliopsoas is short. If the knee stays extended, that points to the rectus femoris; if the leg drifts into abduction, to the iliotibial tract.
- What the test is worth
- Useful for distinguishing which of the three structures causes the restriction.
- Caution
- Check that the lumbar spine stays flat, otherwise you are measuring the back instead of the hip.
- Joint
- Hip joint
- Body region
- Hip