FABER (Patrick's) test
Positioning the hip in flexion, abduction, and external rotation and noting pain location helps distinguish hip joint pain from sacroiliac joint pain.
Hip assessment typically begins with observation of gait and posture, followed by active and passive range of motion testing to identify restriction patterns common in osteoarthritis or impingement.
A series of special tests then helps localize symptoms to the joint, labrum, or specific tendons, while a brief screen rules out referred pain from the lower back or, rarely, more serious pathology.
Assessment tests
FADIR test
Bringing the hip into flexion, adduction, and internal rotation reproduces anterior groin pain in impingement or labral pathology.
Trendelenburg test
Standing on one leg and observing whether the opposite pelvis drops assesses the strength and control of the gluteus medius.
Resisted hip flexion test
Resisting active hip flexion from a seated position can reproduce pain associated with iliopsoas-related groin pain.
Passive range-of-motion screen
Comparing passive internal and external rotation to the opposite side helps identify the capsular restriction typical of osteoarthritis.
Red flags
These warrant prompt clinical review rather than unsupervised exercise progression.
Inability to bear weight after trauma
A sudden inability to bear weight on the leg following a fall, particularly in older adults, raises concern for hip fracture and warrants urgent evaluation.
Fever with hip pain
Hip pain accompanied by fever raises concern for joint infection, especially in children, and requires prompt medical assessment.
Unexplained weight loss with deep hip or groin pain
These features can occasionally indicate a non-musculoskeletal cause and should be assessed by a physician.
Sudden severe pain with a snap or pop
A sudden pop or snap followed by severe pain and inability to continue activity may indicate a significant muscle or tendon tear requiring evaluation.
This combination of gait observation, joint-specific tests, and muscle function screening allows clinicians to distinguish joint, tendon, and muscular causes of hip pain in most straightforward cases.
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