Measurement of hip range of flexion-extension and straight-leg raising.
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 degrees-140 degrees ) and extension (5 degrees-40 degrees ). 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.
Elson
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RA
Lower Limb Arthroplasty Unit, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield S5 7AU, UK. reginald.elson@btinternet.com
Aspinall
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GR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007866:Leg; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012016:Reference Values; D016683:Supine Position