Test: Janda's Hip Abduction

Video Link

Background/Purpose

Procedure

The purpose of the hip abduction test is to determine the preferred recruitment pattern and assess the quality of the lateral muscular bracing complex which is seen in the loading phase of gait. This accounts for the Trendelenberg sign but in a non-weight bearing method. Patient is placed in a side-lying position with the bottom leg bent and head supported. Without toucing the patient, instruct them to “Lift your leg to the ceiling”. A passing test is achieved if the following occur: 1)Hip abducts to 20 degrees, 2)leg stays in frontal plane 3)Leg/hip does not rotate. A failed test occurs if 1) the pelvis abducts or elevates (indicating a tight quadratus lumborum), 2) Hip flexion occurs indicating a tight TFL, 3)External rotation of the hipp occurs indicating tight or overactive external rotators(piriformis et al), 4) Decreased ROM indicating tight adductors or weak abductors.
Performed: Unilaterally

Dialog

Patient lays on side and abducts hip to ceiling.

Criteria

• Motion occurs at hip joint in frontal plane

Measurement

LOINC Code

0

Scale/Grading

Pass/Fail