Hip Orthopaedic Test: Hip Quadrant Test

The Hip Quadrant Test is a hip joint provocation test used to assess symptom response during combined hip flexion, adduction, internal rotation and compression. A positive finding may increase suspicion of intra-articular hip involvement when it reproduces familiar groin or hip symptoms. Current evidence suggests hip physical examination tests for intra-articular pathology vary in accuracy and should not be used as stand-alone diagnostic tools.

Introduction

A client reports deep anterior hip or groin pain during squatting, pivoting and getting in and out of a car. Hip range of motion shows some discomfort near flexion and internal rotation. The Hip Quadrant Test may help assess whether combined hip compression and rotation reproduces familiar symptoms.

The test can be useful for symptom mapping, but it should not be described as confirming a labral tear, femoroacetabular impingement or any other intra-articular condition.

Quick Summary

Test name: Hip Quadrant Test
Also known as: Hip Scour Test in some settings
Body region: Hip
Purpose: Assess hip joint symptom response under compression and rotation
Commonly associated with: Intra-articular hip irritation, labral pathology, femoroacetabular impingement-related symptoms, joint surface irritation
Positive finding: Familiar hip or groin pain, clicking, catching or apprehension during the movement arc
Negative finding: No familiar symptoms during the test
Best used with: Hip ROM, FADIR, FABER, gait, squat, history, symptom behaviour and imaging when relevant
Key limitation: Diagnostic accuracy varies and the test does not confirm intra-articular pathology

What Is the Hip Quadrant Test?

The Hip Quadrant Test is a passive hip provocation test. The examiner moves the hip through flexion, adduction, internal rotation and sometimes broader arcs while applying controlled axial compression through the femur.

The aim is to assess whether the movement reproduces familiar hip or groin symptoms.

Why It Is Used

The test is used to explore hip joint symptom behaviour and identify whether combined compression and rotation reproduces the client’s familiar symptoms.

It may help guide decisions about whether further hip assessment, load modification, movement testing or medical imaging may be relevant.

What It Assesses

The test assesses symptom response to combined hip joint compression and rotation. It does not isolate the labrum, cartilage, femoral head-neck junction or capsule.

Who It Is Useful For

This test may be useful for active clients, athletes, gym clients and clients with deep hip or groin symptoms aggravated by squatting, pivoting, running, cutting, sitting or loaded hip flexion.

When to Use This Test

Use this test when symptoms suggest possible hip joint involvement and passive hip movement can be performed safely.

When Not to Use or When to Be Cautious

Use caution with irritable hip pain, suspected fracture, acute traumatic injury, severe guarding, recent surgery, known advanced hip pathology or symptoms that are easily flared.

Equipment Required

Treatment table
Pain scale
Measurz recording workflow
Optional hip ROM notes
Optional comparison side notes

Step-by-Step Protocol / Practice

Setup

Position the client supine on a treatment table.

Client position

The client lies relaxed with both legs supported.

Examiner position

Stand on the side being tested.

Hand placement

Support the client’s knee and distal leg. The other hand may stabilise the pelvis or guide the femur.

Stabilisation

Stabilise the pelvis and control the femur to avoid uncontrolled movement.

Movement or force direction

Flex the hip, apply gentle axial compression through the femur, then move the hip through adduction/internal rotation and a controlled quadrant arc.

Instructions

Ask the client to report pain, clicking, catching, pinching, apprehension and whether symptoms are familiar.

Positive finding

A positive test is reproduction of familiar hip or groin pain, mechanical symptoms or apprehension during the compressed movement arc.

Negative finding

A negative test is no reproduction of familiar symptoms.

Stopping criteria

Stop if pain increases sharply, guarding occurs, symptoms spread or the client does not tolerate the position.

Safety notes

Use controlled movement and avoid forcing end range.

Positive and Negative Test Interpretation

A positive Hip Quadrant Test may increase suspicion of hip joint involvement when it reproduces the client’s familiar deep hip or groin symptoms. Clicking or catching may add context, but mechanical symptoms are not specific enough to confirm a labral tear.

A negative test may reduce suspicion when history and other hip tests are also not suggestive. However, it does not exclude intra-articular hip pathology, particularly when symptoms are intermittent or provoked by sport-specific positions.

Sensitivity, Specificity and Diagnostic Accuracy

Recent evidence on physical examination tests for prearthritic intra-articular hip pathology suggests that test accuracy varies by test, population, reference standard and study quality. A 2025 systematic review reported ongoing uncertainty around the diagnostic accuracy of hip physical examination tests for conditions such as labral pathology, femoroacetabular impingement and microinstability.

For the exact Hip Quadrant Test variation, high-quality 2020+ sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratio values appear limited. Therefore, no diagnostic accuracy values are listed here.

Reliability and Validity

Reliability depends on consistent hip position, compression force, movement arc, symptom criteria and examiner technique. Because the test is symptom-based and force-dependent, results can vary between examiners.

Common Errors and Limitations

Common errors include forcing the hip into painful end range, failing to ask whether symptoms are familiar, interpreting clicking alone as positive, using excessive compression, not comparing sides and treating the test as diagnostic.

Limitations include poor structural specificity, variable protocols and symptom overlap with extra-articular hip, lumbar, pelvic or tendon-related presentations.

Practical Applications

Use the Hip Quadrant Test to document symptom behaviour during combined hip loading. It is most useful when paired with hip ROM, FADIR, FABER, gait, squat, strength testing and history.

How to Record This in Measurz

Record test name, side tested, result, pain score, symptom location, symptom quality, hip position, movement direction, compression used, familiar symptom reproduction, comparison side, irritability, confidence in result, compensations and reason for stopping.

Add related findings such as hip flexion, internal rotation, squat symptoms, gait findings and other hip special tests.

Related Tests / Internal Links

FADIR Test
FABER Test
Hip Internal Rotation Test
Hip External Rotation Test
McCarthy Test
Straight Leg Raise Test
Squat Assessment

FAQs

What does the Hip Quadrant Test assess?

It assesses hip symptom response during combined compression and rotation.

Is the Hip Quadrant Test the same as the Scour Test?

The terms are sometimes used similarly, but protocols vary. Record the exact method used.

What is a positive Hip Quadrant Test?

Reproduction of familiar hip or groin symptoms during the compressed movement arc.

Can it confirm a labral tear?

No. It may support suspicion but does not confirm a labral tear.

Key Takeaways

The Hip Quadrant Test is a symptom provocation test.
A positive finding may suggest hip joint involvement but is not diagnostic.
Protocol and symptom criteria must be recorded clearly.
Use it with history, ROM and other assessment findings.

References

Martin, R. L., Enseki, K. R., & Draovitch, P. (2020). Evidence-informed management of hip-related pain and intra-articular hip pathology. Needs verification.

Packer, J. D., et al. (2025). Sensitivity and specificity for physical examination tests in diagnosing prearthritic intra-articular hip pathology: A systematic review. Journal of Hip Preservation Surgery. Needs verification.

Sogbein, O. A., Shah, A., Kay, J., et al. (2020). Update on evidence-based diagnosis and treatment of acetabular labral tears. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, 13, 763–772. Needs verification.