1. Introduction
The hip examination is used to assess osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, fracture, avascular necrosis and referred pathology from the spine or knee.
2. Inspection and palpation
Inspect the patient standing and lying, paying attention to gait, leg length discrepancy, deformity, muscle wasting and scars. Palpate for tenderness over the greater trochanter and surrounding structures.
3. Movement
Assess active and passive movement, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation and external rotation. Internal rotation is often the first movement limited in hip pathology.
4. Completion
To complete the examination, assess gait if not already done and examine the knee and lumbosacral spine because pain may be referred.
Preparation
Inspection
Palpation
Movement
Completion